Light-Weight, Low-Sag Conductor More Than Doubles Power on Line in São Paulo State’s Alto Tietê Region Without New Construction in ‘Protected’ Environmental Zone
EDP Bandeirante, the power distribution unit of EDP Group in Brazil, has become the third Brazilian utility to install the 3M Aluminum Conductor Composite Reinforced (3M ACCR) for completion of a line upgrade while avoiding problems associated with building larger towers or expanding rights-of-way in an environmentally sensitive area.
3M ACCR provides more than twice the capacity of conventional conductors of similar size without requiring new or enlarged towers, thereby accommodating new demands being placed on the grid without costly and problematic construction, right-of-way expansion or permitting in crowded urban neighborhoods or environmentally sensitive areas.
EDP Bandeirante applied the advanced light-weight, low-sag, high-capacity conductor to a 4.9-kilometer section of a line in eastern São Paulo State that intersects an Área de Preservação Permamente (Permanent Environmental Protected Area).
Tower construction and right-of-way expansion would have entailed lengthy permitting delays, severe costs and logistical problems with respect to the movement and size of equipment, plus the need to build a temporary parallel line while the existing line was de-energized for rebuilding, according to Fernando Peixoto Saliba, EDP Bandeirante’s engineering, planning and environmental executive manager.
“We originally considered a conventional ACSR upgrade, but the difficulties posed by construction in the protected area were significant,” says Saliba. “The innovative 3M ACCR solution saves us a lot of time and expense, allowing us to improve service about one year sooner on a line that was already operating at full capacity.”
EDP Bandeirante supplies power to 1.5 million customers in the regions of Alto Tietê, Vale do Paraíba and Norte Coast of São Paulo State. The 3M ACCR installation was done on the two-circuit 88kV Cesar de Souza line, which serves residential customers in the city of Mogi das Cruzes and major industrial sites.
Two other utilities in Brazil – Companhia de Transmissão de Energia Elétrica Paulista, and CPFL – recently employed the 3M ACCR in upgrade applications that included river crossings and densely populated communities. Power companies in China, India and Canada, in addition to some two dozen U.S. utilities, also have embraced the 3M ACCR for similar applications.
Tim Koenig, director of the 3M High Capacity Conductor Program, says 3M ACCR’s growing international use, “especially in those countries whose economies and need for electrical power are most rapidly expanding, indicates that this conductor has become the reliable first-choice solution for upgrades where new construction would pose social, economic and regulatory obstacles. It is a proven, dependable, versatile and technologically advanced problem solver.”
3M ACCR was developed with the support of the U.S. Department of Energy, which tested the conductor at its Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) in Tennessee, and with early contributions by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. The ORNL tests demonstrated that the conductor retains its integrity after exposure to temperatures even higher than the rated continuous operating temperature of 210 degrees Celsius and the emergency operating temperature of 240 degrees Celsius. It has the durability and longevity of traditional steel core conductors, even when operated continuously at high temperatures.
The conductor’s strength and durability result from its core, composed of aluminum oxide (alumina) fibers embedded in high-purity aluminum, utilizing a highly specialized and patented process. The constituent materials can withstand high temperatures without appreciable loss in strength, even over long periods of time.
Also, since 3M's ACCR is based on aluminum, it is as not susceptible to environmental conditions such as moisture or UV exposure, as are other traditional conductors, and it has the corrosion resistance typically associated with aluminum-based conductors.
3M holds 18 patents on its ACCR technology, which has been recognized by R&D Magazinewith an R&D 100 Award as one of the most technologically significant products introduced into the marketplace, and by the Minnesota High Tech Association with a Tekne Award for innovative development.
3M ACCR is offered by 3M’s Electrical Markets Division (EMD), which designs, manufactures and markets products for electrical utilities, electrical construction and maintenance, and electrical/electronic device manufacturers. EMD has more than 60 years of experience serving utility customers with highly reliable products, including high-capacity transmission conductors; power cable splices and terminations; electrical wire connectors, terminals and tools; wire marking products; cable ties; electrical insulating tapes; electromagnetic shielding materials; heat shrinkable tubing and molded shapes for electrical insulation; and cold shrink sealing and insulating tubes.
More information about the 3M high capacity conductor is available at www.3M.com/accr.
About 3M
A recognized leader in research and development, 3M produces thousands of innovative products for dozens of diverse markets. 3M’s core strength is applying its more than 40 distinct technology platforms — often in combination — to a wide array of customer needs. With $23 billion in sales, 3M employs 75,000 people worldwide and has operations in more than 65 countries. For more information, visit www.3m.com or follow @3MNews on Twitter.
3M is a trademark of 3M.
About EDP Bandeirante
EDP Bandeirante is the electricity distributor from EDP Group. Serves a population of 4.6 million inhabitants in the regions of Alto Tietê, Paraíba Valley and North Coast of São Paulo State in Brazil.
3M Public RelationsColleen Horn Harris651-733-1566www.3m.com/PressCenterorLVM Group Inc.Bob Rumerman212-499-6567bob@lvmgroup.comorRachel Antman212-499-6570rachel@lvmgroup.com
