Public Power - June 2008 - (Page 63)

electricity delivery infrastructure. The LIPA cable system contains hairthin, ribbon-shaped HTS wires that conduct 150 times the electricity of similar sized copper wires. This power density advantage enables the HTS cables to use far less wire and conduct up to five times more power–in a smaller right of way–than traditional copper cables. When operated at full capacity, the new HTS cable system is capable of transmitting up to 574 megawatts of electricity, enough to power 300,000 homes. LIPA’s interest in HTS cables is driven by multiple factors. Demand for electricity in its service area is growing at a recordbreaking pace: LIPA now delivers power to more than 1.1 million customers through a system of 535,000 utility poles, 8,866 miles of overhead wire and almost 5,000 miles of underground cable. With persistent, record-breaking growth, the utility’s priorities have been to upgrade and enhance its electric system, advance energy efficiency, and develop and expand its use of alterna- tive energy resources. To that end, LIPA partnered with the U.S. Department of Energy and American Superconductor Corp. to deploy a transmission voltage HTS power cable. Nearly a half-mile long, it is situated in an existing right of way in Holbrook, N.Y. With a capacity of 574 megawatts, the 138-kilovolt cable system is located in the heart of LIPA’s network—connected at both ends to the existing transmission system. One of LIPA’s key objectives for this installation was to identify any issues surrounding further integration of HTS cables in existing power grids. LIPA and American Superconductor have discussed plans to install other high-capacity, low-environmental-impact HTS cables elsewhere in the grid to address growing electric power needs on Long Island. In addition to capturing the advantages of easier permitting, smaller rights of way and smaller substations, planners hope to capitalize on the potential economic returns HTS technology offers. Generic “apples-to-apples” cost comparisons of HTS and conventional copper cable are challenging to develop. Quantitative economic analyses entail sophisticated measurements of factors that vary considerably from one installation to another. Further, HTS and copper cable technologies simply cannot be compared side-by-side in certain applications. HTS cable is best employed, for example, to retrofit dense urban underground environments or in settings where power density requirements are high. In these instances, realistic alternatives using traditional conductors may not exist. The reverse—in circumstances where conventional technologies are the obvious approach—can be equally true. ❚ Charles Stankiewicz is executive vice president and general manager of American Superconductor Power Systems, Americas/Europe. Jack McCall is director of business development, HTS T&D Systems, American Superconductor Power Systems. Navigant Consulting – turn to us for direction[s]. » Energy markets » Resource procurement » Transmission » Operations improvement » Renewables » Litigation » Fuels » Benchmarking » Regulation » Energy efficiency » Policy » Generation » Demand response » Technology » Valuation » Greenhouse gas/climate change Navigant Consulting is a specialized independent consulting firm that provides management consulting and professional services to assist clients in identifying practical solutions to the challenges of uncertainty, risk and distress. We focus on large industry sectors that are typically undergoing significant change. For more information about our services or career opportunities with Navigant Consulting, please contact Laverne Gosling at 1.800.621.8390, ext. 5736, or laverne.gosling@navigantconsulting.com. ©2008 Navigant Consulting, Inc. All rights reserved. “NAVIGANT” is a service mark of Navigant International, Inc. Navigant Consulting, Inc. (NCI) is not affiliated, associated, or in any way connected with Navigant International, Inc. and NCI’s use of “NAVIGANT” is made under license from Navigant International, Inc. www.navigantconsulting.com www.APPAnet.org JUNE 2008 63 http://www.navigantconsulting.com/energy http://www.APPAnet.org

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Public Power - June 2008

Public Power - June 2008 Contents Perspective 10 Questions Finding Common Ground on Climate Change Solutions A Patchwork Approach to Renewable Energy Whose Grid Is It Anyway? The Little Utility That Could Benchmarking Customer Service Can Prairie Hay Power Your Town? Storming the Control Room Investing in the Smart Grid Coming of Age: Superconducting Cables Community Broadband Economic Development Customer Service Human Resources For Governing Boards Safety Parting Shot

Public Power - June 2008

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