JNARDDC and NFMTDC researching to produce high performance aluminium power cables

The Jawaharlal Nehru Aluminium Research Development and Design Centre (JNARDDC) is undertaking a research that could change the face of the power sector in the next three to four years. A new aluminium and zircon alloy based alloy conductor could replace the current All Aluminium Alloy Conductor (AAAC) and the Aluminium Conductor Steel Reinforced (ACSR) used in overhead high tension wires to carry electricity over large distances.

The new alloy being called new generation conductors would be able to carry the double the current carried at present at high temperature of 210 degrees Celsius. In fact, the wires are capable of carrying electricity efficiently at temperatures as high as 260-270 degrees Celsius in emergency or peak periods. This has also earned them the name of Super Thermal Aluminium (STAL) conductors.

JNARDDC is joining hands with the Hyderabad based Non-Ferrous Materials Technology Development Centre (NFMTDC) to execute this project which is now testing the properties of the new material so that it can be tested in a pilot scale plant before it can be launched into the mainstream commercial use.

The STAL technology is already prevalent in the western world but is too expensive to be imported, said the JNARDDC director, Anupam Agnihotri. The ongoing research attempts to reduce the cable cost by one-tenth the current cost. They have already developed the material which us a complicated procedure as the zirconium level needs to be exactly 0.3% (with 93.7% aluminium) and even the slightest difference in temperature can make a major difference in quality. They are now analyzing the microstructure to compare with the international STAL in use.

Indian Government’s science and technology division of the ministry of mines has awarded INR 5 crore, INR 2.3 to JNARDDC and INR 2.7 crore to NFMTDC and the project is expected to complete in three years.