Flexibility and strength in power distribution
While the U.S. population has grown approximately 100 percent over the last 60 years, electricity consumption has increased more than 1 500 percent, based on data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. This increased electricity demand has caused congestion in the U.S. transmission system, which is in vital need of upgrading.
According to an industry analysis done by the Edison Electric Institute, approximately 70% of transmission lines in the U.S. are more than 25 years old. As the U.S. power grid continues to break down, Bekaert is working closely with its customers as investment is being made to modernize the system. Major North American customers include producers of transmission and distribution power cable used by electrical utility companies. Bekaert supplies stranded steel core reinforcement materials for their aluminum conductor steel reinforced and aluminum conductor steel support (ACSR and ACSS) conductors.
General Cable, a Fortune 500 company headquartered in Highland Heights, Kentucky, is one particular customer that has partnered with Bekaert to provide solutions for the future. General Cable is a global leader in the development, design, manufacture, marketing and distribution of copper, aluminum and fiber optic wire and cable products for the energy, industrial, specialty and communications markets. Energy cables include low-, medium- and high-voltage power distribution and power transmission products
The relationship between Bekaert and General Cable has grown significantly over the last few years. What began as a small scale trial program with Bekaert in 2004 has now evolved into a strategic partnership with its foundation built on service and quality. “Over the years we have found tremendous value in our relationship with Bekaert. At General Cable, our competitive strengths are in areas such as breadth of product line, brand recognition, distribution and logistics, sales and service and operating efficiency. We see Bekaert as an integral partner with the same strengths and core values as ours,” said Paul Eaglin, Director of Sourcing, General Cable.
A case in point came in 2009 when General Cable won a major project to supply four million feet of transmission cable that will eventually connect wind farm developments to the US power grid. Bekaert supplied all of the ACSR 7-wire strand for that project. Eaglin: “This was the single largest project that we have worked on with Bekaert to date. We were very pleased with the excellent product quality and level of service that we have come to expect from Bekaert. Bekaert delivered all of the ACSR materials on-time and with no quality issues. These two crucial supply factors allowed us to seamlessly service our customer in a critical market for our collective growth.”
The North American Electric Reliability Corporation reports in their 2009 Long-Term Reliability Assessment that there are plans to install approximately 32 000 miles of transmission line throughout North America from 2009 to 2013. “General Cable plans to play a significant part in the growth of transmission cable, including for the renewable energy sector, both in the U.S. as well as around the world. Bekaert is a reliable global partner for General Cable’s future growth,” Eaglin said.