A new coating could help power lines carry more electricity in extreme heat.
Overhead power lines are heated both by solar radiation and by the electrical current they carry. As their temperature rises, the amount of electricity they can safely carry decreases because the cables must remain below their maximum operating temperature.
The new passive cooling coating reflects solar radiation while also dissipating heat generated by electrical currents.
The King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)-led paper describes the mix that combines silicone with boron nitride particles to scatter sunlight while also conducting internally generated heat toward the cable surface.
The challenge is particularly relevant in countries with hot climates, such as Saudi Arabia, where high temperatures and intense solar radiation place additional pressure on overhead transmission lines.
To assess its potential durability in harsh outdoor environments, the researchers subjected the coating to abrasion, ultraviolet aging, salt spray and flame testing. After 1,000 sandpaper abrasion cycles and 240 hours of accelerated UV aging, the coating retained its solar-reflecting and heat-emitting properties.
While the cable solution still requires testing on operating transmission lines, modelling indicates the coating could allow power lines to carry approximately 10% more electricity on average during the daytime throughout the year.
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