NIA SSEN 0033 ACSS Conductor Study

Key Activities

Overhead line conductors in Great Britain are predominately Aluminium Conductor Steel Reinforced (ACSR). Many of these will require replacement in the RIIO-ED2 price control period. The replacement schemes will require increased current carrying ability. This is currently being achieved by the utilisation of High Temperature Low Sag (HTLS) conductors. Composite cored HTLS conductors have been trialled and, while effective have exhibited higher installation risks than those associated with steel core conductors. Horizon scanning activity has revealed another potential HTLS solution which utilises Aluminium Conductor Steel Supported (ACSS) conductor technology.

Expected Outcomes

Aluminium Steel Supported technology, may offer a different cost performance option and may offer lower installation risk than the composite core conductor solution.  The project seeks to quantify any benefits available from ACSS and compare ACSS H285 to other conductor options in modelled scenarios.

Progress

The project has concluded that ACSS conductor technology potentially offers a viable alternative HT option for new build 132kV wood pole supported overhead lines. Its modelled performance on re-utilised steel lattice supports at 132kV and 275kVwith Northern Scottish climatic loading does not support further investigation as an HT conductor option in these circumstances. The technologies embodied in the ACSS conductors have been reviewed and provide an adequate basis to support further investigation and type certification for use on the GB network. The report underpinning these conclusions is available from SSEN by contacting .

Funding

£53,000

Start/End Date

March 2018 – March 2018

Project Manager

Tim Sammon

Additional Resource

NIA SSEN 0033 : ACSS Conductor Study : ENA Smarter Networks Portal