How to Improve the Efficiency, Capacity and Reliability of the Grid with ACCC Conductor  

CTC GLOBAL
ACCC conductor deployed in Mozambique

Earlier this month, Bouygues Construction, based in France, completed the installation of 523.4 mm^2 (1033 kcmil) ACCC ULS Curlew conductor in Tete, Mozambique. The 'Ultra Low Sag' ULS ACCC conductor was selected for the project due to its high strength (375 ksi) core and thermal stability, as the conductor was used to cross a 1.5 km section of the Zambezi River. The project, officially known as the Mutambo - Moatzie 220 kV River Crossing, marks the 351st ACCC conductor installation worldwide, the second project in Mozambique, and the 5th project completed in Africa.
 
The main span was 1,587.5 meters long between 156 meter tall lattice structures - the tallest transmission structures in southern Africa. Bouygues Construction, the EPC firm, is a major player in the construction industry with projects that include the Baluarte Bridge in Mexico, the Sports Hub in Singapore, the Tower First at La Défense in France and many others.
 
Mr. Wynand de Lange, a highly experienced ACCC installation supervisor, assisted Bouygues for CTC Global. Lamifil N.V. of Belgium provided the ACCC conductor using CTC Global's patented core.
 
Tete, is the largest city on the Zambezi River and the capital of the Tete Province in Mozambique. The region is rich in agriculture and mining, and fishing - with the nearly 2,000 sq km Cahora Bassa Lake nearby. The Tete district is also known for its beautiful Boabab trees.

Take a quick tour of CTC's QA and R&D test lab 

CTC Global Quality Assurance Chem Lab
Dr. Jim Senger

How ACCC Conductors are improving the Electric Power Grid ...and why it matters
 
Wires that carry electric energy to our homes and businesses are often overworked and overloaded. As demand for electricity goes up, the wires heat up and sag. Because excessive sag can lead to power outages, the ACCC conductor developed by CTC Global Corporation in Irvine, California is being put to wide use worldwide.

"Aluminum Conductor Composite Core" ( ACCC ) uses a high-strength carbon fiber core that doesn't stretch when heated - which prevents thermal sag. Because the composite core is 70 percent lighter than a conventional steel core, it is also able to utilize nearly 30 percent more aluminum without a weight penalty. This allows utilities to replace old wire with new ACCC - without having to spend money on expensive tower or pole modifications or replacement.
 
The ACCC conductor's added aluminum content and composite core not only helps deliver twice the power of a conventional conductor, it also offers decreased electrical resistance. The decreased electrical resistance of the ACCC conductor reduces electrical line losses by as much as 40 percent or more. While line losses range from 3 percent to over 20 percent in some regions, reducing line losses can allow power companies to deliver more power with less fuel consumption and less emissions.

Reducing line losses also serves to free up generation capacity. This has virtually the same effect as building new generation at a fraction of the cost. As more and more consumers switch to electric vehicles and heat pumps, the added capacity and freed up generation capacity offered by the ACCC conductor couldn't come at a better time.
 
To date, more than 150 utilities have installed ACCC conductor at over 350 projects worldwide.
 
For more information, please visit www.ctcglobal.com



ACSS vs ACCC Conductor
Why Over 150 Utilities in 30 Countries Have Selected ACCC
  • High Capacity
  • Low Sag
  • High Strength
  • Fatigue Resistant
  • Corrosion Resistant
  • Excellent Self Damping
  • Easy to Install
  • Great for Long Spans
  • Very Tough & Flexible
  • Extensively Lab & Field Tested
  • Excellent for N-1 Conditions
  • Reduced Line Losses & Emissions
  • Free's-up Generation Capacity that is Otherwise Lost

 

The ACCC Conductor's added aluminum content (without a weight or diameter penalty) allows it to run cooler under any load condition which translates into reduced line losses. Reduced line losses can save fuel, emissions and generation capacity.
 

The Bottom Line:
 

In more than 350 cases the ACCC conductor has provided more than 150 utilities the best economic solution for their specific project needs.  

 

CLICK HERE to view our interactive project map

 

 

Links to Recent Articles


Overview of ACCC Conductor Training, Installation and Operating Experience


With over 350 projects completed we have learned a lot. Our job is not only to help you learn the attributes of ACCC, its also to help keep your crews safe during installation. In an effort to share our knowledge base we have created a number of useful documents and training videos. To download a copy of "Overview of ACCC Conductor Training, Installation and Operating Experience"   CLICK HERE

Explore Our Video Library

 

Please take a look at our informative video library. You will find general overview material as well as testing and installation training videos. Please CLICK HERE

Free Engineering Manual

To help Transmission and Distribution planners, engineers, policy makers, grid operators, technicians and others take full advantage of the ACCC conductor's attributes, CTC Global has published a 250 page Engineering Manual. It offers a very comprehensive set of design guidelines, case studies, figures and facts about conductors and composite materials, and includes links to additional resources and FAQ's, To download an electronic version please CLICK HERE 
 
If you would like to receive a hard copy please CLICK HERE

Free Engineering Software

CTC Global created CCP to help system planners and engineers compare the ampacity, line losses, thermal and ice load sag, and economic aspects of nearly any conductor type and size, so the numerous advantages of the ACCC conductor can be fully realized. The user simply selects the conductor types and sizes from drop down menus and enters the appropriate values & assumptions highlighted in the yellow boxes. The program is fully functional and uses standard industry formulas (such as IEEE 738-2006). Outputs are readily comparable to Sag10®, PLS CADD™ and other similar programs CLICK HERE

CCP Software Alert!!!

Attention current users of CCP software. In the next day or two you will receive an invitation to download the latest version of CCP (V4). It offers many new features and an expanded database. Its totally free and allows you, as with previous versions, the ability to compare any conductor type or size. If you don't already have a copy of CCP, please CLICK HERE

 

CTC Global proudly works with top-tier manufacturing partners worldwide

 

ACCC Conductor is an internationally patented and trademark registered product of CTC Global Corporation.  The ACCC conductor is manufactured in association with more than 20 qualified and licensed international stranding partners. If you are interested in the ACCC conductor, please contact CTC Global to make sure your supplier is authorized to produce and deliver ACCC conductor in your area.  Thank You. 

 

CTC Global Corporation 2026 McGaw Avenue, Irvine, California USA 92614
 

Telephone: +1 949 428 8500  

www.ctcglobal.com 

 

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