Reconductoring
Jason Huang is founder and CEO of TS Conductor, a U.S. manufacturer of next generation advanced conductors that enable utilities to increase capacity while reducing project costs and saving customers money. His career spans senior leadership positions at companies like CTC Global, BAE Systems, Owens Corning, and Solvay, as well as work with the National Institute of Standards and Technology and on critical defense aircraft projects.
Let’s be honest. Some grid operators are still under the impression that reconductoring with advanced conductors is expensive. The data tell a different story. In fact, the reality is the exact opposite; today’s advanced conductors yield net savings.
This is important to understand, because if grid operators overlook advanced conductors because they think they’re too expensive, they’re limiting their ability to address challenges that are only becoming more acute, especially when it comes to grid modernization and capacity expansion.
It’s a familiar story. America’s transmission infrastructure is aging, and significant new capacity is needed to meet growing demand and alleviate bottlenecks. Spending on transmission nearly tripled from 2003 to 2023. But a lot more is needed at a time when twenty percent of Americans are struggling with utility bills, and ten percent have received disconnect notices in the past twelve months.
Utilities need an affordable way to meet demand sooner rather than later by getting more out of their existing transmission corridors. Reconductoring with advanced conductors makes that possible by delivering more capacity and contrary to popular belief, with less CapEx.