Unlocking the Grid: A Playbook on High Performance Conductors for State and Regional Regulators and Policymakers

High Performance Conductors (HPCs) is a term that encompasses modern conductor technologies which have greater performance characteristics when compared to traditional aluminum-conductor steel-reinforced (ACSR) conductors, including increased capacity, higher efficiency, and less thermal sag. For 100 years, power lines have used ACSR conductors , which are often still the default conductor choice. The electricity flows through the aluminum and heats the line over time because of resistance in the metal. The steel core keeps the line strong, but with enough heat the line will soften and start to sag. This effect limits the amount of electricity a line can safely transmit.