04 6 月 Albert Molloy – TransTech OCG presentation
Metalube were honoured to have the OCG range of products take centre stage at TransTech India 2024 this year. Taking to the stage at this inaugural event our Global Product Manager, Albert Molloy discussed our leading range of products.
Below is an edit of the TransTech India presentation, you can read the entire discussion or watch it through the link below:
OCG and the Indian Market
阿尔伯特-莫罗伊 is the Global Product Manager for the OCG range of corrosion-preventive grease used in the manufacture of overhead line conductors.
This grease is designed to extend life, preserve the conductor’s condition, and provide resilience to assets. Our aim is to protect transmission lines.
In 2023, there were 5.7 million circuit kilometres of transmission lines globally, projected to increase by 1 million kilometres in the next four years.
In India, these figures are substantial, with an addition of 150,000 kilometres of conductor, more than 15% of that global investment, making it a significant market. It’s crucial to maximise the asset life when putting these lines in place.
Why introduce OCG, and what are the associated risks?
印度 is a vast country with diverse climates, from mountain regions to tropical areas of high humidity. Conductors operate under varied climatic conditions, including coastal, humid, water-laden, and polluted environments, as well as arid desert conditions.
These environments challenge conductors. When we monitor conductors, we focus on internal corrosion rather than external issues. If we prevent internal corrosion, we can extend conductor life and reduce costs.
Conductors have evolved from the standard ACSR conductor used over the past 90 years to today’s high-temperature, low-sag (HTLS) conductors.
These technologies meet expectations for delivering renewable power, being utilised to connect new cities, but they are susceptible to compromise as they’re multimetal systems, creating internal voids that allow moisture and oxygen to enter, fostering conditions for atmospheric and galvanic corrosion.
How OCG is revolutionising corrosion protection
One example of these effects is an ACSR conductor installed off Italy’s coast. After five years with no internal protection, the conductor experienced significant corrosion.
‘There was no protection system internally and as we can see the protective zinc layer or galvanized layer on the steel core, which is a sacrificial metal, has depleted. What we’ve got then with the salt-laden air is that the saline conditions are creating a galvanic cell. The less noble metal has become sacrificial, it’s corroded and expanded the aluminium which is ultimately broken.’
Since then, the conductor has been replaced with OCG technology and has been operational for more than 15 years without issues.
Power lines and coastal corrosion
The cost of corrosion is a continuous challenge for the power transmission and distribution sector and it’s something that must be acknowledged.
The goal is to delay the need for replacement, increase resilience, and maximize asset life. Uncontrolled, repair and replacement costs will escalate, leading to disruptions and potential losses for suppliers and energy providers.
OCG technology extends the conductor’s life, reducing the need for replacements and minimizing disruptions.
OCG grease fills conductor interstices, preventing moisture and oxygen ingress. Applied during manufacturing, the grease is thermally stable, withstanding extreme temperatures and remaining chemically stable. It must retain its integrity to protect the conductor.
The OCG range is industry-specified. In the UK, grease has protected conductors in coastal regions for 90 years, maintaining conductor performance and protecting steel cores.
‘What OCG is doing is it's bringing a technology that extends the life and by so doing you don't have to go in and replace those lines’
With HTLS conductors now rated up to 210°C, OCG is designed to meet these demands. In summary, OCG grease prevents corrosion, extends conductor life, and reduces maintenance and replacement needs.
If the wrong grease is used, it can release oil, attracting dust and causing corona issues on higher-capacity lines, leading to interference and decreased line integrity.
Metalube’s leading industry solutions
As a supplier, we ensure full transparency through the supply chain. The OCG range complies with stringent industry specifications and often exceeds them.
We work closely with utilities worldwide, providing documented capabilities and certificates of analysis with each grease delivery.
OCG technology is specified by many of the worlds transmission and distribution companies. Our global presence supports technical guidance and product availability, including business units in Brazil, China, Singapore & UAE.
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