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White Papers
Advanced Conductor Use Accelerates Electric Grid Decarbonization and Modernization
In an analysis entitled NET-ZERO AMERICA Princeton University concluded that $1.1 trillion needs to be invested in the U.S. transmission grid through 2040 to reduce carbon emissions to zero by 2050. Recognizing the urgency, the recently enacted Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act invests about $16.5 billion in electric grid resiliency and flexibility upgrades and new transmission lines. As the Department of Energy begins to make these substantial investments, it is critical that the Department seize the opportunity to prioritize the installation of modern, high performance Advanced Conductors rather than inefficient legacy lines. To do otherwise would be shameful and would miss a significant opportunity to lower electric consumer’s bills and rapidly deploy clean energy generation.
Conductor Performance
Replacing conventional conductors such as aluminum conductor steel reinforced (ACSR) with one of the high temperature conductors such as aluminum conductor composite core (ACCC) or aluminum conductor steel supported (ACSS) of the same diameter can be a cost effective way to increase the transfer capacity of transmission lines. Maintaining the same conductor diameter makes it likely that existing structures can be used and with proper conductor selection and application ground clearances can normally be maintained.
Industry Reports
ADVANCED CONDUCTORS ON EXISTING TRANSMISSION CORRIDORS TO ACCELERATE LOW COST DECARBONIZATION
The U.S. transmission network needs to meet 21st century challenges with 21st century solutions. Decarbonization and clean energy procurement targets set by states, utilities, and corporations for the not-so-distant future will require high levels of new renewable energy capacity to be quickly and efficiently integrated onto the power grid. The large influx of generation will require an increase in overall system transmission capacity to manage its integration and to alleviate congestion and reliability issues that might arise. While new, large-scale transmission infrastructure will be key to enabling the clean energy transition, regulatory and planning obstacles often delay their construction for years or make the lines entirely impossible to build.
Manuals
ACCC® Maintenance and Repair Manual
The purpose of the ACCC® Conductor Maintenance and Repair Manual is to provide experienced personnel with guidelines, recommendations, and the requirements necessary to successfully Maintain and Repair ACCC® composite-core bare overhead line conductor and associated accessories.
ACCC® Conductor Installation Guidelines
The purpose of the ACCC® Conductor Installation Guidelines is to provide experienced personnel with guidelines, recommendations, and requirements necessary to successfully install the bare overhead composite-core ACCC® Conductor and Accessories.
Engineering Transmission Lines with High Capacity Low Sag ACCC® Conductors
The purpose of this document is to offer engineering and design guidelines specific to the use of ACCC conductors on electrical transmission lines so their electrical, mechanical, and cost attributes and benefits can be fully realized.