KEPCO will be responsible for developing technologies and systems for the performance evaluation of graphene composite fibre materials. The graphene fibre-based power lines are ultralight and large-capacity power lines, with three times the power transmission capacity of conventional aluminum power cables.
April 28, 2022
Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) has initiated an R&D project to develop graphene-metal composite material for ultralight and large-capacity power transmission lines. The corporation, along with – Samhwan TF, Sono International, and the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) have come together for this product development project.
The development of the new material-based power lines will allow expanding the transmission capacity. At present, KEPCO is using aluminum conductor steel-reinforced (ACSR) cables, which are made up of aluminum and steel. This conductor has reached its technical limits in increasing power transmission capacity.
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Keeping in view the need and demand for sophisticated conductors, the focus on the development of new power lines using non-metal new materials is increasing at a rapid pace. Thus, as a technically-advanced substitute for conventional power lines, the power utility will promote graphene fibre-based power lines.
With regard to the features of the lines, the graphene fibre-based ultralight and large-capacity power cables can have more than three times the power transmission capacity of conventional aluminum power cables. Moreover, they are also lighter than conventional power cables.
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The R&D project, which has already started in March 2022, is scheduled for completion in August 2024, which is a period of 30 months. Within the project, KEPCO will be responsible for developing technologies and systems for performance evaluation of graphene composite fibre materials, and KAIST will develop the technology for continuous manufacturing of graphene fibres and developing a fibre cable manufacturing process. On the other hand, Samhwan TF and Sono Industries will be designing and building a pilot plant that can continuously produce graphene composite fibres.
