Fibre-optic integration with InfoCore enhances sustainability

Intensifying advanced technologies are changing the way power transmission is utilised. David B. Chiesa, Vice President of Global Sales and Business Development, at CTC Global, highlights how we can enhance efficiency and support global sustainability efforts with innovative collaborations.

Congratulations on your new facility. How has the support from government bodies and partners facilitated its success in India?

Setting up our facility in India was made smoother due to the support from our partners and various government bodies. The Indian government, at the state and local levels, provided constructive guidance and support throughout the process. We have seen significant success in India, with a growing need for our products. Our focus will be to enhance the transmission system and address the distribution system’s constraints as they arise.

How has advanced reconductoring been applied to increase transmission line capacity worldwide?

The concept of taking an existing transmission line and increasing its capacity by changing the conductor without modifying anything except the conductor is relatively recent. We have collaborated with customers in India, which has led to the concept of advanced reconductoring. The technology is used worldwide. We have 175,000 kilometres of these lines, and most are advanced reconductor projects that started in India.

A notable example is a project in Canada that used the ACCC conductor and advanced reconductoring to double the capacity without actually building the original line. This innovative solution demonstrated how advanced conductors could be effectively utilised to manage growing demand. Our ACCC conductors have a significantly lower thermal coefficient of sag than legacy conductors. They sag less and, therefore, do not sway in the wind, reducing the right-of-way size and allowing for longer spans between towers.

The field of power transmission is becoming increasingly exciting with advancements like renewable energy integration, hydrogen technology, and dynamic line ratings. These developments provide opportunities to enhance the power grid quickly and efficiently. For instance, accurate prediction of transmission line performance through dynamic line ratings is an advancement that helps better manage the grid.

How do solutions reduce power loss and enhance power transmission?

Our ACCC conductors double the capacity of existing conductors without increasing their size or weight. This results in 30% better efficiency and 1/10th of the sag over the conductor’s lifetime. This substantial improvement helps utilities manage their grids more effectively, providing reliable power transmission and reducing losses.

How has aerospace technology been utilised to enhance the capacity of overhead conductors?

The key lies in applying aerospace technology, specifically carbon fibre composites, to overhead conductors. These composites are used in aeroplane wings and are 50% stronger and 70% lighter than steel. We replaced the steel in the conductor with this composite and increased the aluminium content, enhancing capacity.

How do you see the role of your technology evolving in the context of global efforts to contribute to sustainability?

CTC Global plays a crucial role in combating climate change. Our technology allows for faster integration of renewable energy into the grid, essential as renewable plants can be built much quicker than traditional power plants. Our conductors are efficient, and they lose less power during transmission. This means more of the generated power reaches its destination, reducing the energy required and thus contributing to sustainability.

One of our recent launches is InfoCore, a technology that integrates fibre optics into the core of the ACCC conductor. This makes our conductor inspectable, allowing utilities to verify correct installation and ensure long-term reliability. We have already installed 5,500 kilometres of this conductor. We aim to continue enhancing grid efficiency and reliability, helping to combat climate change by facilitating quicker integration of renewable energy sources and improving overall grid efficiency.

What are your thoughts on improving the quality of power in India, given the frequent voltage fluctuations?

Increasing local generation capacity can help stabilise the grid by providing more localised power sources. Our technology can contribute by reducing losses and increasing efficiency, thereby helping to mitigate some of the issues related to voltage fluctuations. However, addressing this problem will require ongoing investments and innovations in grid infrastructure and management.

Digitalisation, including IoT and advanced monitoring technologies, enables better real-time management and predictive power infrastructure maintenance, leading to more efficient and reliable power transmission and distribution.

What are the latest advancements in power transmission technology?

The industry is developing by using renewable energy sources more effectively. Advances in hydrogen technology and transmissions are needed to predict the whereabouts of power line conditions. These innovations are reshaping how we manage and use electrical systems.

Advanced reconductoring is a new way to upgrade existing power lines by changing the conductors, significantly increasing their capacity without altering the infrastructure. This technique, developed through collaboration in India, is now used worldwide. Using advanced conductors like ACCC boosts capacity while maintaining the same physical structure. 

How does your company aim to enhance the efficiency and reliability of power transmission infrastructure?

Our main goal is to make power transmission more efficient and reliable. For example, our technology upgrades traditional power lines to handle more electricity without changing their size. This means less energy is wasted and a longer-lasting infrastructure. It is a big step forward for utilities trying to manage growing energy needs.

How are you planning to bring advanced technologies into the power grid? 

India needs more electricity as its economy grows. We plan to work closely with local partners to introduce our advanced technologies. By strengthening the power grid and supporting renewable energy goals, we aim to help meet India’s energy demands effectively.

How can we ensure consistent power quality from transmission to homes and businesses? 

Maintaining stable power quality is a big challenge. It involves increasing power generation in critical areas, upgrading the grid, and using advanced monitoring technology. By doing this, electricity flows smoothly and reliably at its destination.

By using aerospace technology, such as carbon fibre composites, ACCC conductors of CTC Global significantly improve efficiency and capacity. This technology helps to integrate renewable energy quickly while making the power grid more reliable and sustainable. With the help of digital tools and strong partnerships, the future of power transmission looks bright. CTC Global is dedicated to ongoing innovation and sustainability, aiming to make the power grid even more efficient and reliable in the future.