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| ACCC® Conductor Update: June 2018 |
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Southern California Edison Completes 1st ACCC Conductor Installation in Palm Springs, California
During the last week of May, Southern California Edison (SCE) energized their first ACCC conductor installation in Palm Springs, California, an area known for its very hot summers and strong winds. The project was undertaken to replace aged ACSR conductor that was exhibiting excessive thermal sag.
The SCE reconductoring project not only mitigated sag issues - while enabling load growth - the project was also completed quickly and economically with virtually no environmental impact, as the ACCC conductor enabled the use of the existing structures with no modification or need for structural replacement.
The 115 kV reconductor project used approximately 38 kilometers of 530 kcmil (268.4 mm^2) Laredo size ACCC conductor manufactured by General Cable to increase the capacity of the existing transmission line connecting the Eisenhower and Thornhill substations near the Palm Springs Airport. Hardware for the project was supplied by Burndy and the SCE crew used Sherman Reilly equipment during the installation.
CTC Global's master installer David Pearce provided training to 13 SCE crew members and remained on site to help as needed. Even though the area is well developed, care was still taken to avoid harming any of the "local residents" that include the Coachella Valley fringe-toed and flat tailed 'horned' lizards, and the Palm Springs round-tailed ground squirrels. The project was completed under a maintenance permit and went very smoothly with SCE's outstanding crew.
This installation marks the first of many scheduled and State approved ACCC conductor upgrades over the next several months. CTC Global is pleased that SCE recognizes the benefits the ACCC conductor offers and are very happy that SCE continues to add certified / trained crew members to their team, as they are also nearing completion of their second ACCC installation north of Los Angeles.
SCE's upgraded line offers greater capacity, improved reliability and fire safety due to its high strength and low sag composite core. The ACCC conductor's increased aluminum content (without a weight or diameter penalty) also serves to reduce electrical line losses by an estimated 30 percent. Reduced line losses not only reduces fuel consumption and associated emissions, it also frees-up generation capacity that is otherwise wasted. CTC Global applauds SCE's commitment to building a more robust, resilient and efficient power grid in Southern California.
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YPF Completes New 132 kV Wind Farm Tie Line Using ACCC Conductor in Argentina
Earlier this month YPF completed their Manantiales Behr 132 kV wind farm tie line to the 500 kV grid network. The newly completed project enables the integration of 100 new megawatts of wind energy which is saving 80 million cubic meters of natural gas per year. This represents an annual reduction of CO2 emissions by 241,600 metric tons, the equivalent of removing ~51,000 cars from the road.
The project, located in Comodoro Rivadavia, Argentina utilized reinforced concrete structures and ~68 kilometers of Hawk size ACCC conductor on 150 meter spans. The ACCC conductor was manufactured by IMSA. Project Engineering was provided by Techint and construction services were provided by the Jose Cartellone Company. Hardware for the project was provided by Forjasul, while CTC Global's master installer, Rodrigo Covarrubias provided training and field support.
To date, more than 60 ACCC conductor projects have been completed in South America which all serve to improve the efficiency, capacity, reliability and resilience of the South American electric power grid. An outstanding video of this project can be found at HERE
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ACCC Conductor Presented at German Network Development Conference
The annual get-together of the German Transmission and Distribution Operator community "Netzbau Konferenz" was held this year in the beautiful city of Dresden. At the event, various technical papers were presented to a group of approximately 400 delegates that are working on the German "Energiewende," a long-term plan outlining the development of the grid to meet future needs as generation and supply convert to low/zero emissions requirements in the near future.
A part of the "NOVA Prinzip" (optimization before upgrade before new-build), the increased utilization of HTLS conductors is envisaged in the coming five years or so. This being the case, the organisers of the event approached CTC Global in late 2017 to deliver a paper comparing and contrasting the different approaches to HTLS conductors.
As Germany borders eight other European countries the issue of Interconnectors will play a significant role in this, and other neighbouring markets as the European network is strengthened in the coming years.
"The key to our paper was to explore a range of HTLS technologies, including the use of composite core conductors," advised Peter Hughes, CTC Global's Vice President of North Europe. "We therefore teamed-up with Lamifil, a leading European conductor manufacturer, to deliver a paper comparing ACSS,
Invar, Gap and ACCC."
The presentation comprised two distinct parts: What different HTLS conductors offer, followed by an analysis of the performance of these conductor types in terms of capacity, losses/CO2 emissions and sag. CTC Global's well-known CCP software program, which is compatible with PLS CADD and other line design software, was used as the basis for data analysis.
CTC Global has had a direct presence at this event, and other German-speaking forums since 2016. "We see the German market as one of the most technically advanced in the world, but one which carries its own set of challenges," said Hughes. "We look forward to working with our partners to provide innovative solutions to local bottleneck issues and identifying where composite-cored conductors can play a role in the German, and European Interconnector markets."
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ACCC Conductor Presented at Cigre Meeting in Herzeliya, Israel
Earlier this month the Chairman of Cigre Israel, Alex Levinson, and Secretary, Marcel Ellenbogen, invited CTC Global to discuss the impact the ACCC conductor could have on the Israeli electric power grid during an event held on June 12th in the city of Herzeliya, Israel.
During a session titled "How ACCC Conductor is Improving the Efficiency, Capacity, Reliability and Resilience of the Electric Power Grid, Worldwide," CTC Global's Vice President of European Operations, Andrea Michele Sacripanti, was able to discuss specific challenges and tailored solutions with Israeli grid operators and representatives of the Israel Electric Corporation.
In a statement describing the event, Mr. Sacripanti said:
"My colleagues and I have been working hard with several countries to introduce the ACCC conductor for a more sustainable energy culture and we are actively contributing towards building a smarter energy future through the deployment of ACCC conductor in Israel. Utilities, worldwide, are seeking more innovative conductor solutions to increase the efficiency and capacity of their electric power grids. We are happy to successfully be part of the technological transformation that is changing the face of the energy industry in Israel and other countries to reduce carbon emissions via reduced line losses."
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Gabriel Tashjian Joins CTC Global as Chief Operating Officer
Mr. Tashjian is leading CTC Global's manufacturing, supply chain management, quality assurance, environmental health and safety, and facilities management, while serving as a member of CTC Global's Senior Leadership Team.
Mr. Tashjian joins CTC Global from General Electric, where he served as GE's corporate Digital Transformation Leader for Customer Experience and previously as Managing Director of GE Industrial Solutions Global Panel Builder business, prior to its sale.
CTC Global's CEO, J.D. Sitton stated: "Gabriel is an accomplished entrepreneur, disciplined and creative problem solver, and operating executive with a successful track record in start-up, growth-stage, and mature businesses around the world. His global perspective and emphasis on team-building will ensure that CTC Global's supply chain and manufacturing capabilities keep pace with CTC Global's rapidly growing, dynamic markets." Mr. Sitton added: "CTC Global works with a number of world-class manufacturing partners to serve leading utility companies around the world. My colleagues and I are looking forward to working with Gabriel to expand and deepen these relationships in the months and years ahead."
Mr. Tashjian's 20 plus years of experience in the energy and technology sectors include multiple management roles with increasing responsibilities in a range of operations in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. Mr. Tashjian said: "Utility companies are discerning customers. I am impressed with CTC Global's accomplishments and its reputation for quality and reliability. I am looking forward to working with the team to build on these and to grow its manufacturing capabilities and market presence."
In a related move, Mr. Marv Sepe has been named Senior Vice President for CTC Global and General Manager for Jiangsu NARI CTC Composite Materials Ltd., CTC Global's joint venture operation in Huaian, China. In this new role, Mr. Sepe is responsible for a number of external growth initiatives and for managing the growth and operation of the Chinese JV. Previously Mr. Sepe served as CTC's Chief Operating Officer. Over the course of 12 years he drove the development and scale-up of CTC's manufacturing processes and led the effort to achieve ISO 9001-2015 at each of CTC Global's manufacturing facilities. Mr. Sepe has also been a member of the U.S. Department of Commerce's District Export Council for Southern California since 2010 and currently serves as its chairman. Mr. Sepe will continue to serve as a member of CTC Global's senior leadership team.
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CTC Global Expands Headquarters and Irvine Campus
With an annual growth rate of nearly 30%, CTC Global continues to expand its operations at its Irvine Campus as well as at its Indonesian and Chinese joint venture core production facilities.
Over the last several months, CTC Global has been working to increase capacity and department strength. Our hardware and tooling machine shop has grown substantially, as have our R&D and Quality Assurance mechanical and chemical test labs. If you are interested in joining our team, please check out frequent new job posting on the Career Page on our website www.ctcglobal.com
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Want More Answers?
Check out these informative Articles:
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T&D World: Belgium pioneers the use of high-temperature, low-sag conductors to increase transmission system load transfer: Elia owns the transmission system in Belgium as well as 94% (ownership and user rights) of the high-voltage distribution network. The 150-kV to 380-kV transmission system is a key link between the electricity markets in northern and southern Europe... READ MORE
T&D India: CTC Global is highly committed to serve India: US-based CTC Global Corporation has developed and owns the rights to the highly efficient ACCC conductor technology. CTC caters to the Indian market with strategic tie-ups with Sterlite Power and Apar. CTC Global is expanding its footprint in India with projects from both government and private entities. We have Dave Bryant and Hitesh Mundhada jointly speaking on CTC Global's journey in India on the road ahead. An interview by Venugopal Pillai. READ MORE
Global Renewable News: How to Improve the Economic Viability of Renewable Resources: Leveraging modern conductors can improve the economic viability of renewable resources projects and enable the power grid to handle added electrical current. Renewable energy resources are often located miles away from local demand centers. Wind farms, for instance, are generally found far from city limits, located on windy mountaintops or rural, prairie lands. READ MORE
Wire & Cable India: More Power to India's T&D Structure through Pioneering ACCC Conductors: The development of cutting-edge ACCC® conductors by CTC Global incorporated highly evolved aerospace technology and materials science to create a new higher-strength, lighter-weight core that could incorporate additional conductive aluminum without a weight or diameter penalty, and be utilized to reduce thermal sag, increase spans between fewer structures, carry more current, reduce line losses and improve grid reliability. READ MORE
T&D India: The SCS certification can drive better adoption of ACCC conductors: SCS has assessed that ACCC conductors developed by CTC Global can reduce CO2 emissions by 27-31 per cent vis-à-vis ACSR conductors. Tell us more about how the underlying tests were performed. How long did the entire... READ MORE
Power Networks: Composite conductor cuts transmission connection time: Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) has utilised an innovative composite conductor to cut the grid connection time for Beinneun wind farm by two months. READ MORE
T&D World: Energized Rebuild: The energized reconductor project in the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) that finished in November 2015 is a landmark achievement for American Electric Power (AEP) and the utility industry. By capitalizing on innovative technologies from across the industry, AEP solved an immediate need to provide reliable electricity to its customers in the LRGV and simultaneously addressed future load growth. READ MORE
Electric Energy T&D: Shedding Light on the Importance of Transmission Line Efficiency, Capacity and Reliability: Following the Western Energy Crisis of 2000 and the Major East Coast Blackout of 2003, a group of engineers from California got together to design a new type of bare overhead conductor that could carry twice the current of conventional without exhibiting excessive conductor sag. READ MORE
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Looking for ACCC Hardware? Check out our Supplier Parts Database
CTC Global added a new Hardware Supplier Parts Database to our website. The database will help you find all of the hardware components you need to install ACCC conductor. The database shows which hardware manufacturers offer the parts you might need in your particular region while offering many options.
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Check out CTC Global's Blog
In addition to our monthly newsletter and social media posts, CTC Global also posts articles on the Company's BLOG SITE. If you haven't checked it out, please do when you have free time. You will find an interesting array of project details, industry trends and efficiency discussions and much more. We also do our best to respond to posted comments.
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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
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Free Engineering Software
CTC Global created CCP software 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.
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Follow CTC Global on LinkedIn
We hope you find our monthly newsletter informative, but realize you may not have time to read 1,000 e-mails every week. If you'd like to only receive periodic announcements about major CTC Global and ACCC conductor activities please consider following us on LinkedIn. To access our LinkedIn page please click: CTC Global LinkedIn
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Follow CTC Global on Facebook
As most of you know, CTC Global has completed well over 500 projects in 46 countries with the help of several authorized conductor and hardware manufacturing partners along with many great installation crews and contractors.
For those of you that would like to stay more closely abreast of our activities, with a little light-heartedness thrown in from time to time, please consider following us on Facebook. To access our Facebook page, please click: CTC Global Facebook
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Follow CTC Global on Twitter
For up to the minute news about CTC Global, the ACCC conductor, ACCC installation projects and other industry trends, news, and announcements please consider following CTC Global on Twitter. To do so, please click: CTC Global Twitter or look for us @CTC_ACCC
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Follow CTC Global on YouTube
You may have already seen a number of CTC Global ACCC conductor videos over the years that were posted on various YouTube pages. In an attempt to provide you with easier access we created a YouTube page. To access it, please click: CTC Global YouTube or visit the Video Library on CTC Global's Website www.ctcglobal.com
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| CTC Global proudly works with top-tier manufacturing partners worldwide
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ACCC® Conductor is an internationally patented and trademark registered product of CTC Global Corporation. The ACCC conductor is manufactured in association with more than two dozen 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
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