Register for free to join our community of investors and share your ideas. You will also get access to streaming quotes, interactive charts, trades, portfolio, live options flow and more tools.
Register for free to join our community of investors and share your ideas. You will also get access to streaming quotes, interactive charts, trades, portfolio, live options flow and more tools.
I'm still here if anybody cared to know.
Eco friendly apparel may be ready to take off according to this article from MSNBC
By Jennifer Alsever
MSNBC contributor
Updated: 3:57 p.m. PT April 26, 2007
The backpacker motto of ‘leave no trace’ has moved beyond the mountain slope and into your clothes.
Outdoor companies, taking to heart their customers’ love for the environment, are increasingly churning out more green gear designed to use organic and recycled materials, less packaging and more energy-efficient manufacturing. Credit consumer — and corporate — concerns over global warming and the impact of production on the Earth and worker health.
“Consumers are demanding it,” said Megan Davis, spokeswoman for the Outdoor Industry Association in Boulder, Colo. “Green is certainly hip but consumers are starting to look a little bit more carefully at what they’re buying.”
Story continues below ?
advertisement
Eco-clothing is a hot topic in fashion circles as well as the outdoor industry. Rock star Bono started a new eco-friendly clothing line with his wife, Ali Hewson, and designer Rogan Gregory, and sustainability was a big theme of the recent London Fashion Week. But while the fashion industry is just beginning to raise its environmental consciousness, green clothing already has made major inroads in the outdoor category.
Patagonia pioneered the greening of outdoor apparel when it introduced fleece clothing made of recycled soda bottles a decade ago. Today, Timberland, the $1.6 billion outdoor company, has come out with the equivalent of nutritional labels for its shoes that tell what’s inside — from recycled rubber to energy used in production.
“There’s a growing competitive advantage for companies that take on environmental issues in a very real way and talking to consumers about it,” said Betsy Blaisdell, Timberland’s manager of environmental stewardship.
Two types of Timberland hiking sneakers now bear the nutritional label, and by 2009, the label will be added to all 1,400 Timberland shoe styles, said Blaisdell. Timberland is now working with other brands to create a similar industry-wide label.
That’s welcome news to some consumers, including Poppy Nguyen, 26, an Oakland, Calif., real estate agent. She carefully considers the environmental and social impacts of her purchases when shopping her clothes and shoes.
“Everything should have some sort of label that tells what is in it,” said Nguyen. “We should know where things come from. I’m totally into voting with my dollars.”
Keen
Keen's Ventura sneaker is made with organic cotton canvas and water-based adhesives.
Companies recognize that mindset among consumers, and they are quickly churning out new product lines. Keen, the Portland, Ore., shoemaker, introduced its first organic sneaker, this spring for $60. Called the Ventura, the shoe uses natural water-based glues instead of traditional adhesives deemed more toxic, and uses organic cotton canvas.
The company will next roll out a line of bags and backpacks that use aluminum buckles made from recycled factory shoe molds and zipper pulltabs made from leftover sandal trimmings.
In outdoor apparel, organic cotton and fast-growing plants like bamboo, hemp and soy are emerging as popular alternatives to traditional cotton fiber. The reasoning: one cotton t-shirt made from traditional cotton requires one-third of a pound of chemicals, which can seep into the ground and have been linked to cancer, according to the nonprofit trade group Organic Exchange. Sales of organic cotton are projected to hit $2.8 billion next year, up from $583 million today, due in part to widespread adoption by brands like Nike and Patagonia, according to the group.
Seattle apparel company Kavu introduced a new line of bamboo, soy and hemp shirts, pullovers and pants priced between $30 and $60 each. Half of Kavu’s clothes are now made of these alternative materials. Bamboo clothing feels much like linen but also has natural antibacterial and antimicrobial qualities that prevent odor.
Sustainable materials get even more esoteric from there. Try GoLite-brand backpacking shirts made from coconut shells discarded by restaurants and food manufacturers. The carbon absorbs odor sometimes for days of wearing on the mountain. GoLite, based in Boulder, Colo., sells the shirts for $30.
Consumers can even find socks made of corn in some REI outlets and 75 other retail shops nationwide. The Teko-brand hiking and running socks rely on a renewable resource and offer U.S. farmers one more buyer for their kernels, said Jim Heiden, president of Boulder, Colo.-based Teko.
The corn socks feel as soft as cotton, but they stay drier, he said. Priced at $10.95 to $13.95 a pair, they sell for about 20 percent more than mainstream socks. Even so, Heiden said people are often willing to pay slightly more knowing their purchase is good for the environment. “People love what we’re doing,” he said. “And they love the socks.”
© 2007 MSNBC Interactive
Very nice order from JFE. The orders from them have been getting progressively larger. And have been coming quicker. Last one was for 100k in Sept. IMO managements' creditability and execution are on the rise.
RB account is gone. I haven't taken the time to reestablish a new one.
Grid Limitations Increase Prices for Electricity
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/13/business/13power.html?_r=2&ref=business&oref=slogin&or...
Maybe it is in Oklahoma. I don't know. But it is a nice article as it pertains to ACCC.
Test line in Georgia? Has this been posted yet?
https://crn.cooperative.com/News/newsitems/2006/20061106RE02.htm
November 2006 Vol. 65, No. 2
SITING LINES, ROUTING POWER
Siting new lines and upgrading old ones is easier today with technology pioneered at co-op G&Ts
By Bill Koch
Siting a new transmission line these days is one of the most demanding and controversial projects a G&T can take on, with scrutiny from regulators and citizen groups often making it a long and arduous process. But a new, field-proven approach offers a way to bring balance and consistency to the task of choosing line corridors that minimize impacts while keeping costs under control.
The Electric Power Research Institute (epri.com) and Georgia Transmission Corporation have developed a comprehensive, consistent and defensible approach to routing new transmission lines. The EPRI-GTC Overhead Transmission Line Siting Methodology, winner of the Innovators Award from NRECA’s Cooperative Research Network in 2006, is a planning tool that includes informed, constructive input from concerned citizens in the transmission-line siting process.
The method was developed during a two-year period using input from more than 200 representatives of regulatory agencies, local governments, homeowner associations and other electric utilities. A project team of GIS experts from four U.S. universities and legal advisers specializing in the National Environmental Policy Act joined staff from EPRI, GTC’s environmental, engineering and land acquisition professionals and Photo Science Geospatial Solutions (photoscience.com) to evaluate how siting decisions are made and examine the underlying assumptions and values that drive those decisions.
Using Photo Science's Corridor Analyst software, team members assigned values for each man-made and natural condition in a corridor study area, weighting and ranking each value according to potential impacts. Evaluation criteria and rankings are adjustable to reflect site-specific situations, but the analytical procedures and methods of calculation remain consistent, making the decision-making process easier to understand.
Most important, the process creates a paper trail that clearly traces how decisions are made. GTC has used the approach to plan more than $100 million worth of new transmission construction scheduled for the next several years.
"The process does not replace professional judgment," says Christy Johnson, GTC's environmental and regulatory coordinator and one of the project managers during the research phase, "but it creates a powerful analytical tool to assist the professional in making qualitative and quantitative decisions."
The GIS-driven software organizes and weights geospatial data as a way to evaluate and balance comments and concerns from regulators, citizen groups and other stakeholders. GTC used the methodology on real projects as part of the development process. "It does give experts a framework that helps them sift through a tremendous amount of information," Johnson says.
Chris Smith, a senior GIS analyst for Photo Science who works on-site at GTC, notes that not every project is sited using the methodology. “The longer the line, the more applicable” the process, he says. Smith points to a recently completed 40-mile, 500-kV GTC line as a real-life application of the process.
Stakeholders and GTC developed evaluation criteria, and weights were assigned early in the process. Working with GTC Project Manager Greg Starks, Smith applied the Corridor Analyst software, stakeholder inputs and GIS features to further refine corridor choices. The process resulted in several alternative corridors.
GTC was able to pick a corridor that balanced legal requirements and cost-effectiveness criteria against impacts on communities affected by the 150-foot easement all along the 40-mile route. The software also produced reports that document the evaluation criteria and process used to make the final decision. The project has been approved, public meetings have been held and negotiations with property owners are under way. Construction is slated to begin in 2010.
Smith says G&Ts and other utilities can use Corridor Analyst to determine areas most suitable for transmission lines while also evaluating areas outside the selected corridors. "Typically," he says, “the final transmission line route is within the corridors generated following the methodology."
East Kentucky Power Cooperative has also adopted the new siting approach, adapting it to characteristics unique to its state. The G&T now has several projects in the works using Corridor Analyst.
GTC and Photo Science are available to consult with utilities interested in considering the approach.
Same route, new wire
Because new lines can be hard to site and costly to build, replacing overloaded lines with higher-capacity wire may be a better option. That option is no longer available, though, when lines have already been upgraded as far as possible with conventional conductors on existing structures.
Emerging conductor technology and a willingness to try something new, however, can reopen the possibility. Planning engineers at KAMO Power, an Oklahoma-based G&T, did just that when they started an upgrade on a 2.5-mile, 161-kV line originally built in 1950. The line had been rebuilt about a decade ago. But as Tom Hayes, the G&T’s construction director, learned when he began planning the upgrade, suitable alternate routes were full of housing developments.
Rather than put a new right-of-way through a residential area, Hayes suggested that KAMO Power investigate alternative conductors to determine if replacing the existing ACSR conductor on existing structures could handle the needed voltage.
Ted Hilmes, KAMO Power’s chief operating officer, agreed and assembled a team including himself, Hayes and Randy Bundy, KAMO Power’s planning engineer, to do the initial investigation. The team narrowed its review to two promising alternative conductors. The team also turned to Steve McNabb of Allgeier, Martin and Associates (amce.com) to analyze existing structures and generate a design for each of the two alternative conductors.
While McNabb looked at cable, Hayes found that the alternative conductors could be installed using recommendations from the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (ieee.org) for pulling special conductors. KAMO Power’s construction contractors were also familiar with installation methods for the new lines.
McNabb’s study showed that either of the two alternative cables studied could be used for the project. The G&T chose aluminum conductor composite core, or ACCC, line from Composite Technology Corporation (compositetechcorp.com).
The 2.5-mile line is supported on three double-circuit towers owned by Southwestern Power Association (swpa.gov). The balance of the distance, including a state highway crossing, is on KAMO Power single-circuit H-frame structures. Replacing the existing conductor with ACCC would yield about a 1,000-amp increase in current.
Hayes points out that ACCC does not sag, which means the new line can run at very high temperatures carrying approximately 2,000 amps, according to the manufacturer. Because the trapezoidal ACCC conductors have an equivalent diameter and weigh slightly less than conventional cable, structural integrity is not a problem. Hayes says only minor adjustment of installation equipment is required, including a larger dolly, bull wheel and tensioner, along with bigger takeoff and puller-drum diameters. High-temperature mounting hardware is required, but installation is similar to that for hardware used for conventional conductors.
The design for KAMO’s project is complete, and RUS has given its technical approval. Material is on order. The project, considered a pilot for composite core cable, is scheduled for installation during the first quarter of 2007. KAMO Power expects the composite core cable will provide a substantial increase in ampere rating over the existing line-not to mention considerable cost savings from not having to site and build a new line
Yea. thats true. I was just fishing. Ducab issued a PR recently about a large order.
One thing that is interesting though. On Ducab's page describing their HV cable they describe the facility as being based on the BICC brand. The BICC brand of HV cable is Owned by General Cable.
This is from GC website.
Bare Overhead High-Voltage Transmission and Distribution Cables
Our BICC® Brand cables satisfy the varied and specialized demands of the electric utility marketplace. Our TransPowr® bare aluminum overhead conductors are available in standard ACSR, specialized T-2 designs and high-temperature ACSS/TW designs. Our new ACCC/TW conductors feature an innovative composite core construction which possesses high temperature and increased strength characteristics.
This is from the Ducab website.
The design of Ducab's high / medium voltage cables facility, opened in 1999, draws on the experience of BICC Group and the manufacturing plant comprises a new nextrom completely dry nitrogen curing and cooling line, as well as new wire-drawing, stranding, laying up, taping and armouring, and sheathing equipment.
http://www.ducab.co.ae/hv.asp
IMO I feel CTC is walking the walk lately and not just talking the talk. I.E. orders from AEP and JFE. Revenue from licensing agreements with Chinese turbin manufactures. Eurpean cable manufacturer certified to produce ACCC. ISO certification. Increased production capacity. I guess we will see what the future brings.
This looks like a pretty big cable outfit in the Middle East.
http://www.ducab.co.ae/home.asp
Here are a couple of links to Lamifil's Website.
http://www.lamifil.com/index.php/lamifil_en/
http://www.lamifil.com/index.php/lamifil_en/OnzeMarkten/73/
Here is a link to a website I came across recently called Energy Prospects.
http://www.energyprospects.com/cgi-bin/front_display.pl
Interest in renewable energy in China seems to be strong. Maybe Porter can complete a deal with Harbin Turbin or Bejing Beizhong Turbin similiar to the one they announced 7/13/06 with Shanghai Electric.
http://www.sp-china.com/news/Powernews/
http://www.sp-china.com/news/Powernews/200609140002.htm
Here is a synopsis of the Frost&Sullivan Research Report.
North American Advanced High Voltage Transmission Technology Market - New Technologies Hold the Key
NewswireToday - /newswire/ - Palo Alto, CA, United States, 08/09/2006 - Frost & Sullivan finds that the North American Composite Conductors Market earned revenues of $25.0 million in 2005 and estimates this to reach $225.0 million in 2012.
Electrical grids in North America are aging and are fast becoming very unreliable. The utilities are now looking at new technologies to upgrade the system at a fraction of the cost of replacing them. Fortunately transmission technologies such as composite conductors, high voltage DC (HVDC) and flexible AC transmission systems (FACTS) seem capable of improving the situation for the near to medium future. HTS appears to be the best bet for the medium to long term future because of its very high efficiency and capacity.
The use of these technologies with greater technological advances and lower costs through R&D will drive the North American advanced high voltage transmission technology market. These technologies along with improved distribution and communication & control systems, expect to be part of the smart grid of the future.
Frost & Sullivan finds that the North American Composite Conductors Market earned revenues of $25.0 million in 2005 and estimates this to reach $225.0 million in 2012. The North American HVDC Market revenues were $220.0 million in 2005 and the North American FACTS Market revenues reached $94.0 million in 2005. Frost & Sullivan estimates this to reach $155.0 million by 2012.
If you are interested in a virtual brochure, which provides manufacturers, end users, and other industry participants with an overview of the latest analysis of the North American Advanced High Voltage Transmission Technology Market, then send an e-mail to Trisha Bradley, at trisha.bradley[.]frost.com with your full name, company name, title, telephone number, e-mail address, city, state, and country. We will send you the overview through e-mail upon receipt of the above information.
Since electric transmission lines are the backbone of the power network in North America, rapid technological development is the key to sustaining this market. The four major technologies that could influence the structure of the electrical grid in the future are composite conductors, FACTS, high voltage DC (HVDC), and high temperature superconductors (HTS).
“These high voltage transmission technologies are essential for improving the grid in the future and can hope to gain major investments from the utilities, especially promising technologies like HTS,” notes Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst J Subramanian.
Apprehensions regarding costs and reliability of new technologies hamper their adoption. R&D aimed at making them more capable of accommodating the new lines, can help to allay these misgivings. Hence, companies that focus on improving automation and providing remote monitoring and diagnostics to reduce maintenance costs will benefit.
“The utilities need to invest in these technologies to improve the grid’s capacity as well as increase its resilience to disturbances,” notes Subramanian.
“This need would see investments in rewiring large portions of transmission and distribution infrastructure using composite conductors, installation of FACTS and HVDC to improve capacities and efficiencies, as well as deployment of HTS cables in congested areas, improves efficiency while utilizing a fraction of the footprint of a conventional system.”
Composite conductors, for instance, can improve the grid more than conventional conductors and require less capital expenditure. They can achieve the same capacity addition at less than 25 percent of the total replacement plan due to superior high temperature performance and lighter weight.
Over the next few years, increasing replacement activity and number of market participants will intensify competition, leading to increased offshore production activities. This will make way for international quality value-added services and thus, companies that offer better products and services will gain market share.
North American Advanced High Voltage Transmission Technologies Market is part of the Total Integrated Energy Solution subscription and included information in the following markets: broadband over power lines and automated meter reading. All research services included in subscriptions provide detailed market opportunities and industry trends evaluated following extensive interviews with market participants. Analyst interviews are available to the press.
Frost & Sullivan, a global growth consulting company, has been partnering with clients to support the development of innovative strategies for more than 40 years. The company's industry expertise integrates growth consulting, growth partnership services, and corporate management training to identify and develop opportunities. Frost & Sullivan serves an extensive clientele that includes Global 1000 companies, emerging companies, and the investment community by providing comprehensive industry coverage that reflects a unique global perspective and combines ongoing analysis of markets, technologies, econometrics, and demographics.
North American Advanced High Voltage Transmission Technology Market
http://www.newswiretoday.com/news/7515/
http://www.frost.com/prod/servlet/vp.pag/energy-power
This looks like a table of contents for that Frost Sullivan Research report. I wouldn't mind seeing the whole report. It looks objective and thorough.
http://www.marketresearch.com/product/display.asp?productid=1325614&xs=r&g=1&curr=USD&am...
Cost Comparison from Frost and Sullivan:
Composite conductors, for instance, can improve the grid more than conventional conductors and require less capital expenditure. They can achieve the same capacity addition at less than 25 percent of the total replacement plan due to superior high temperature performance and lighter weight.
At first I thought they meant a 25% savings. But if you can do something for 25% of the total replacement plan that would give you a 75% savings. A $10mm upgrade would only cost you $2.5mm. At least they see some very big economic advantages of composite conductors.
Yea at first I thought that number was pretty high. But if you combine all of CTC's 05' sales and all of 3M's 05' sales it may be pretty close.
Yea it is hard to tell what is going on there. On the JFE Webpage there are about 6 items listed under the news banner. 2 of them are about ACCC. Have you looked at that Frost and Sullivan thing I posted. It seems they see a future in composite conductors.
You ought to look around the JFE Website a little. It is interesting. Here is another Pr from JFE which came out a few days after that first one. I believe it has been posted but what the heck I will provide the link for those who may have missed it.
Both these PR's came out after BW's trip to China in May.
http://www.fegroup.com.cn/english/News_Show.asp?id=87
I think that CableIndustryAnalyst article is a rehash of old news. I must not have been paying much attention back in July. I am pretty sure this has probably been posted but for those that may have missed it like myself this is from the JFE Website.
http://www.fegroup.com.cn/english/News_Show.asp?id=85
I was wondering if someone could sign up for a free trial to this cableindustryanalyst. And then post the article about ACCC for me. You need a company website to get the free 2 week trial.
http://www.cablesindustryanalyst.com/subsFreeTrial.asp
I think this Frost and Sullivan report may be the research report people have been talking about. But I don't know for sure. It sure sounds like they are refering to ACCC and ACCR in this blurb. The full report costs $6k so I won't be buying it. But I supposse a Hedge Fund might.
North American Advanced High Voltage Transmission Technology Market - New Technologies Hold the Key
NewswireToday - /newswire/ - Palo Alto, CA, United States, 08/09/2006 - Frost & Sullivan finds that the North American Composite Conductors Market earned revenues of $25.0 million in 2005 and estimates this to reach $225.0 million in 2012.
Electrical grids in North America are aging and are fast becoming very unreliable. The utilities are now looking at new technologies to upgrade the system at a fraction of the cost of replacing them. Fortunately transmission technologies such as composite conductors, high voltage DC (HVDC) and flexible AC transmission systems (FACTS) seem capable of improving the situation for the near to medium future. HTS appears to be the best bet for the medium to long term future because of its very high efficiency and capacity.
The use of these technologies with greater technological advances and lower costs through R&D will drive the North American advanced high voltage transmission technology market. These technologies along with improved distribution and communication & control systems, expect to be part of the smart grid of the future.
Frost & Sullivan finds that the North American Composite Conductors Market earned revenues of $25.0 million in 2005 and estimates this to reach $225.0 million in 2012. The North American HVDC Market revenues were $220.0 million in 2005 and the North American FACTS Market revenues reached $94.0 million in 2005. Frost & Sullivan estimates this to reach $155.0 million by 2012.
If you are interested in a virtual brochure, which provides manufacturers, end users, and other industry participants with an overview of the latest analysis of the North American Advanced High Voltage Transmission Technology Market, then send an e-mail to Trisha Bradley, at trisha.bradley[.]frost.com with your full name, company name, title, telephone number, e-mail address, city, state, and country. We will send you the overview through e-mail upon receipt of the above information.
Since electric transmission lines are the backbone of the power network in North America, rapid technological development is the key to sustaining this market. The four major technologies that could influence the structure of the electrical grid in the future are composite conductors, FACTS, high voltage DC (HVDC), and high temperature superconductors (HTS).
“These high voltage transmission technologies are essential for improving the grid in the future and can hope to gain major investments from the utilities, especially promising technologies like HTS,” notes Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst J Subramanian.
Apprehensions regarding costs and reliability of new technologies hamper their adoption. R&D aimed at making them more capable of accommodating the new lines, can help to allay these misgivings. Hence, companies that focus on improving automation and providing remote monitoring and diagnostics to reduce maintenance costs will benefit.
“The utilities need to invest in these technologies to improve the grid’s capacity as well as increase its resilience to disturbances,” notes Subramanian.
“This need would see investments in rewiring large portions of transmission and distribution infrastructure using composite conductors, installation of FACTS and HVDC to improve capacities and efficiencies, as well as deployment of HTS cables in congested areas, improves efficiency while utilizing a fraction of the footprint of a conventional system.”
Composite conductors, for instance, can improve the grid more than conventional conductors and require less capital expenditure. They can achieve the same capacity addition at less than 25 percent of the total replacement plan due to superior high temperature performance and lighter weight.
Over the next few years, increasing replacement activity and number of market participants will intensify competition, leading to increased offshore production activities. This will make way for international quality value-added services and thus, companies that offer better products and services will gain market share.
North American Advanced High Voltage Transmission Technologies Market is part of the Total Integrated Energy Solution subscription and included information in the following markets: broadband over power lines and automated meter reading. All research services included in subscriptions provide detailed market opportunities and industry trends evaluated following extensive interviews with market participants. Analyst interviews are available to the press.
Frost & Sullivan, a global growth consulting company, has been partnering with clients to support the development of innovative strategies for more than 40 years. The company's industry expertise integrates growth consulting, growth partnership services, and corporate management training to identify and develop opportunities. Frost & Sullivan serves an extensive clientele that includes Global 1000 companies, emerging companies, and the investment community by providing comprehensive industry coverage that reflects a unique global perspective and combines ongoing analysis of markets, technologies, econometrics, and demographics.
North American Advanced High Voltage Transmission Technology Market
http://www.newswiretoday.com/news/7515/
http://www.frost.com/prod/servlet/vp.pag/energy-power
Anybody heard anything about ACCC passing a test in China. Aug 7
23 Aug Czech Republic - Kablo Elektro Reports 2005 Results
23 Aug Russia - Uralelektromed Reports 1H06 Results
21 Aug Lithuania - Mikrovisatos Services Plans Upgrade
21 Aug Armenia - New Power Line to Iran Announced
21 Aug China - Longest Superconductor Cable Passes Trial Test
14 Aug Czech Republic - CEZ's Power Line Investment for 2006
9 Aug Finland - PKC Group Completes Electro Canada Acquisition
9 Aug Russia - UES Investment in 2007-2009
9 Aug Hungary - Broadband Project
7 Aug China - Yinhe-Far East Cable’s 110kv XLPE Cable Passes Technical Appraisals
7 Aug China - ACCC Carbon Fiber Composite Conductor Passes Test
7 Aug China - TBEA Shandong Luneng Exports High Voltage XLPE Power Cable to Bangladesh
31 Jul China - Wuxi Cable to Export Power Cable to USA
31 Jul China - World Cable to Boost Power Cable Production
31 Jul China - Shangshang Cable to Export Power Cable to Singapore
http://www.cablesindustryanalyst.com/news_list.asp?cid=6
North American Advanced High Voltage Transmission Technology Markets
Frost & Sullivan
July 12, 2006
106 Pages - Pub ID: MC1325614 Questions About This Report?
Order by Fax
XE.com
Abstract Table of Contents
Research Overview
This Frost & Sullivan research service titled North American Advanced High Voltage Transmission Technology Market provides market trends, technology trends, revenue forecasts, as well as market share information. In this research, Frost & Sullivan's expert analysts thoroughly examine the following technologies: composite conductors, high voltage DC (HVDC), FACTS, and HTS.
Market Sectors
Expert Frost & Sullivan analysts thoroughly examine the following market sectors in this research:
Composite conductors
Flexible AC transmission systems
High voltage DC
High temperature superconductor
Technologies
The following technologies are covered in this research:
Composite conductors
Flexible AC transmission systems (FACTS)
High voltage DC (HVDC)
High temperature superconductors (HTS)
Market Overview
Technological Advancements to Drive the North American Advanced High Voltage Transmission Technology Market
The power transmission and distribution (T&D) infrastructure in North America is in need of replacement or overhaul. The four technologies that can take on the pressure of additional transmission lines have been identified as composite conductors, flexible AC transmission systems (FACTS), high voltage DC (HVDC), and high temperature superconductors (HTS). "Composite conductors, HVDC, and FACTS can help the situation in the near future by improving performance and efficiency of the T&D infrastructure. HTS seems to be the best bet for the medium to long term future because of its very high efficiency and capacity," says the analyst of this research service.
The grids in North America need to be improved upon without a huge capital investment due to tighter controls on utility expenditure. Therefore, composite conductors are likely to be very useful in the near future, as they can achieve the same capacity addition at less than 25 percent of the total replacement plan due to their superior high temperature performance. They are an apt solution for improving grid reliability and increasing revenues to utilities at a reduced cost of operation. The FACTS segment is also expected to develop because it helps increase the capacity, power factor, and reliability of the entire grid. HTS is still an emerging segment but there is tremendous potential for it in North America.
Low Cost, Reliability, and Competitive Pricing are the Keys to Cornering Market Shares
Lower costs and reliability achieved through improved power generation technologies will be pointless if the T&D infrastructure is not efficient. The way forward for the utilities is to improve the T&D infrastructure using some of the advanced high voltage transmission technology market. In fact, all developments in this industry are likely to be focused toward increasing reliability, decreasing costs, improving automation, and providing remote monitoring and diagnostics. "Manufacturers must also focus on improving automation and providing remote monitoring and diagnostics," comments the analyst. "This will help reduce the operations and maintenance costs." Intelligent systems being presently developed will also improve the optimal usage of all equipment using various smart predictive and preventive maintenance techniques.
The growing number of participants and increasing replacement operations in the industry are expected to intensify competition. This will result in an increase in the number of participants in the industry through widespread outsourcing of production activities. The entry of international organizations is anticipated to initiate service differentiation and companies that offer better value added services are expected to dominate the market.
Home | My Account | Customer Service | About Us | Press | Help FAQs
Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions | Site Map | Return Policy
Phone: 800-298-5699 (US) or +1-212-807-2600 (Int'l)
Hours: 8:30am to 7:00pm EST Monday thru Thursday
8:30am to 6:30pm EST Friday
Email: customerservice@marketresearch.com
Copyright © 1999-2006, All Rights Reserved, MarketResearch.com
8/24/2006 - 1
Why do be people keep talking about ZOLT. Per my conversations with the CTC. Zoltec never has been and probably never will be a supplier of carbon fiber to CTC. I was told Zoltec's carbon fiber is not of high enough quality to be used in either aircraft parts or ACCC.
Professor: Transmission Congestion Threatens to Clog Nation's Power Grid
Aug 1, 2006 3:26 PM
Mark Reutter, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Inadequate investment in the power grid transmission network remains the Achilles heel of the nation’s electric system, an engineer who specializes in utility policy at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign says.
The electric industry and government regulators have addressed the immediate problems that led to the nation’s worst power failure three years ago on Aug. 14, 2003, said George Gross, a university professor of electrical and computer engineering. This includes mandatory reliability standards for the industry, which were passed by Congress as part of the 2005 Energy Policy Act.
But the broader problems of transmission congestion and bottlenecks continue to threaten the reliability of the grid, particularly during periods of peak demand.
“The August 2003 blackout was a wake-up call for the country to upgrade its transmission grid system,” Gross said. “But the truth is that very few major transmission projects have been constructed and, as a result, transmission capacity has failed to keep pace with the expansion of power demand.”
In the period between 1988 and 1998, for example, growth in electric demand grew by 30 percent, but growth in transmission capacity was just 15%, Gross said.
The 2003 blackout prompted calls for spending of up to $100 billion to reduce bottlenecks and increase capacity of the transmission lines that carry electricity from power plants to homes and businesses.
Instead, investment has lagged behind both power-plant generation and growth in demand for electricity. “Demand growth is forecasted to be 20% between 1998-2008, but the increase in transmission capacity is still below 5%,” Gross said.
“The need to strengthen the existing transmission infrastructure, to expand it and to effectively harness advances in technology constitutes the single most pressing challenge for the country’s electricity system.”
Gross recommended the introduction of incentives to spur utilities and transmission companies to increase capacity. In addition, state regulatory agencies should show more initiative in encouraging new power networks that cross state lines and serve a regional rather than strictly local purpose.
The August 2003 blackout left more than 50 million people without electricity in Canada and the northeastern U.S. and cost at least $10 billion in lost economic activity.
A heat wave in California this week has resulted in cutbacks in electrical use by government agencies and businesses to avoid the kind of rolling blackouts that plagued the state in 2000 and 2001
http://tdworld.com/news/Illinois-transmission-congestion/
China aims to have 30 gigawatts of installed wind power capacity by 2020, up from just 1 GW last year and powering between 13 and 30 million households at full capacity according to industry estimates.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13938365/
I don't know where these people who research and write these articles come up with their numbers.I have that figured out to 1115 2MW turbins a year. Every year for the next 13 years.
Press Release Source: 3M
Blackouts and Brownouts in Heat Wave Underscore Importance of Transmission Technology Embodied in 3M's ACCR
Wednesday July 26, 3:54 pm ET
Lightweight Aluminum Conductor Composite is Heat-Sag Resistant and Proven Under Harsh and Varied Climates
Addresses Problems Threatening Grids
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/060726/20060726005917.html?.v=1
More from WAPA FY 2005 Annual Report
page 16 next paragraph:
"Task 2 conclusions are that for overloading problems dynamic transmission line rating and reconductoring the lines can mitigate problems".
Come on WAPA do me a favor and place a large PO for ACCC.
http://www.wapa.gov/
I went through WAPA FY 2005 Annual report. There is quite a bit on wind energy and renewable energy credits (REC'S) in the report. Found this blurp on page 16.
"To solve some of these issues Task 2 considered the following technologies:
Reconductoring to increase transfer capacity by replacing transmission line conductors with newer composite materials that can carry more current at the same or higher voltage. This evaluation included an assessment of impacts on existing tower structures and rights-of-way."
Don't really know the significance of that statement.
You can access the report here.
http://www.wapa.gov/
Thanks for the replies guys. It is defintely getting harder to understand what the domestic industry thinks of these composite core conductors right now.
Just to let you know what is coming. A co-worker who lives in Lakewood, So. Cal is getting a $600 electric bill for the month of June. He lives in a one story 1800 sq. ft. home. He expects it will be higher for July. A women in Orange County showed showed the OC Register a bill for $800. For 1 month. I believe her home was 2800 sq. ft. Utilities in California are screaming CONSERVE!
ACCC is a good product. Why isn't it being utilized? Prior statements from BGC ACCC is a "strong design", ACCC is "economically compelling" those are straight from 05 CC's. How could CTC and 3M and BGC and the DOE all be so wrong about how these products ACCC and ACCR would be accepted by the transmission industry?
I feel the company has had several proposals where they clearly beat the competetion as far as cost. That is why they have always been optimistic about orders coming in. It is a no brainer based on overall cost of the upgrade. Just like the first PC and AEP orders. So CTC sits and waits for PO's they feel should be coming based on cost while the customers sit there and ask there endless list of what I call their what if scenarios. What if this happens ,what if that happens.
Hey utilities and transmission companies lets go. It is time to upgrade with economical and innovative products. You could save yourselves and your customers a lot of money.
FERC Chairman speech 7/12/06
uly 12, 2006 - Chairman Joseph T. Kelliher testimony before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee Government Reform, Subcommittee on Energy and Resources regarding the “Can the U.S. Electric Grid Take Another Hot Summer?” [PDF] | View Details
http://www.ferc.gov/industries/electric/indus-act/reliability.asp
Another outlook on China Wind industry. http://www.sp-china.com/news/Powernews/200605110001.htm
Keeping my fingers crossed that China comes through with a significant order for ACCC by year end. They do seem to be our best customer.
I also feel those liscensing agreements EU signed with those Chinese turbin manufacturer's may turn out to be a pretty sweet deal.
Apr 10, 2006
China Readies Next Wind Boom
In this Market Brief, EER’s Emi Gui and Keith Hays analyze China’s growing wind power market as it enters a new era of growth. China has the second-largest installed base of wind power in Asia, after India, with over 1,260 MW as of 1Q 2006. Falling just short of its wind power goal for 2005, China is preparing for a major surge in the market with greater regulatory support and a solid industrial base. Project development is currently driven by state and local utilities, but foreign players are planning a long-term presence as the Chinese wind power market shifts towards large-scale wind projects
Global Warming sure is garning headlines these days. Along that line interest in renewable energy including wind is still very good IMO. Here is a link to a good alternative/renewable energy site.
http://www.energyandcapital.com/
Pretty interesting to read these 3M pr's today. Almost a year has gone by since most of them were released. What happened?
http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/Specialty/Materials/Resources/MMC/ACCR/Gridlines/Sept_06
3M has changed their Website somewhat. New address. Surprise, nothing new has happened there. Nothing.
http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/Specialty/Materials/Industry_Solutions/MMC/ACCR/
Licensing technology in China
13/03/2006
A lot of people are talking about China. emw law llp is doing it.
Working closely with lawyers in the People’s Republic of China, emw law has been advising companies on the exploitation of their intellectual property and technology throughout the PRC.
One of emw’s lawyers, James Geary, has just returned from an arduous 2 weeks in China assisting leading wind turbine manufacturer, EU Energy plc, in the negotiation and conclusion of agreements to licence technology and knowhow relating to its DeWind wind turbines.
In particular, emw law’s expertise was required with regard to the compliance with the UK export regulations. emw’s correspondents in Beijing advised on the importation of technology into China and the need for registration of documentation.
Dispute resolution procedures caused concern and emw law’s previous experience in international arbitration were of great value in selecting an appropriate venue and process.
Whilst emw law has advised clients on deals in China before, this was the first time that it has actively participated in face to face negotiations in China. “I believe our experience will be of great value to our clients as they come to terms with doing business in China” commented Robert Cain, Head of Technology and Commerce.
Interesting picture from China:
http://www.cntic.com.cn/en/newsCenter/news/cnticnewsen00112.htm
China to import electric power
China will import electric power from bordering countries by building power plants overseas, according to Liu Zhaoshao, Chief Economist of the State Grid Corporation of China.
The projects in Russia, Mongolia and Kazakhstan are being researched, Liu said at a recent forum on strategic development and investment of energy.
Agreements with the three countries have been signed and details are under negotiation, he said.
The preliminary plan in Mongolia is to build three power plants, each with an installed capacity of 3.6 gigawatts. The first plant is expected to start operation by 2010, said another Liu, also from the State Grid Corporation.
Apart from supply to Mongolia, most of the power generated in the plants will be transmitted to China to meet the electricity demand of China's northern regions.
Construction of the three plants may be carried out by domestic companies while the State Grid will build the transmission lines.
According to Liu Zhaoshao, the project can not be launched until it receives permission from the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), China's energy policy maker and project authorizing institution.
The power plants in Russia will be constructed by the Russian side and power will be transmitted to China.
The project in Kazakhstan, which is planned later than the projects in Russia and Mongolia, will follow a similar process to Mongolia, he said.
China has also negotiated with other bordering countries such as Kyrgyzstan to import electricity by building power plants.
Source:Xinhuanet
Date:2006-06-20