Application of Composite Insulators in the Evolving Transmission Grid

As electrification grows in transportation and other sectors, integrating renewable energy resources and preparing for increased demand for electricity poses challenges for the aging grid. Some of these issues are being addressed through the introduction of innovative equipment to upgrade distribution networks.

The U.S. transmission grid will need to address numerous challenges in the coming decades. It is a period that will experience large-scale integration of renewable generation into the grid, while operators are dealing with annual load growth forecasts, a boom in electric vehicle charging stations, and common environmental disturbances that threaten reliability and resiliency.

The United States and other countries have accelerated the installation of new renewable energy sources, in large part due to global concerns about climate change. The transmission grid is facing significant challenges as power producers strive to reduce CO2 emissions while meeting the demand for interconnecting these new sources of energy.

There are many obstacles. Grid operators face the challenge of upgrading the capacity of their current transmission lines and obtaining regional regulatory approval for any grid project. There is resistance from landowner concerns and opposition to rights-of-way due to the unknown nature of the long-term effects of electromagnetic fields near transmission lines.

These obstacles affect the design and construction of overhead power lines and transmission towers, and grid operators are looking for solutions to address these issues. The introduction of innovative equipment to upgrade the grid is addressing some of these challenges. One innovation is the use of composite insulators as structures and insulators in so-called double V composite insulated cross arms (CICA). This technology has emerged as a new approach to solving the technical and financial challenges posed by today's evolving grid.

A composite insulated cross arm (CICA) is composed of cable insulators, post insulators, metal coupling connection, voltage equalization shielding devices, and suspend fitting strings for conductors. CICA replaces the combination of “traditional iron cross arm + hanging insulated string” in overhead transmission lines, and acts as an insulating support for high-voltage wires. It has more excellent electric insulation performance and mechanical performance than traditional solutions.

Station Post Composite Insulator

The CICA can be used in both new and existing overhead transmission line projects. The traditional steel cross-arm and insulator strings increase both vertical overhang (suspension insulator) and horizontal swing (cross arm). The Double-V CICA allows for compaction where its single integrated modular assembly reduces both vertical length and horizontal swing.

Double-V CICA Overview

The Double-V assembly replaces the two-dimensional horizontal single Vee, a technology developed for compaction decades ago to optimize transmission tower geometry. However, with compaction, the single Vee still has limitations in bending stiffness and compression. Double-V has been found to provide like-for-like performance, with superior strength-to-weight ratio, elastic ability to withstand shock loads (such as during a broken conductor condition), and resilience against pollution-induced flashovers through the use of silicone rubber composite insulators making them the most suitable choice for insulated cross arms.

The Double-V CICA is a combination of composite line post insulators and suspension insulators. The composite line post insulator functions as a support for compression and bending loads while the suspension insulator functions as a support for vertical/tension loads.

Founded in 1986, SAA Grid Technology Co., Ltd is a national high-tech enterprise and one of the most powerful composite insulator manufacturers in China. We manufacture the following products: 110kV-1000kV composite long rod insulators, 11kV-230kV composite line post insulators, 11kV-800kV composite station post insulators, 27.5kV composite railway insulators; surge arresters, drop-out fuse cutout, disconnectors and other electrical products. More details, contact us now.

The source is from here.