|
|
|
Smart Grid and ACCC Conductor
The U.S. Department of Energy defines Smart Grid as "an electrical grid that uses computers and other technology to gather and act on information, such as information about the behaviors of suppliers and consumers, in an automated fashion to improve the efficiency, reliability, economics, and sustainability of the production and distribution of electricity."
While gathering information about the behaviors of suppliers and consumers seem to be the recommended mechanisms to improve efficiency, reliability, economics and sustainability, it also seems that the focus is directed more to the generation and demand sides of the grid than it does with the grid itself.
Over the last several decades, utilities have spent billions of dollars improving the efficiency of generation to reduce production costs. In recent years the focus has been on the demand side, through the use of Energy Star rated appliances, more efficient lighting, various economic incentives and sophisticated metering, among other things.
Surprisingly we seem to forget that 8 to 10 percent of all energy generated is lost during transmission and distribution. Imagine if that number could be reduced by 30% or more.
The ACCC conductor's added aluminum content - without any weight penalty compared to any other bare overhead conductor of the same size - (meaning no expensive structural modifications are required to perform the upgrade), allows such a reduction, today.
From a global perspective, more than 1.4 trillion kWh hours are lost during the transmission of electricity every year. If that number was reduced by one-third using ACCC conductor on the grid today, 466,620,000 MWh could potentially be saved every year. That is the energy equivalent of 53,267 MW, which is the generation required to power nearly 48 million American homes.
From an oil-energy perspective, at a Btu conversion rate of 42 percent, a one-third reduction in line losses would save the energy equivalent of 1.9 billion barrels of oil annually. That's a potential energy savings of over 5.2 million barrels of oil per day, just by replacing a conventional steel reinforced overhead conductor with a more efficient composite core conductor of the same diameter and weight. The potential energy savings could have a profound impact on society, our resources and the environment.
As it relates to line loss reductions and CO2 emissions, using the combined US national average CO2 generation of 1.372 lbs per kWh (for all sources of energy including coal, natural gas, nuclear, wind, solar, geothermal, etc., combined), a one-third reduction in line losses offered by the ACCC conductor would equate to a reduction of 1.2 trillion metric tons of CO2 annually, which is comparable to removing 55.8 million cars from the road.
If you are involved in transmission line planning or engineering, please consider these important facts. A Smart Grid must also be an Efficient Grid. To learn more, please contact CTC Global. (Click Here) |
|
Recent Articles & News - ACCC Conductor
|
|
Proven Reliability at over 220 Project Sites
The ACCC conductor's outstanding performance has allowed utilities worldwide to exploit its unique advantages while saving millions of dollars delivering more power, more efficiently, with reduced line losses, decreased fuel consumption and reduced generation emissions. To learn more about how the ACCC conductor can work for you, please visit our website at
www.ctcglobal.com |
|
|
|
|
Please Join CTC at the
Cigre Grid of the Future Symposium
October 28th - 30th 2012
Kansas City, Missouri USA
For More Information
|
|
New CCP Software
Makes ACCC Conductor
Selection Easy
Responding to an ever-increasing demand to help select the most appropriate size of the highest performing ACCC conductor available, CTC Global has developed a new software program, CCP.
The program is available at no charge to utility planners, transmission engineers and others involved in conductor selection, project engineering and project economics. Using the design parameters associated with your specific project, CCP can calculate and compare ampacity, sag, tension, line losses, and the economics associated with the reduction in thermal sag and line losses the ACCC conductor offers compared to any other conductor of the same diameter and weight.
To receive a free copy of CCP, or to request help with your project, please visit CTC Global's website for more information.
CLICK HERE
|
|
ACCC Engineering Manual
To help T&D planners, engineers, and technicians take full advantage of the ACCC conductor's attributes, CTC Global has published a 250 page Engineering Manual. Contact CTC Global today to request a copy.
CLICK HERE
|
|
CTC Global at Your Service
CTC Global's staff consists of dozens of individuals whose varied skill sets help us deliver the highest quality products and services, worldwide.
In this issue, we'd like to acknowledge Carlos Pena, Facility Manager at CTC Global.
Carlos has helped keep our 100,000+ square foot production facility running smoothly for the last nine years. From building additional office, manufacturing and lab space, to installing new equipment and maintaining HVAC, lighting and communication systems, Carlos has worked hard to help us succeed.
Additionally, with the help of Southern California Edison, Carlos reduced energy consumption by upgrading a number of facility components with more efficient devices and also saved CTC tens of thousands of dollars by doubling the capacity of our production equipment with virtually no added energy cost.
During his time off, Carlos spends time with his wife Mary Lou and his adult kids Gabriel and Carlos Jr. Once every month Carlos also helps "Doctors Without Borders" by providing medical service support to low income families in Mexico. Carlos is an outstanding employee, citizen and friend. We are very proud to have him on CTC Global's team. |
|
