Development of a low sag carbon fiber reinforced aluminum conductor for transmission lines [News from Japan]

The demand for electric power in the world is growing steadily, especially in China. Electric power transmission capacity must, therefore, be increased. However, construction of new transmission lines requires time and space and is costly. Towers for overhead transmission lines are expensive, compared with the cost of the cables. It follows that, if possible, the transmission capacity of overhead transmission lines should be increased without changing the tower structures.