IRONBACK Power Line Solutions

Innovation for a cleaner future.

Objectives

1. Support EV Charging Growth: Accommodate a projected peak demand increase of 25–50% due to EV adoption by 2035 (based on studies like Nature Energy and BC Hydro’s forecasts).
2. Leverage Renewable Energy: Enhance the use of underutilized renewable resources (e.g., micro-hydropower, tidal energy) and integrate them at a lower cost.
3. Innovative Cost Reduction: Incorporate technologies like hybrid AC/DC microgrids, dynamic line rating (DLR), and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) systems to optimize infrastructure without massive capital investment.
4. Sustainability: Minimize environmental impact and align with CleanBC goals (100% ZEV sales by 2035).

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The design focuses on three key areas:

1. Power Line Upgrades: Enhancing transmission and distribution capacity with innovative monitoring and efficiency tools.
2. Innovative Electrical Solutions: Integrating hybrid microgrids, V2G, and underutilized tidal/micro-hydropower resources.
3. EV Charging Infrastructure: Deploying smart, scalable charging networks supported by renewable energy.

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1. Power Line Upgrades

Proposed Upgrades

• Dynamic Line Rating (DLR):
  • Concept: DLR uses real-time weather and line temperature data to dynamically adjust the capacity of existing power lines, often increasing throughput by 20–40% without new construction.
  • Implementation: Install sensors (e.g., temperature, wind speed) along key transmission lines feeding EV charging hubs (e.g., along Highway 1 and Highway 37). Pair with software to optimize power flow.
  • Cost Benefit: Avoids costly new line construction (typically $1–2 million/km); sensors cost ~$10,000–$20,000 per installation.
  • Schematic Description: A transmission line with attached weather sensors feeding data to a control unit that adjusts current limits in real time.
• High-Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) Overlays:
  • Concept: Overlay HVDC lines on existing AC corridors to reduce losses over long distances (e.g., from northern hydro plants to southern urban centers).
  • Implementation: Use compact HVDC converters at substations near major EV hubs (e.g., Vancouver, Kamloops). Focus on upgrading only critical segments.
  • Cost Benefit: HVDC upgrades cost ~50% less than full AC line replacements for long-distance transmission while improving efficiency by 5–10%.
  • Schematic Description: An AC line paralleled by an HVDC line, with converters at each end integrating into the existing grid.
• Smart Grid Enhancements:
  • Concept: Deploy advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) and phasor measurement units (PMUs) to monitor and balance load from EV charging.
  • Implementation: Retrofit substations near charging stations with PMUs and integrate with BC Hydro’s digital metering network.
  • Cost Benefit: Improves reliability and reduces peak load upgrades, saving ~$5–10 million per substation upgrade.

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2. Innovative Electrical Solutions

Hybrid AC/DC Microgrids

• Concept: Combine AC distribution with DC microgrids at EV charging sites to reduce conversion losses (AC-DC-AC conversions waste 5–10% of energy).
• Implementation:
  • Install DC microgrids at fast-charging stations (e.g., 400 kW stations planned by BC Hydro) powered by local solar PV or micro-hydropower.
  • Use solid-state transformers (SSTs) to interface with the AC grid.
• Cost Benefit: Reduces equipment costs by ~20% (fewer inverters) and leverages local renewables at $0.03–$0.05/kWh vs. grid rates of $0.08–$0.10/kWh.
• Schematic Description: A charging station with solar panels and a small hydro turbine feeding a DC bus, connected to EV chargers and an SST linking to the AC grid.

Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) Integration

• Concept: Use EVs as distributed energy storage to supply power back to the grid during peak demand, reducing the need for new generation capacity.
• Implementation:
  • Equip fast chargers with bidirectional capability (e.g., CHAdeMO or CCS standards supporting V2G).
  • Incentivize EV owners with time-of-use (TOU) rates to discharge during peak hours.
• Cost Benefit: Defers $100–$200 million in peaking plant investments; each V2G-capable EV can provide 10–20 kW.
• Schematic Description: An EV connected to a bidirectional charger, feeding power to a local microgrid or the main grid via a control unit.

Underutilized Tidal and Micro-Hydropower

Schematic Description: A tidal turbine or micro-hydro generator feeding a DC microgrid, with battery storage and EV chargers.

Concept: BC’s coastal and mountainous regions offer untapped tidal and micro-hydro potential (e.g., 100–500 kW sites), ideal for rural charging stations.

Implementation:

Deploy small tidal turbines (e.g., 50–200 kW) near coastal highways (e.g., Highway 19 on Vancouver Island).

Install micro-hydro units in streams near northern routes (e.g., Highway 37).

Cost Benefit: Tidal/micro-hydro costs ~$0.04–$0.06/kWh vs. $0.10–$0.15/kWh for diesel in remote areas; installation costs ~$50,000–$100,000 per site.