Review and evaluation of the Department of Energy's Research and Development Program for 1200-kV transmission and substation equipment

In 1975 the US Department of Energy (DOE), Division of Electric Energy Systems (EES), initiated a program for the research and development (R and D) of 1200-kV transmission and substation equipment with a goal of developing the technology capable of three-phase power transfer of 10 GW. The program was oriented toward compact, compressed-gas-insulated (CGI) component design. The DOE/EES R and D program has encompassed all the major and essential transmission cable, substation apparatus, and specialized instrumentation for a 1200-kV system. It has included more than ten major multiyear research projects and has involved numerous research, development, manufacturing, and testing organizations. This report provides a review and evaluation of the overall DOE/EES 1200-kV R and D program. It includes detailed descriptions of the major projects, their objectives, component and system design direction, and current research status. Future R and D requirements are noted, and commercialization issues are briefly discussed. Research to date has not presented any insurmountable technical obstacles to 1200-kV CGI component design. Thus, although all of the component pieces are not yet available and all of the testing is not yet complete, 1200-kV CGI-based transmission and substation equipment appears to be technically feasible. Although the substation and transmission componentsmore » under development in this program will not likely reach 1200-kV system commercialization for a number of years, many of the materials and design concepts that have been identified for 1200-kV service are readily applicable to devices rated at lower voltages.« less