Innovations in Electrical Transmission Technology

Today, I’m excited to launch a new research series we’re calling We Would Invest. Periodically, we will spotlight an overlooked frontier or specific tech that Space VC would fund tomorrow if the right founder knocked. Our first feature: HVDC - The Invisible Bottleneck of the Energy Transition The U.S. electric grid is undergoing the largest transformation in a century. Surging demand from data centers, EVs and renewable energy is colliding with aging infrastructure and a severe transmission bottleneck. At the heart of this crisis is HVDC (High-Voltage Direct Current) which enables long-distance, high-capacity power transfer but remains constrained by outdated materials, limited manufacturing, and long lead times. Without innovation here, we believe the energy transition stalls, and along with it, technology progress. The next wave of HVDC innovation could be at the intersection of advanced materials, novel thermal management & cooling systems, and automated maintenance. To create cheaper and better HVDC systems, especially for large-scale transmission, the most likely & highest-impact technical innovations will span the following: ⚙️ Advanced Conductors - aluminum composites, graphene-infused or carbon nanotube conductors, and superconducting wires ❄️ Thermal Management - Liquid cooling systems adopted from GPU cooling, self-regulating conductor jackets, and thermal insulation wraps 🏭 Manufacturing Automation - Robotic cable winding & layer stacking, computer vision QA, or even modular fabrication plants ⚡ Power Electronics & Converters - Silicon Carbide (SiC) or Gallium Nitride (GaN) power semiconductors, AI-enabled converter control systems The U.S. grid will need hundreds of GWs of new transmission capacity over the next decade. Globally, demand for power cabling is expected to rise ~60% by 2035. We’re looking at an immediate $10B–30B domestic market for advanced HVDC technologies. Yes, HVDC solutions exist. But we face a severe manufacturing bottleneck, 2–5+ year lead times, and minimal domestic production. There’s an urgent need for a new entrant with speed, vision, and execution to emerge. We believe a founding team that understands the complexities of the HVDC market, sees the opportunity to streamline installation and permitting, and prioritizes near-term commercialization could build a generational infrastructure company. At Space VC, we would invest.

This article from Utility Dive highlights a new collaboration between Google and CTC Global to deploy advanced conductors, a technology that can significantly increase the capacity of existing transmission lines without needing new infrastructure. This move is part of a broader trend where hyperscalers (like Google, Amazon, Microsoft) are increasingly partnering with utilities and OEMs (original equipment manufacturers). Why is this trend gaining momentum? 1. Soaring Energy Demand: Hyperscalers require massive, reliable power to support the rapid growth of AI and cloud infrastructure. 2. Decarbonization Goals: These partnerships help accelerate the integration of renewables, and non-wire alternatives and support hyperscalers and utilities in achieving net-zero targets. 3. Advanced Grid Technologies: Innovations like CTC Global’s ACCC conductors can increase transmission capacity using existing infrastructure. 4. Policy and Regulatory Drivers: New regulations (FERC Order 1920) are encouraging utilities to adopt advanced technologies in transmission planning. 5. Strategic Co-Investment: Hyperscalers bring capital and urgency, while utilities contribute scale and operational expertise; a win-win for grid modernization. https://lnkd.in/gzNmeNcE #EnergyTransition #GridModernization #Hyperscalers #Utilities #Sustainability #AIInfrastructure Capgemini Energy Transition & Utilities Capgemini EngineeringNisar AHAMADShashi KapoorDrew SwansonRajneesh (Raj) K.Rick NilesBrenda HeathBill BrooksNatasha DowlingLaurent BROMETFrederic DabeFabrice ROBERTRupak PatraAlexandre AudoinJames ForrestRene KerkmeesterMichael LewisBragadeesh DamodaranRémi Dachicourt

💾🔌 Interesting and important developments today in the #transmission and #largeload #AI #datacenter space: an Executive Order has been issued by the The White House regarding #datacenters on federal lands with the goals of "protecting national security, preserving our economic competitiveness, revitalizing our energy infrastructure, and ensuring United States leadership in AI." Key provisions in this order direct that such development should be done where capacity can be developed through #reconductoring, and developed using high-performance (a/k/a advanced conductors) and other advanced transmission technologies. The order directs the Secretary of U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) by June 30, 2025 to "engage with transmission providers and transmission organizations owning, operating, or maintaining transmission infrastructure located near Federal sites selected for AI infrastructure to identify any grid upgrades, deployment of advanced transmission technologies such as high-performance conductors ... or other steps expected to be required for extending interconnection services to AI infrastructure by the end of 2027." The order also calls for an #efficiency standard for transmission conductors. This is an important step as modern, advanced conductors like #ACCC can improve line efficiency up to a range of 30 to 40%. MIT noted in a report earlier this year: "... DOE should adopt a national conductor efficiency standard. This would ensure that transmission providers install more efficient transmission lines, which can reduce line electricity losses by 30 percent. Between 2018 and 2022, annual electricity transmission and distribution losses averaged about 5 percent of all electricity transmitted and distributed in the United States. Approximately one third of those losses occur in the transmission of electricity... increased efficiency has no downsides." https://lnkd.in/ebYWWHyt The Executive Order recognizes the critical element that is TIME, directing steps to extend interconnection services by the end of 2027. Advanced conductors (a/k/a high performance conductors) are the only technology that we have that can double transmission capability 365/24/7 in a matter of months and be relied on in planning cases and interconnection studies. These conductors are mature, widely deployed, and ready to go. And as an (important) bonus, low sag, low temperature carbon composite advanced conductors also mitigate wildfire risk. Link to to the Executive Order here: https://lnkd.in/eT-QC87i #energy, #CEBA, #FERC, #grid, #planning #ISO #RTO CTC Global

America’s electric grid is under historic pressure. Kyle Jones’ recent Utility Dive article makes a compelling case for why utilities must rethink everything - from forecasting and flexibility to infrastructure and investment. But there’s a powerful, often-overlooked solution ready right now: Advanced Reconductoring. Replacing legacy conductors with Advanced Conductors like ACCC® can double transmission capacity, cut losses, and accelerate renewable integration - without the delays of building new lines. The 2024 Energy Institute at Haas study backs this up: Advanced Conductors are cost-effective, scalable, and fast to deploy - a win-win for utilities, regulators, and the planet. We commend Utility Dive for continuing this vital conversation - and invite utility leaders to elevate Advanced Reconductoring as a top-tier strategy for 2025 and beyond. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gaVDFzyi #GridModernization #AdvancedConductors #EnergyTransition #ACCCConductor #UtilityDive #CleanEnergy #Transmission #Reconductoring #HaasStudy #CTCGlobal

𝟰𝘅 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 $𝟴𝟱𝗕 𝘀𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗯𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟯𝟱 Could just replacing wires have such an immense impact? Higher power consumption demands to build new and advanced transmission lines. But… it's easier said than done. It’s a long and expensive process with challenges of permission and supply chains. Cold wires usually carry more current than wires with high temperatures. ‘Magic Ball’ from Norway’s Heimdall is a device that fits around the HVDC lines and measures temperature. If the grid operator knows the temperature, they can adjust the transmission accordingly, thereby avoiding any malfunctions and increasing efficiency. A new technology that is a game changer— 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 It uses cables made with advanced materials, thus increasing the carrying capacity. Benefits of advanced reconductoring: > Addition of 64 TW-miles of new inter-zonal transmission capacity by 2035 > Reducing electricity cost by 3% to 4%. > Saving $85B by 2030 and $180B by 2050 > Costs half as much as building new lines Replacing lines with advanced reconductoring is easy and fast. In 2011, AEP (a utility company), replaced 240 miles of wires in just three years and increased the capacity by 40%. European countries like Belgium and the Netherlands are already leading the way. The question arises, “Why is the US not adopting this technology”? The answer lies in the fragmentation of the utility ecosystem in the US. We have nearly 3200 different utilities and a complex network of planners and regulators. However, if the US wants to meet its clean energy goals by 2035, the utilities will need to upgrade their transmission lines. What are your thoughts on this? Credit: Clean Technica #innovation #technology #energy #sustainability #electricalengineering ASEC ENGINEERS - Engineering your success, delivering precision and innovation in every project since 1991.