A Hurdle for the Energy Transition: Transmission Lines

It’s commonly known and understood that if the energy transition is going to happen, then much (or most) of the entire transportation sector is going to have to be electrified.

So for anyone who wants to think realistically about the energy transition, this fact should precipitate a round of questions because our electricity infrastructure is nowhere even remotely able to handle the amount of electricity needed to electrify the transportation sector.

Facts are stubborn; and this is a stubborn fact.

There is nothing easy, or cheap (or emissions free, but that’s another topic) about building even a single transmission line.

The construction (and maintenance…) of transmission lines is very expensive due to a variety of factors, including distance, terrain, materials, regulations, and labor.

Transmission lines often need to cover long distances to reach their destination, which requires more materials and labor to construct and maintain. Additionally, longer transmission lines are more susceptible to voltage drop and other technical issues, which can require more expensive equipment to correct.

Terrain is another factor impacts the cost of transmission lines. Building transmission lines through or around mountains, rivers, or densely forested areas is expensive due to the need for specialized equipment and materials. This can include helicopters or cranes to lift equipment, specialized towers, and foundations to withstand high winds, and vegetation management. And since portions of transmission lines will inevitably be built in remote areas, the cost of transporting equipment (and diesel) to the construction site has to be factored in.

Materials are also a significant cost driver. Conductors, insulators, towers, and other components must be designed to withstand high voltage and weather extremes. Conductors to carry the electrical current from the power source to the end-user are especially critical. The most commonly used conductor materials for high-voltage transmission lines are aluminum and copper (although aluminum is lighter and less expensive than copper, making it the preferred choice). Aluminum is not free, and we are going to need a lot of it. The size and shape of conductors also play a significant role in their cost; larger conductors require more material to manufacture.

Regulations and permits also add to the cost of transmission lines. (This is a reality throughout all of the infrastructure required for the energy transition). Building transmission lines requires lengthy and costly environmental assessments and permits. Regulations may require additional equipment or engineering to minimize environmental impacts.

Building and maintaining transmission lines require highly specialized skills, including welding, rigging, and electrical engineering. This specialized labor increases the cost.

And those are just sort of the obvious cost drivers. I’m sure a transmission line construction specialist could add many items to this list.

But if we are going to live in the real world, and not the world of “let’s pretend”, we have to realize that just the transmission lines alone to electrify the transportation sector are going to be incredibly expensive.