CTC Global Corporation, TS Conductor and VEIR form AMP Coalition to promote high-capacity conductors
Together, CTC Global Corporation, TS Conductor and VEIR Inc. formed a new coalition last week dubbed Advancing Modern Powerlines (AMP) – an endeavor focused on use of advanced conductors and high temperature superconductors to improve the grid.
Both items are types of modern electric conductors, and the coalition sees them as a way to meet increasing demands to the grid owed to federal changes, transmission planning and generator interconnection alike. Reconductoring, replacement and so-called right-sizing of new and existing transmission infrastructure are key in their eyes, given that the majority of transmission and distribution lines are nearing 50 years in service. By contrast, something like the TS Conductor technology could, according to Dr. Jason Huang, CEO of TS Conductor, handle three times the capacity of traditional wires.
VEIR touted a similar success for its overhead superconducting transmission lines.
“VEIR AC overhead superconducting transmission lines offer up to a five-fold increase in power flow capacity relative to copper- and aluminum-based conductors, at a given voltage level,” Tim Heidel, CEO of VEIR, said. “This means that VEIR can add much-needed transfer capacity to the grid without triggering as many or as onerous and time-consuming siting and permitting requirements as projects that require new or expanded corridors.”
Collectively, AMP will seek a bigger market for modernized, high-capacity conductors in the U.S. Otherwise, its members fear, the U.S. will be unable to double its grid capacity by the mid-2030s, leaving it unable to face demands.
“Modern conductor technologies are game-changers in reducing the carbon intensity of the grid,” J.D. Sitton, CTC Global’s CEO, said. “They can be deployed quickly and can reduce the cost and improve the reliability of moving to a renewables-based energy system.”
By right-sizing, the allies suggested that more clean resources would be able to interconnect to the grid, replacing older assets with more effective technology, building out grid capacity and making a more reliable grid overall. Part of this will mean shifting the current electric industry regulatory framework, though, moving from least cost requirements to a net benefits framework. This, AMP members said, would allow for accelerated modernization and deployment, offsetting risks to ratepayers from the higher initial costs and avoid the financial incentives for investor-owned utilities.
