IEEE Power and Energy Society
	Phoenix Chapter

Summary:

The need to deliver larger amounts of power, with high reliability and performance is a current and pressing requirement of the electric utility industry. Increasing electrical loads, congestion and emergency capacity requirements are creating problems that the transmission grid was never designed to handle. One solution to these challenges is the use of the new generation of high temperature–low sag conductors such as Aluminum Conductor Composite Reinforced (ACCR), which can enable transmission lines to carry up to 2 to 3 times the load of a standard cable, with less sag and few, if any, tower modifications. Aluminum Conductor Composite Reinforced (ACCR), represents the first major change in overhead conductors since the conventional aluminum-steel reinforced conductor (ACSR) was introduced in the early 20th century. The conductor relies upon a core made from metal matrix composite wires surrounded by high-temperature aluminum wires. This material has been specifically developed for high-temperature overhead conductor applications. The material is as strong as steel with lower electrical resistance and a coefficient of thermal expansion less than steel or aluminum. ACCR can be installed as a replacement conductor on existing right-of-ways, with little or no modifications to existing towers or foundations. This additional capacity and increased efficiency, permits the upgrade of transmission capacity with minimal environmental impacts, avoiding difficult and lengthy permitting and reduced outage times. The new conductor can help solve transmission bottlenecks, especially restricted power flows associated with operating lines at high temperatures Test facilities have performed a wide range of field and laboratory testing and have collected, analyzed and published extensive data on the conductor and accessories. Several U.S. utilities have installed and are operating ACCR on transmission lines in their networks. These field installations cover a variety of geographic and wind and ice loading areas including areas with heavy ice loading and lines experiencing very high current loads. The presentation will review the testing and qualification of ACCR conductors and report on a recent commercial application and installation in the Phoenix area. 42 persons attended, including three students and eight GOLD members.

Biographies:

Dr. Colin McCullough is a Materials Scientist at 3M with over 20 years experience in composite materials. Dr McCullough is the lead scientist associated with the testing, qualification and commercial applications of ACCR conductors for overhead transmission. He has written over 30 articles and holds 12 patents. Juan Gutierrez, Jr. is a Graduate of New Mexico State University. He has been working with Arizona Public Service Co since 1985. Juan has worked in T&D Engineering and Standards for 19 years with various material responsibilities, including wire and cable.

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