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CTC GLOBAL

HIGH PERFORMANCE CONDUCTORS FOR A LOW CARBON WORLD™

TOP STORY

How CTC Global’s ACCC® Conductor is Helping Utilities Prepare For and Endure Extreme Weather Events

As extreme weather events become more frequent and intense due to climate change, utilities worldwide are facing significant challenges in maintaining reliable power transmission. Traditional power lines, often made of aluminum reinforced with steel, are highly vulnerable to damage from severe storms, heatwaves, wildfires, and ice accumulation. These conditions can cause issues such as conductor sagging, where high temperatures cause traditional conductors to expand and droop, leading to power outages or fires. Similarly, strong winds, heavy ice, and wildfires can damage or topple power lines, resulting in widespread disruptions and costly repairs. To address these challenges, utilities are turning to advanced transmission technologies like CTC Global’s ACCC® Conductor. This innovative conductor is made from a composite core of carbon and glass fibers embedded in an epoxy matrix, providing significantly greater strength, durability, and efficiency compared to traditional power lines. The ACCC® Conductor is designed to withstand the mechanical stresses caused by extreme weather, reducing the risk of conductor failure, power outages, and fire hazards.

The ACCC® Conductor offers several key benefits for utilities facing the escalating threat of extreme weather. It operates at higher temperatures without sagging, ensuring power lines maintain proper tension even during heatwaves, which is especially critical for areas that experience extreme heat or high electricity demand. Additionally, the conductor has a lower electrical resistance, allowing it to transmit power more efficiently over long distances, reducing energy losses and helping utilities better manage their networks. In regions prone to wildfires, the ACCC® Conductor’s enhanced durability and reduced sagging help minimize the risk of sparks caused by power lines. Furthermore, its resistance to damage and ease of repair contribute to lower maintenance costs and faster restoration times following storms. With successful deployment in over 1,350 projects globally, including areas prone to hurricanes, wildfires, and ice storms, the ACCC® Conductor is proving to be a vital tool for enhancing grid resilience and ensuring a stable, secure power supply in the face of increasingly severe weather events.

TRENDING NEWS

The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) has passed a resolution advocating for the integration of Advanced Transmission Technologies (ATTs) to modernize the U.S. electricity grid and address challenges such as transmission congestion and rising electricity demand. Sponsored by Commissioner Doug Scott, the resolution urges Congress to allocate funding to support the deployment of technologies like Grid Enhancing Technologies (GETs) and High-Performance Conductors (HPCs) like CTC Global’s ACCC® Conductor. HPCs can improve grid resilience, reduce costs, and increase the capacity of existing infrastructure with short deployment timeframes. HPCs are time-tested and cost-effective solutions that provide a concrete solution to meet growing demand and accelerate the addition of new transmission that is both needed to ensure grid reliability and keep energy prices down. The resolution emphasizes the reconductoring with HPCs could double the capacity of existing transmission lines at approximately half the cost of building a new transmission line, and if deployed nationally could meet NERC’s 10-year peak load growth projections and, finding benefits to consumers from these technologies, supports continued federal funding for the wider deployment of ATTs. 

FERC Order 1920, issued in May 2024, addresses the evolving challenges of resource adequacy and the integration of renewable energy sources into the U.S. electricity grid. The order mandates that Regional Transmission Organizations (RTOs) and Independent System Operators (ISOs) develop long-term planning frameworks, taking into account future demand, renewable energy variability, and the use of advanced technologies, including Grid Enhancing Technologies (GETs) and Advanced Conductors. By encouraging the integration of these technologies, the order aims to improve grid reliability, reduce congestion, and better align supply with demand. It also emphasizes the need for comprehensive planning and stakeholder engagement to create a flexible, reliable grid.

As the demand for reliable and efficient electric power transmission escalates, the selection of conductors is pivotal for the success and cost-effectiveness of transmission projects. This article examines the implications of utilizing Advanced Conductors, focusing on ACCC® Conductors in contrast to traditional ACSR (Aluminum Conductor Steel Reinforced) conductors. We analyze various factors, including cost distributions, transmission capacity, installation considerations, and the broader economic impact associated with different voltage levels. The findings underscore the advantages of ACCC® Conductors in enhancing efficiency, providing additional capacity at a much lower cost and much faster than simply adding new lines, and reducing long-term operational costs. These advantages position ACCC® Conductors as a superior alternative for modern transmission infrastructure, providing solutions, reliability, and consumer cost savings that legacy conductors simply cannot match. 

FROM THE FIELD

10 ACCC^® Projects Recently Completed

92 ACCC^® Projects Under Construction

140+ ACCC^® Projects in the Queue

Tata Projects Limited, in partnership with the Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB), has successfully completed the 112-kilometer, 400 kV double-circuit Barapukuria-Bogra transmission line project. This $120 million greenfield initiative, which began in August 2023, was completed in a record 14 months without any incidents. The project involved the installation of ACCC® Dhaka-size conductor and hardware, with technical support from ACCC® Master Installers. It forms part of the broader Barapukuria-Bogra-Kaliakoir 400 kV transmission network, aimed at enhancing Bangladesh's high-voltage infrastructure and enabling future power imports from neighboring countries.

ACCC® Field Service Team (AKA ACCC Master Installers) at recent LA Clipper game. From back row left to right: Pradeep Verma (RSM, India), Eric Johnson (VP Field & Technical Services), Sean Prendergast (RSM, Europe), Rickey Hayes (RSM, North America), Sergio Chueng (Field Service Engineer), Justin Short (InfoCore Service Manager). Middle row: Ismael Dones (RSM, South America), Wynand De Lange (RSM, Africa & Middle East), Michael DeGuzman (Field Service Manager). Front: Mark Englinton (RSM, Southeast Asia). Nice to see the fellas enjoying some well deserved fun.

CTC Global was very pleased to host a very high-level group of transmission professionals from PG&E earlier this month to showcase our ISO certified production facility and ISO/IEC certified lab and talk about how PG&E can leverage ACCC® Conductor to improve their grid’s efficiency, capacity, reliability, and resilience. If your team is interested in visiting and discussing your project needs, please let us know. Our doors are always open and we are always happy to share our knowledge and offer our support to help ensure your project’s success. Thanks again to everyone from PG&E to take the time to visit us.

UPCOMING EVENTS

CTC Global invites you to join us at ELECRAMA 2025, the world’s largest T&D show and a key event in the electrical industry, taking place from Feb 22-26 at the India Expo Mart, Greater Noida, Delhi NCR, India. This year’s edition will focus on Women Empowerment in the Power Sector, alongside renewable energy, automation, and next-gen technologies.

With over 1,370 exhibitors and stakeholders from 120 countries, ELECRAMA is the perfect platform to discover the latest innovations and connect with industry leaders. Visit us at our booth to learn about our cutting-edge power transmission solutions.

We look forward to seeing you there!

RECENT EVENTS

On November 12, 2024, the summit brought together energy, technology, and policy leaders to discuss solutions for modernizing the electric grid amid rising demand and new challenges.

J.D Sitton, CTC Global's CEO took part in the “Case Studies in Grid-Enhancing Technologies (GETs) Implementation” session, where he showcased CTC Global’s ACCC® Conductor technology. This Advanced Conductor helps utilities increase grid capacity and efficiency without major infrastructure upgrades. By using a composite core, ACCC® Conductors support load growth, renewable integration, and grid reliability. “CTC Global’s ACCC® Technology is key to enhancing grid performance while minimizing costs and environmental impact,” said Sitton. The summit explored how new technologies, like AI and grid innovations, can address transmission challenges, with keynote speakers including Governor Glenn Youngkin and leaders from Google and Dominion Energy.

The 2024 Annual CIGRE Canada Conference on Power Systems brought together key players in the electric power sector, including business leaders, system operators, manufacturers, engineers, policymakers, regulators, and academics. This year’s central theme, "Addressing the Challenges and Opportunities of an Accelerated Energy Transition," focused on the pressing issues and potential solutions as the industry adapted to rapid changes in energy demands and technologies. CTC Global and their manufacturing partner Lamifil actively participated in the conference, contributing valuable insights and expertise, and engaging in discussions that fostered collaboration and innovation. The event provided a platform for participants to share strategies for navigating the evolving landscape of power systems. CTC Global’s Richard Brody and Tyson Harper of Hardline Engineering presented a paper about the CETO project in Alberta. In this project, just before construction, the AESO and utilities AltaLink and ATCO substituted ACCC® Conductor for ACSR in a new line to address larger than expected generation growth in this long-planned project – increasing capacity by 65% while keeping the project on schedule and on budget. This reconductoring of a line before it was built (“pre-conductoring”) could be a quick and inexpensive way to increase capacity on other projects in late planning stages.

CTC Global was proud to participate as a silver sponsor at the 2024 Grid of the Future™ Symposium, hosted by the CIGRE US National Committee in Raleigh, NC, from November 11-14. This year’s theme, "Technology for the 21st Century Electric Utility," focused on innovations in generation, transmission, distribution, and smart grid technologies. CTC Global joined industry experts and leaders to discuss cutting-edge solutions like Advanced Conductors and Reconductoring Technologies. Attendees had the opportunity to connect at networking events for NGN and Women in Energy. It was a great experience, and we look forward to future opportunities to collaborate!

RECENTLY PUBLISHED REPORTS

At the recent NARUC Annual Meeting, Johannes Pfeifenberger from Brattle emphasized that ensuring cost-effective transmission is vital for supporting affordable state electricity policies. While the task is challenging, he highlighted that proactive transmission planning, cost controls, and the integration of Advanced Conductors can make this goal achievable.

Moderated by Hon. Andrew French of Kansas, the panel included experts like Aubrey Johnson (MISO), Neil Millar (CAISO), Karen Onaran (ELCON), and Hon. Pat Scully (Maine). They discussed the importance of modernizing transmission infrastructure to support the growing integration of renewable energy while controlling costs. Pfeifenberger specifically pointed out the role of Advanced Conductors, such as CTC Global’s ACCC® Conductor, which can enhance grid capacity, reduce congestion, and improve efficiency, ultimately helping to lower transmission costs and support the energy transition.

As the European Union faces multifaceted challenges and opportunities ahead, the Centre on Regulation in Europe (CERRE) presents a comprehensive white paper detailing strategic regulatory recommendations for the upcoming EU legislature. This paper, titled “Ambitions for Europe 2024-2029: Harnessing regulation to boost the Twin Transition,” is a forward-looking document that aims to shape the future of EU policy across the tech, energy, and mobility sectors.

In this White Paper, renowned CERRE academics outline nine key ambitions for the EU to achieve by 2029, emphasizing the need for robust, resilient, and future-proof regulatory frameworks addressing both cross-sectoral challenges and specific sectoral ambitions in Technology, Media & Telecommunications, Energy & Sustainability, and Mobility

ON DEMAND RECORDINGS

Join us for an on-demand webinar reflecting on insights from the power transmission landscape, focusing on Advanced Conductors like ACCC® Conductors. You'll learn how these conductors can increase capacity by delivering more amps using existing structures, explore efficient utility installation and maintenance practices that enhance project completion and asset reliability, and understand how adopting ACCC® Conductors can give your utility a competitive edge in economic development opportunities.

CTC Global proudly partners with over 35 manufacturers. View All Partners

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