Composite Cross-Arms Study

Completed

Other Power and Storage Technologies(Electricity transmission and distribution)

Applied Research and Development

PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Metallurgy and Materials)

Not Cross-cutting

Project Contact
National Grid Electricity Transmission

Network Innovation Allowance

Ofgem

01 June 2008

01 February 2013

56 months

£1,200,000

Power

London

Network Innovation Allowance

Project Contact, National Grid Electricity Transmission

Project Contact, Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution plc (SHEPD)

The objective of this project is to produce a crossarm made of composite materials, that is suitable for use on the 400kV transmission system on a suspension tower. Production of a report detailing the feasibility of the use of composite crossarms on 275kV and 400kV overhead line towers Production of Case Study Specification Production of Techno-Economic Benefit Analysis Resolution of Technical Barriers Manufacture of Prototype Cross arm mechanical testing Cross arm electrical and environmental trials Ancillary system design Production of final prototype drawings Development of crossarm solution, suitable for deployment onto the 400kV system Manufacture of crossarms, including type test Installation of crossarms at 400kV, including 4 x 6 month performance reports Final PhD thesis

Currently the only method available to GB Electricity Network Licensees for the uprating of 275kV OHL circuits to 400kV circuits is to re-build the towers to a higher specification. Composite Cross Arms will allow GB Electricity Network Licensees to up-rate 275kV to 400kV without the need for building new circuits. This is due to the electrical properties of the cross-arms, and the slightly altered installation configuration compared to standard cross-arms, which results in the conductor being raised higher from the ground. This technology will be valuable to GB Electricity Network Licensees and consumers and stakeholders in helping to provide extra capacity to the Transmission system without the need for the construction of new and taller towers that are more visually intrusive upon the landscape. Research, Development & Demonstration The method proposed involves a 5 stage approach. Stages 1 & 2: Feasibility Study on the uses of composite crossarms on 275kV and 400kV system and prototype manufacture. Stage 3: electrical, mechanical and environmental testing of the crossarm, and ancillary system design. Stage 4: involves Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission only and is described as part of their project NIA_SHET0003. Stage 5: manufacture of 6 crossarms for testing, 4 x 6 monthly performance monitoring reports, and final reports on tension towers, and performance trials at 400kV.Note : Project Documents may be available via the ENA Smarter Networks Portal using the Website link above

09/08/18