Prysmian, the world leader in the energy and telecom cable industry, is now producing advanced conductors such as ACCC® and ACSS with E3X® technology by using low carbon and recycled materials to reduce Scope 1, 2 & 3 carbon emissions and reduce Prysmian’s carbon footprint across the value chain.
In 2015, Prysmian launched E3X advanced conductor technology to support transmission grid growth needs. Prysmian’s E3X coating technology increases aluminum overhead conductors' capacity, efficiency and reliability, allowing for more electric power to be transmitted with lower losses for transmission expansion, including new projects, line rebuilding and reconductoring of existing lines. E3X technology can also be retrofitted to existing lines to increase static line ratings by up to 25% with no modification to towers or project footprint.
In 2024, Prysmian focused on using materials from green and recycled sources for all products produced with E3X technology. This bold step reduces energy losses and carbon emissions during production and operation.
The U.S. will need nearly $320 billion investments in the next 10 years to upgrade and build new transmission lines. Both the E3X® Robot System and the factory coated conductors will help meet the challenge of the world’s energy transition to clean energy sources by solving scaling challenges such as the need for increased grid capacity and increased demand. By applying E3X to existing lines, we will help boost capacity by 15-25% without the need to build new lines, preparing the grid to become more sustainable.
This technology is the first of its kind to improve power transmission across the grid in an efficient and sustainable manner. This innovation is also the only commercial technology available to increase incremental power grid capacity with minimal capital investment.
By accessing low carbon technology and reducing greenhouse gas emissions during production, Prysmian’s green overhead products have directly reduced 225 Kilotons of carbon dioxide emissions in 2023, the equivalent of 400 million miles driven by an average gasoline-powered passenger vehicle.
Coupling these gains with E3X coating technology, both new transmission lines and existing transmission lines have a benefit of reduced operating temperature (20%), reduced losses (10-15%) and reduced sag related safety issues. For example, in 2023 more than 4 million feet of new E3X conductor was installed in the U.S. Over a 40-year lifetime this will provide 70,000,000 MWh reduced losses and reduced CO2 emissions by 24,000,000 pounds.
Additionally, Prysmian’s revolutionary E3X Robot System was engineered with advanced electronics, imaging capabilities and artificial intelligence, which can withstand extreme voltages, operate in severe weather conditions, and navigate slope angles. In addition, the E3X Robot System can be deployed without deenergizing that portion of the power gird.
As the world moves towards a decarbonized economy, a more efficient grid is critical to build a clean-powered future. The E3X Robot System enables utilities to use hundreds of thousands of miles of existing high-voltage lines to begin this transition. By deploying this robotic system, utilities will avoid the need of replacing structures or changing conductors, helping reduce cost and materials usage to speed up deployment to upgrade existing lines.
Prysmian first piloted this technology with Exelon Utilities, one of the largest utilities in the U.S. which produced remarkable results. In late April 2022, Prysmian received the top prize at the 2022 Edison Best New Product Awards, winning Gold for the revolutionary E3X® Robot System.
