Question

What are the advantages of high-capacity, low-sag conductors? As of 2013, how many electric utilities in the world had deployed high-capacity, low-sag conductor technology?

Short answer

The advantages of high capacity log sag conductor is established and more than 100 such utilities has been established in 25 countries till now.

Step-by-step solution

 Step 1:Define energy policy act of 2005

After the 2003 blackout, the Energy Policy Act of 2005 was established as a mechanism of motivating utilities to invest in grid improvements and use new technologies, such as high-capacity low-sag conductors, in order to increase the efficiency, reliability, and capacity of the system.

Write the advantages and determine the number of utilities

1. To decrease conductor sag, enhance line capacity, and lower line losses, these contemporary conductors utilize technology derived from aerospace. The impact of reducing line losses is equivalent to that of adding new generation.

2. As a result, the economics of incorporating these technologies into the grid are quite attractive, particularly as it is rare for existing structures to need to be modified to make room for the new wire.

3. To support additional generation and increasing demand, AEP is now deploying a new high-capacity, low-sag conductor to boost the capacity of 240 circuit miles of a 345kV line close to Corpus Christi, Texas.

The technology has been used in over 250 projects by more than 100 different utilities in more than 25 countries for similar reasons.