E3X Technology

E3X Technology

Unlocking the untapped potential of Overhead Transmission Lines

Utilities are facing new challenges.

Growing electricity demand needs more power to be transmitted from generation to usage.

Solutions must be sustainable in order to match ESG targets, lower losses and reduced CO2 emission are crucial sustainability elements.

Grid modernization is accelerating, with new lines construction and old lines refurbishment moving forward in parallel. Large investment plans for grid modernizations require optimisation of costs and ‘best solution for scope’.

To make investment plans become reality, trained workforce availability risks to be a constrain to match timing/costing targets.

Prysmian’s groundbreaking proprietary E3X Technology is the utility industry’s first heat-dissipating overhead conductor that transforms the power grid through reduced power loss, increased power carrying capacity and lower costs.

The E3X Technology features a thin, durable ceramic coating that can be applied to the surface of any overhead conductor and is covered by over 15 patents, both Factory Applied and Robotic System.

The E3X coating increases emissivity and reduces absorptivity, improving energy effectiveness and efficiency by allowing for a higher ampacity rating, reduced operating temperature and lower losses. Environmentally stable and Non-Toxic, Hard, Flexible, Durable, Abrasion and Heat Resistant. Chemically Bonded to Aluminium and Aluminium Alloys.

E3X Robots can be used to retrofit existing power lines providing the same advantages as new E3X covered conductors.

New lines or reconductoring

The E3X coating can be factory applied to conductors for new lines or reconductoring of existing ones. E3X covered conductor can be used without changing any installation procedure and using the same tools and accessories.

 

Retrofitting of existing lines

For the retrofitting of existing lines, Prysmian offers a Robotic System of cleaning and coating to deploy the E3X Technology. The cleaning robot mechanically cleans the conductor, preparing the line for the next stage. The coating robot coats the conductor with the E3X technology coating that will ambiently cure. The Robotic system can be deployed on energized conductors.

Benefits

  • Up to 30% TEMPERATURE REDUCTION to decrease POWER LOSSES and SAG
  • Up to 25% AMPACITY INCREASE, keeping the same temperature
  • Carbon footprint reduction, thanks to LOW CARBON ALUMINIUM
  • Slowing down ice growth showing ICEPHOBIC PROPERTIES
  • Better RATINGS ACCURACY: known instead of assumed values
  • No need to change STANDARD ACCESSORIES already in use
  • NEW LINES - keeping same power, decrease in conductor size: weight reduction and smaller towers and accessories
  • RECONDUCTORING - Increasing power, keep the same infrastructure: reduced project time and cost
  • RETROFITTING BY ROBOT- Increasing power, keep the same infrastructure: reduced project time, people involved and cost