How to Improve the Efficiency, Capacity and Reliability of the Grid with ACCC Conductor  

CTC GLOBAL
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Survey Results are in!
Thanks to everyone that took the time to participate!
 
The results were very informative:
  • 22% of the respondents have used ACCC
  • 52% have considered or designed a line with ACCC
  • 64% were not aware of the ACCC ULS heavy ice option
  • 74% were not aware of the 40% cost reduction (since 2005)
  • 83% said they would consider ACCC for new lines if it saved upfront capital costs. (Greater spans between fewer and/or shorter structures can have that effect due to the ACCC conductor's higher strength, reduced sag and excellent self-damping characteristics)
Less than 10% knew that 330 ACCC projects have  been completed to date. To see all of the survey results CLICK HERE
 
 
CTC Global Introduces High-Modulus 'ULS' ACCC Conductors for Long Spans and Heavy Ice Load Applications
In addition to nearly 60 standard ACCC conductor sizes ranging from ~150 to 1,400 mm^2 (~300 to 2,700 kcmils), CTC Global now offers additional conductor designs that are engineered to accommodate heavy ice loads and/or very long spans. While standard ACCC conductors are typically 25% stronger than comparable ACSR conductors, the fully annealed aluminum used with ACCC conductors contribute very little to overall conductor tensile strength. In fact, as with ACSS conductors, fully annealed aluminum will yield under relatively low tensile loads, so high-strength core characteristics are essential.

 

Though ACCC conductors in any given size generally offer higher overall tensile strengths compared to other conductor types - due to the ACCC conductor's exceptional core strength - the ACCC conductor's core is more elastic than steel and will temporarily stretch under heavy ice loads. While this elasticity prevents the ACCC conductor core from yielding (plastically and permanently deforming after periods of heavy loading), its elasticity does allow increased conductor sag under heavy ice load conditions. While the ACCC conductor offers excellent resistance to thermal sag under high electrical loads, heavy ice load sag is often the ruling design parameter.

 

To accommodate heavy ice load conditions found in colder climates, CTC Global has developed new conductor designs that increase the core modulus of elasticity from 112.3 GPa to 146.7 GPa (16.3 Msi to 21.3 Msi). This ~30% improvement can be further increased by incorporating larger diameter core sizes with very minimal impact on aluminum content or electrical performance. The same methodology is also being utilized to accommodate very long spans where high wind loads are also an important design criteria.

 

The tensile strength of the ULS core has also increased from 313 ksi to 375 ksi. For comparison, high-strength steel is 285 ksi.
 

ACCC ULS conductors have been installed at approximately two dozen projects to date.
 

 
Asia Clean Energy Summit discusses ACCC conductor
10th Annual Asian Clean Energy Forum Highlights the use of High- Capacity, Low-Sag Conductors

 

 

Earlier this month, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) hosted the 10th Annual Asia Clean Energy Forum at their headquarters in Manila, Philippines. This was the first time they included a 'deep-dive' meeting to discuss how High-Capacity, Low-Sag conductors such as ACCC are being used to improve grid efficiency, capacity and reliability.

 

Speakers included the Indonesian grid operator PLN who discussed the benefits they have achieved in past projects as well as future plans in Sumatra.  Malaysian grid operator TNB discussed the comparison of value propositions of different HCLS and HTLS conductors.  Other utility representatives shared their plans to incorporate HCLS / HTLS conductors into future projects.

 

ACCC conductors were represented in all of the utility presentations which represents a growing awareness of the value of HTLS/HCLS conductors in both new lines and reconductoring projects to expand capacity and increase the reliability and efficiency of the transmission network.  
ACSS vs ACCC Conductor
Why Over 130 Utilities in 30 Countries Have Selected ACCC
  • High Capacity
  • Low Sag
  • High Strength
  • Fatigue Resistant
  • Corrosion Resistant
  • Excellent Self Damping
  • Easy to Install
  • Great for Long Spans
  • Very Tough & Flexible
  • Extensively Lab & Field Tested
  • Excellent for N-1 Conditions
  • Reduced Line Losses & Emissions
  • Free's-up Generation Capacity that is Otherwise Lost

 

The ACCC Conductor's added aluminum content (without a weight or diameter penalty) allows it to run cooler under any load condition which translates into reduced line losses. Reduced line losses can save fuel, emissions and generation capacity.
 

The Bottom Line:
 

In more than 330 cases the ACCC conductor has provided more than 130 utilities the best economic solution for their specific project needs.  

 

CLICK HERE to view our interactive project map

 

 

CTC Global adds FAQ Section to its Website


As the recent survey points out, the perceptions of many transmission and distribution planners, designers and engineers regarding the ACCC conductor seem to vary to some degree. To help answer your questions we've added an FAQ page to our website. Please CLICK HERE  There are also other pages on the website where you can download various documents and reports. CLICK HERE As always, you can also direct any specific questions you might have to us by sending an e-mail to info@ctcglobal.com

Links to Recent Articles

Overview of ACCC Conductor Training, Installation and Operating Experience


With over 330 projects completed we have learned a lot. Our job is not only to help you learn the attributes of ACCC, its also to help keep your crews safe during installation. In an effort to share our knowledge base we have created a number of useful documents and training videos. To download a copy of "Overview of ACCC Conductor Training, Installation and Operating Experience"   CLICK HERE

Explore Our Video Library

 

Please take a look at our informative video library. You will find general overview material as well as testing and installation training videos. Please CLICK HERE 
Free Engineering Manual

To help Transmission and Distribution planners, engineers, policy makers, grid operators, technicians and others take full advantage of the ACCC conductor's attributes, CTC Global has published a 250 page Engineering Manual. It offers a very comprehensive set of design guidelines, case studies, figures and facts about conductors and composite materials, and includes links to additional resources and FAQ's, To download an electronic version please CLICK HERE 
 
If you would like to receive a hard copy please CLICK HERE
Free Engineering Software

CTC Global created CCP to help system planners and engineers compare the ampacity, line losses, thermal and ice load sag, and economic aspects of nearly any conductor type and size, so the numerous advantages of the ACCC conductor can be fully realized. The user simply selects the conductor types and sizes from drop down menus and enters the appropriate values & assumptions highlighted in the yellow boxes. The program is fully functional and uses standard industry formulas (such as IEEE 738-2006). Outputs are readily comparable to Sag10®, PLS CADD™ and other similar programs CLICK HERE

 

CTC Global proudly works with top-tier manufacturing partners worldwide

 

ACCC Conductor is an internationally patented and trademark registered product of CTC Global Corporation.  The ACCC conductor is manufactured in association with 20 qualified and licensed international stranding partners. If you are interested in the ACCC conductor, please contact CTC Global to make sure your supplier is authorized to produce and deliver ACCC conductor in your area.  Thank You. 

 

CTC Global Corporation 2026 McGaw Avenue, Irvine, California USA 92614
 

Telephone: +1 949 428 8500  

www.ctcglobal.com 

 

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