Power Transmission Challenges
The main drawback of conventional ACSR (Aluminum Conductor Steel Reinforced) conductors is their limited thermal capacity. These conductors are typically designed to operate at a maximum temperature of 75°C. Although some modern variants can withstand up to 85°C, exceeding these temperature limits by increasing current leads to higher thermal expansion, which in turn increases conductor sag. Excessive sag reduces ground clearance of overhead lines, posing safety and regulatory issues.
To control sag, it is essential to maintain the conductor’s temperature within safe limits. Since electrical current is the primary source of heating in a conductor, the current-carrying capacity must be restricted accordingly. However, in recent decades, the demand for electricity has risen sharply, necessitating an increase in transmission capacity between generation and consumption points.
At the same time, acquiring new land or Right of Way (ROW) for building additional transmission lines has become increasingly difficult due to urbanization, environmental regulations, and public opposition. As a result, constructing new lines parallel to existing ones is often unfeasible. This creates a major challenge in meeting growing power demands using conventional transmission infrastructure.