Development of a composite-reinforced aluminum conductor
Fact sheet written for the Inventions and Innovation Program about a new composite-reinforced aluminum conductor for utility transmission and distribution. The millions of people affected by a blackout in the western US, Canada, and parts of Mexico in July 1996 had no idea the power outage was caused by overloaded transmission lines sagging low enough to touch trees. Millions of New Englanders affected by power outages during the 1997--98 winter probably weren't aware that accumulations of ice and snow on transmission lines had caused the lines to snap. Yet, these two examples illustrate the urgent need to begin upgrading this country's aging electrical-power distribution systems. A key step in this process lies in improving the weight and conductivity characteristics of utility transmission and distribution lines. Conventional conductors used for overhead transmission and distribution lines are comprised of aluminum strands of wire wrapped around a steel core. The aluminum serves as the electrical conductor, while the steel provides mechanical support. This hybrid design results in an excellent weight-to-conductivity ratio, but it also yields a heavier product, which requires stronger and more costly support structures and limits conductivity. W. Brandt Goldsworthy and Associates, Inc., of Torrance, California, is developing a new composite-reinforced aluminum conductor to replace aging steel-core lines. The new composite conductor is lighter, stronger, and carries a higher current capacity than traditional power lines. The technology has been designed primarily for domestic utility transmission and distribution systems. This application takes the highest priority as utility deregulation continues to increase the demand for direct-power access. Subsequent applications exist through opportunities in the industrial power, building wire, telecommunications and data transmission, and high-temperature superconductor markets. Similar applications overseas also represent tremendous potential, with growth projected at 10 times that of the United States market.
- Research Organization:
- National Renewable Energy Lab., Golden, CO (US)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- US Department of Energy (US)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC36-99GO10337
- OSTI ID:
- 752371
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/GO-10099-841; NREL/FS-330-26782
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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