CTC Global’s ACCC® Conductor Earns First Third-Party Certification for Reduced CO2 Emissions From Improved Energy Efficiency
Certification based on LCA Conducted by SCS Global Services
CTC Global announced that its ACCC® conductor became the first electric transmission conductor to earn third-party certification for CO2 emission reductions resulting from improved energy efficiency. SCS Global Services (SCS), a leading third-party certifier of environmental performance claims, verified that the ACCC conductor reduces CO2 emissions associated with transmission line losses by 27 to 31 percent under certain design conditions compared to conventional steel-reinforced ACSR conductors, the 100-year old technology currently used in most electric transmission and distribution power lines.
Tobias Schultz, Manager of Corporate Sustainability Services at SCS, explained: “The certification highlights the opportunity for corporations and governments to reduce CO2 emissions by using the improved efficiency ACCC transmission line technology in place of less efficient ACSR conductors. This means that the use of ACCC potentially supports CO2 emission reduction goals, whether they be needed to meet regulatory obligations or achieve goals in corporate climate action plans.”
CTC Global’s Vice President Commercial Operations Anne McDowell, added: “SCS’ certification makes it easier for electric utilities and transmission developers to choose energy efficient technologies like the ACCC conductor, which benefits their bottom line, consumers and the environment. We urge federal and state regulators and transmission planners to consider the enormous untapped potential for high performance transmission conductors like ACCC to contribute to broadly shared and important energy and environmental goals.”
SCS also certified CTC Global’s Conductor Comparison Program (CCP™) tool as a valid way to estimate reductions in line losses and associated CO2 emissions achieved by installing ACCC conductors in lieu of traditional ACSR conductors. Both SCS certifications were conducted in accordance with the ISO 14044:2006 standard for Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), a methodology used for evaluating the environmental performance of various products.
The ACCC conductor uses a patented hybrid carbon fiber core that is lighter and stronger than the steel core used in conventional ACSR conductors. The composite core and other advanced design features allow ACCC to incorporate 28% more aluminum in the same diameter without a weight penalty, which serves to reduce line losses and associated emissions while also providing the ability to double power flow under peak load or emergency operating conditions. Additionally, unlike steel, the ACCC conductor’s composite core does not expand under highly loaded conditions. This serves to mitigate transmission line sag and clearance violations.
SCS' certification assessment considered a range of conductor sizes, line lengths and voltages representing a number of project types in countries such as the U.S., Indonesia, Germany, India and Chile that have varied grid mixes and associated emission factors. A copy of the Certification Assessment Report can be found at: SCS Certification Assessment Report for CTC Global.
About CTC Global — CTC Global is the privately held developer and marketer of the ACCC conductor and manufacturer of the hybrid composite core first commercialized in 2005. CTC Global serves utility and industrial companies around the world and has provided core used in nearly 450 projects representing over 40,000 kilometers of installed product. The finished ACCC conductor is manufactured by nearly two dozen certified manufacturing partners, worldwide. CTC Global Corporation is located in Irvine, California.
About SCS Global Services — SCS has been a global leader in third-party quality, environmental and sustainability verification, certification, auditing, testing, and standards development for more than three decades. Its programs span a cross-section of industries, recognizing achievements in energy, manufacturing, green building, food and agriculture, forestry, and more. SCS is a chartered benefit corporation, reflecting its commitment to socially and environmentally responsible business practices, and a 2016 recipient of the Acterra Business Environmental Award for Sustainability.