Brazil's Companhia de Transmissao de Energia Eletrica Paulista
Chooses 3M ACCR for Upgrade of Line Over Parana River in Sao Paulo State
Selection Will Increase Capacity Without Need for New Towers in
River Bed;
CTEEP, a Unit of ISA Group, Is Second Foreign Utility to Embrace
3M Solution
ST. PAUL, Minn. (Business Wire EON/PRWEB ) March 24, 2008 --
One of Brazil’s largest electric utilities,
Companhia de Transmissao de Energia Eletrica Paulista (CTEEP), will
install the 3M Aluminum Conductor Composite Reinforced (ACCR)
to upgrade the capacity of a key transmission line crossing an
environmentally sensitive river bed. The lightweight, sag-resistant 3M
conductor provides more than twice the capacity of conventional
conductors of similar size without requiring construction of new or
enlarged towers.
CTEEP, which is principally owned by Grupo Empresarial ISA (ISA Group),
one of South America’s largest electricity and
telecommunications providers, supplies almost all of the electricity
consumed in the State of Sao Paulo and 30 percent of the electrical
power consumed nationwide. The line will boost capacity for power
transmission for the Jupiá Electrical System.
The line crosses the nearly mile-wide Parana River and is subject to
strong winds and extremely high temperatures.
“3M ACCR was determined to be the most
cost-effective, proven solution available,”
says CTEEP engineering manager Caetano Cezario Neto. Installation is
scheduled to begin immediately.
Recently, Shanghai Electric Power Company, Ltd., became the first
non-U.S. utility to use the 3M ACCR for a key line upgrade serving the
world’s eighth largest city. Several major
U.S. utilities, including Western Area Power Administration, Arizona
Public Service, Xcel Energy and Alabama Power Company, a unit of
Southern Energy, have chosen 3M ACCR to increase capacity on line
segments subject to transmission constraints.
Tim Koenig, director of the 3M High Capacity Conductor Program, says 3M
ACCR is under evaluation in several other countries, as well as by large
and small domestic utilities, as a solution to the problem of
bottlenecks, especially on lines where permitting and construction of
new towers or obtaining additional rights of way would create major
problems and delays.
“There is a growing recognition that this a
proven, reliable and cost-efficient conductor that provides
substantially greater capacity while minimizing the risks and
environmental concerns associated with tower construction,”
says Koenig. “The performance and reliability
of this conductor have been persuasively established over years of field
tests and commercial use, under all kinds of harsh environmental and
operating conditions.”
3M ACCR’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 are chemically compatible with each
other and can withstand high temperatures without adverse chemical
reactions or appreciable loss in strength, even over long periods of
time.
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 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, which
provides a significant safety factor. It has the durability and
longevity of traditional steel core conductors, even when operated
continuously at high temperatures. Also, since 3M's ACCR is based on
aluminum, it is not susceptible to environmental conditions such as
moisture or UV exposure, like other traditional conductors, and it has
the corrosion resistance typically associated with aluminum-based
conductors.
3M has been a full-solutions provider to the utility industry for
decades 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 and
absorbing materials; heat shrinkable tubing and molded shapes for
electrical insulation; and cold shrink sealing and insulating tubes..
The 3M Electrical Markets Division (EMD) designs, manufactures and
markets products for electrical utilities, electrical construction and
maintenance, and electrical/electronic device manufacturers.
3M holds 18 patents on its ACCR technology, which has been recognized by R&D
Magazine with 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. In addition, 3M ACCR was one of the technologies that
President George W. Bush viewed during a visit to 3M in 2006.
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 $24 billion in sales, 3M employs 75,000 people
worldwide and has operations in more than 60 countries.
See the original story at: http://eon.businesswire.com/releases/3m_accr/conductor/prweb796514.htm
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