Construção e repotencialização de linhas de transmissão utilizando condutores de alumínio com núcleo em compósito

Abstract

This work presents a study involving the construction and repowering of Transmission Lines with the installation of composite core aluminum conductors (Aluminum Conductor Composite Core – ACCC) and their performance compared to traditional steel core conductors (Aluminum Conductor Steel Reinforced – ACSR). Due to the physical and constructive characteristics of ACCC conductors, a great number of advantages become evident such as: reduction of power losses; sagging decrease; spans increase and cost reduction with structures. With a National Interconnected System (SIN) of continental dimensions and the constant growth of the load, this project aims to analyze the electromechanical and economic consequences of the use of ACCC conductors in comparison to the ACSR through a real transmission line design. From a contour map belonging to the northern region of Rio Grande do Sul state, five transmission lines were designed characterized by the same path, by the same tower structure and operating parameters. The first case was designed using the ACSR cable. In the following three cases the projects with ACCC cable were compared to the first one in terms of thousand circular mils (MCM), external radius and transmission capacity. Finally, the initial case towers allocation was used to perform a transmission line repowering with ACCC conductor. The results demonstrate the benefits of capacity increase and reduction of costs with electrical losses and structures. Although the current cost of the ACCC cable is higher than ACSR, the economic analysis verified that the transmission line efficiency increases. It was concluded that the application of this new technology can raise Brazil to a new development level regarding to transmission systems. Through efficient projects the transmission grid capacity can be increased without building new transmission lines, decreasing the costs and environment impacts.