Financial Impacts of Replacing Old Transmission Lines with Aluminum Composite Core Conductors

Abstract

Driven by the deregulation of power utilities, power lines are nowadays used to send more electric energy through longer distances to end consumers, compared to previous decades. Over the years, there have been various technical proposals for the improvement of old transmission conductors, with a goal of increasing its ampacity, as well as increasing the reliability of the power system as a whole. Aluminum Conductor Composite Core (ACCC) is the result of an interdisciplinary mission to engineer more efficient lines, using state-of-the-art components that result in significant financial savings for the operators who decide to entrust such a new technology. This paper deals with a comparative analysis of the financial impacts that advanced conductor technologies represent versus standard conductors. The primary focus of this paper is the reconductoring of existing overhead transmission lines using old corridors, contrary to erecting new lines. In the end, an extensive cost comparison example is given to demonstrate the various aspects of revitalization with ACCC conductors.