Technological Breakthroughs in Overhead Insulated Cables and the Construction of New Grid Architectures

Against the backdrop of the accelerated advancement of new power systems and the upgrading of urban and rural power grids, overhead insulated cables, with their core advantages of flexible aerial installation, reliable insulation protection, and strong environmental adaptability, have become "aerial energy corridors" connecting distributed energy resources, optimizing distribution network structures, and ensuring urban and rural power supply. They address the pain points of traditional bare conductors, which are susceptible to external interference, while also providing key support for the grid's transformation toward a safer, more efficient, and more intelligent system. They are the core vehicle for "aerial empowerment" in modern power transmission systems.

The core competitiveness of overhead insulated cables stems from the synergistic innovation of their "aerial form" and "insulation protection." Their conductors are coated with a weather-resistant cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) insulation layer. Like traditional overhead lines, these cables can be installed at high altitudes, reducing underground pipeline construction costs. They also effectively withstand natural disturbances such as rain, snow, dust, and lightning strikes, preventing short-circuit failures caused by foreign objects connecting to the bare conductors. From substation reconstruction in rural distribution networks and line expansion in urban suburbs to grid-connected photovoltaic power plants and wind power transmission in mountainous areas, overhead insulated cables, with their easy construction, low maintenance, and interference-resistant characteristics, adapt to complex geographical environments and diverse electricity demands, ensuring unimpeded power transmission "airways."

With the growing demand for grid upgrades, the technological evolution of overhead insulated cables is progressing towards high voltage resistance, lightweight design, and intelligent design. On the performance side, the use of high-temperature XLPE insulation material enables them to carry higher currents, adapting to the high-power requirements of renewable energy grid integration. On the structural side, the widespread use of aluminum alloy conductors improves cable weight and corrosion resistance, reducing the load-bearing pressure on poles and towers. On the intelligent side, some high-end products integrate fiber optic sensors to monitor line temperature, current, and insulation status in real time, providing data support for smart grid operations and maintenance and providing early warning of potential failure risks. From supporting rural power grid transformation in rural revitalization, to supporting distribution network upgrades in new urbanization, to ensuring the absorption of new energy under the "dual carbon" goals, the strategic value of overhead insulated cables continues to be evident. In the future, with the widespread adoption of microgrids and distributed energy, overhead insulated cables will further push the boundaries of technology, playing a greater role in flexible distribution networks and intelligent inspection scenarios. They will become a key link in building a new power grid architecture with coordinated development of "source, grid, load, and storage," building a solid aerial defense line for achieving clean, low-carbon, safe, and efficient operation of the power system.