25th July, 2024 Alberta, Canada

AssetCool, a company leading the development of advanced robotics and functional coating technology to automate power line uprating and maintenance for overhead conductors, is excited to announce the successful pilot of its innovative CapacityN in-situ power line coating platform. This disruptive photonic coating technology, which both reflects solar radiation and emits heat, enables conductors to operate at lower temperatures for a given current level. As a result, it can increase the current carrying capacity of existing overhead transmission and distribution conductors by up to 30%. Being able to apply this technology to existing conductors has the potential to increase the rating of existing conductors, with a substantial reduction in cost, time to additional capacity and outage requirements.

The pilot was successfully executed, marking the first deployment of the CapacityN in-situ coating platform. This initial project was conducted in Alberta, Canada to address the need for an additional 7 MVA of capacity for a 132kV tie line connecting the substation of wind farm to the main tie line. The project was a success, with all phase conductors coated and demonstrating the efficacy of the concept.

Dr Niall Coogan, CEO of AssetCool, commented on the achievement: "This project represents a significant milestone for AssetCool as we advance towards offering and deploying coating as a service for utilities. There is an urgent need for technologies that can rapidly and effectively upgrade transmission and distribution conductors. Our innovative formulation chemistry and advanced robotic platforms permit novel ways to address overhead line challenges with functional coatings: Capacity, Corrosion, Corona Noise and Ice Accretion. This was a meaningful step in the execution of this vision."

The application of AssetCool’s technology in-situ offers a potential cost-saving of 95% relative to traditional reconductoring methods, highlighting its economic and practical advantages. This pilot sets the stage for broader deployment, promising a transformative impact on the utility industry by enhancing the efficiency and reliability of power transmission and distribution.