New coalition to promote powerlines as grid modernisation tool

The Advancing Modern Powerlines (AMP) Coalition has been formed in the US to further the use of advanced conductors and high-temperature superconductors in the grid.

The new industry coalition, which has been formed by manufacturers CTC Global, TS Conductor and VEIR, is aimed to focus on promoting the use of high-capacity conductors as a tool for increasing grid capacity, resilience, reliability and energy efficiency.

With the passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act and current FERC proceedings on transmission planning and generator interconnection, demands on the grid will accelerate in the years ahead, the coalition founders state.

Thus, this is a key moment for the conductor industry to work together and with other clean energy organisations to advance the clean energy transition by promoting reconductoring, replacement and ‘right-sizing’ of new and existing transmission infrastructure.

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A dedicated coalition also is anticipated to be a valuable tool for creating a bigger market in the US for high-capacity conductors and providing greater access and legitimacy in regulatory discussions than a single company.

The US grid is currently based on century-old technology, with an estimated 70% of transmission and distribution lines approaching 50 years in age. Like other countries, the US also is expected to need to approximately double its grid capacity to meet future demand.

J.D. Sitton, CEO of CTC Global, says that modern conductor technologies are game-changers in reducing the carbon intensity of the grid.

“They can be deployed quickly and can reduce the cost and improve the reliability of moving to a renewables-based energy system.”

Jason Huang, CEO of TS Conductor, states that creating a modernised US power grid is an urgent priority.

“We believe that the AMP Coalition and the technology of its members can jumpstart the rapid change required for a better performing grid.”

Tim Heidel, CEO of VEIR, adds that the company is looking forward to working with the AMP Coalition “to promote deployment of innovative transmission line solutions into the existing grid in a safe and reliable manner that benefits electricity customers”.

A specific focus of the AMP Coalition will be on shifting the current regulatory framework from ‘least cost requirements’ to a net benefits framework, which should accelerate grid modernisation and technology deployment, offsetting the risk to customers associated with the higher initial costs and avoiding the diminishing investor-owned utilities’ financial incentive to invest in ‘right-sizing’ projects.

Advanced conductors have carbon and/or composite cores, instead of the steel wire cores used for conventional conductors, enabling greater transmission capacity and maintaining better performance at higher operating temperatures.