APAR Industries partners with UK’s AssetCool for coated conductors
APAR Industries Limited has entered into an arrangement with AssetCool (Cable Coatings Limited), headquartered in England, UK, under which AssetCool has granted APAR a commercial licence to procure and apply its proprietary photonic coatings to conductors.
The licence covers AssetCool’s SE01 (Surface Enhanced) coating and associated application equipment. It will enable APAR to manufacture coated conductors and offer them in India and international markets. The companies have also agreed in principle to collaborate further on deploying AssetCool’s in-field coating robotics range to increase the capacity of existing overhead lines.
AssetCool develops grid technology based on surface engineering and advanced robotic solutions designed to increase the capacity and performance of overhead power lines. Its photonic coatings improve conductor thermal performance by reducing solar heat absorption and increasing thermal emissivity, allowing higher ampacity and more efficient use of existing grid infrastructure.
The technology can be integrated into new conductors during manufacturing or applied to existing lines in the field using robotics.
Technology development
APAR and AssetCool have collaborated on research and development over the past five years to develop SE01-coated aluminium conductors for overhead transmission lines. The collaboration combines AssetCool’s photonic coating technology with APAR’s conductor manufacturing expertise, with the objective of developing conductors offering ultra-low losses, low sag, high ampacity and longer life cycle.
The companies have undertaken technology development, process optimisation, trials, testing, simulations and field evaluations, supported by advanced testing and monitoring capabilities. The work has included process optimisation, equipment upgrades and independent product validation by third-party laboratories.
The technology has progressed from concept development to a validated and scalable solution for commercial deployment in advanced overhead transmission applications.
Higher ampacity
AssetCool’s coatings provide passive thermal management for overhead conductors. By reducing solar heat absorption and increasing thermal emissivity, SE01 can lower conductor operating temperatures by up to 25% under comparable power transfer scenarios.
The lower operating temperatures enable up to a 30% increase in ampacity or approximately a 10% reduction in power loss resulting from lower conductor operating temperatures and associated electrical resistance. The technology can be used with overhead transmission and distribution conductors, including High Temperature Low Sag (HTLS) conductors.
Grid applications
For new transmission projects, factory-applied coatings can allow utilities to incorporate enhanced conductor performance from the outset. The coated conductors can be installed using existing tools, accessories and installation procedures, supporting integration without changes to established installation practices.
For existing transmission lines, coated HTLS conductors can be used alongside reconductoring to further increase conductor performance and capacity. This can enable higher power transfer through existing transmission corridors.
The broader collaboration is also expected to support joint deployment of AssetCool’s robotic in-situ coating technology on suitable transmission projects. The technology is designed to coat and upgrade existing conductors while the lines remain energised, enabling transmission capacity to be increased without line shutdowns, dismantling or extensive infrastructure modifications.
Commenting on the development, Mr. Chaitanya N. Desai, Managing Director, APAR Industries Limited said, “The global power sector is entering a defining phase where increasing transmission capacity is becoming just as critical as generating new power. As utilities worldwide seek faster and more cost-effective ways to optimise and modernise their grids, advanced coated conductors represent a compelling opportunity to unlock additional capacity. Our collaboration positions us at the forefront of this emerging market, enabling us to deliver differentiated solutions that support the evolving energy landscape, reduce carbon emissions, and create long-term value for customers and stakeholders.”
Mr. Manish Agrawal, CEO, Conductor and Telecom Businesses, APAR Industries Limited, further added, ”This collaboration represents an important step in expanding APAR’s portfolio of value-added conductor solutions. By incorporating advanced surface engineering into our manufacturing platform, we are creating a new category of high-performance coated conductors that will help utilities optimise grid efficiency, enhance system reliability, extend asset life, reduce lifecycle losses and strengthen the resilience of transmission infrastructure, helping create a future-ready grid.”
Niall Coogan, CEO of AssetCool, said, “APAR is a global leader in advanced conductors, and there is immense synergy between its next-generation conductor technologies and our photonic coatings. It is a great honour to launch our first commercial licence with one of the world’s largest and most innovative conductor manufacturers. We look forward to commercialising this technology globally with APAR and, in the near future, rapidly deploying our robotic in-field uprating solutions together.”
Photo credit: APAR Industries
