IRVINE, CA --
(MARKET WIRE)
-- 02/05/2010 --
Composite Technology Corporation (CTC)
(OTCBB: CPTC) is pleased to announce the completion of the first ACCC®
conductor transmission line in Belgium. Both circuits of this 20 kilometer
overhead line were reconductored in 2009 and are now fully energized.
Lamifil in Belgium produced the conductor.
With the choice of ACCC® Lisbon conductor, Elia, the Belgian transmission
operator, was able to increase the current carrying capacity of the existing
150kV line between Mol and Beringen without modifying or replacing any of
the lattice steel towers. The key issue considered by the utility in this
project was the ability to transmit the output of a new power plant while
continuously keeping one circuit in service and limiting the environmental
impact. ACCC® conductor was selected due to its unique efficiency
characteristics and to avoid the expensive cost and difficulty of modifying
structures, which would have been required with other conductor solutions,
while doubling the line's capacity for N-1 situations with less sag and
lower magnetic fields.
Energy-efficient ACCC® conductor contains about 28% more aluminium in the
same diameter and weighs less than the traditional ACSR conductor. This
results in line losses being reduced by about one-third as compared to a
similar sized ACSR. The greenhouse gases (GHG) emitted from the generation
to supply those losses are also eliminated. Replacing the ACSR 298 conductor
with ACCC® Lisbon conductor for this line doubled the ampacity and should
save an estimated 378,000 MWh of losses over a 30 year economic life. It
should also reduce generation capacity requirements by 3.5 MW and save the
emission of over 235,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide over that 30 year
period, equivalent to displacing 50,000 metric tons of coal in generation.
"ACCC® conductor and accessories are easy to install when you take into
account the technical requirements and the necessary know-how," stated Wim
Kuterna, Manager High Voltage - Lines & Underground for Fabricom, who was
responsible for the successful installation.
Bart Pelssers, Project Leader of Elia explained: "We have carefully planned
this project ahead and evaluated all possible options to come to the best
solution for this line. The ACCC® conductor install ran very smoothly and
was completed ahead of schedule. Elia will surely consider using ACCC®
conductors again for future projects."
Charly Verheyden, Managing Director of Lamifil, commented, "After two years
of study and preparation, we are very pleased with the successful completion
of this first project for Elia. We are optimistic about the prospects for
the use of ACCC® conductors in Europe, and we look forward to continued
cooperation with Elia and Fabricom."
John Brewster, President of CTC Cable, commented, "We are very pleased to
have our advanced conductor in an operating line in Belgium, and look
forward to expanding the market there and in the rest of Europe. We are
confident that awareness of the economic and performance advantages of this
installation will spread throughout the area and we look forward to
collaborating with all of the excellent companies involved on solutions for
additional transmission projects."
About Lamifil:
Lamifil nv, based in Hemiksem, Belgium develops, manufactures and supplies
wire and conductor in aluminium, aluminium alloy, copper and copper alloy
for a broad range of global markets. Our quality products are sold either as
finished or semi-finished goods, divided as follows:
-- The most advanced conventional and high temperature low sag conductor
range, providing solutions for overhead power transmission and
distribution networks. Lamifil was the first in Europe to produce GAP
conductors and developed AAAC UHC conductors providing superior
conductivity. Since 2005 Lamifil is closely collaborating with CTC to
develop and promote ACCC® conductors.
-- The most advanced and comprehensive range of catenary wires for railway
electrification, used in urban transport systems, conventional railways
and high speed networks. Lamifil is probably the only producer able to
manufacture catenary wires in accordance with the most stringent,
recognized standards in both copper as well as a complete range of
copper alloys.
-- Semi finished wire and conductor used for a wide range of applications
in the metallurgical, mechanical and electrical industry.
Lamifil is an important solution provider with respect to the products above
and the development of new technologies in this field. Among its customers
are renowned railway and electrical utilities, international contractors,
cable manufacturers, steel producers and other companies active in the metal
industry.
For further information, visit our website:
www.lamifil.be.
About Elia:
Elia is the Belgian transmission system operator, transmitting electricity
from producers to distribution system operators and major industrial users
and being responsible for importing and exporting electrical energy to and
from Belgium's neighbouring countries. Elia owns the entire Belgian very-
high-voltage grid (150 to 380 kV) and some 94% (ownership and user rights)
of Belgium's high-voltage grid infrastructure (30 to 70 kV). Elia's grid
consists of 5,645 kilometres of overhead lines and 2,767 kilometres of
underground connections and is a key link between electricity markets in
northern and southern Europe. Belgium's recent investments in
interconnection capacity with its neighbours make it one of the most open
and interconnected countries in Europe.
About Fabricom:
Fabricom is the Belgian reference in terms of innovative technical
installations and services for the industry, energy, tertiary and
infrastructure markets. Its expertise covers a wide and varied range of
technical disciplines, including Electrical, Instrumentation, Mechanical,
Industrial Piping, Automation, and Maintenance, as well as specialist
applications. Its strong presence in Belgium, as well as that of its sister
and affiliated companies in Europe, enables it to offer tailor-made
solutions, ranging from local, mono-disciplinary to pan-European, multi-
site, multi-disciplinary projects. Fabricom and its affiliated companies in
Belgium employ more than 5,000 people and achieved a turnover of 749 million
Euros in 2008. Fabricom is part of the Belgian Business Unit of GDF SUEZ
Energy Services, which groups together Fabricom, Axima Contracting, Cofely
Services and their affiliated companies, employs almost 11,500 people and
achieved a turnover of 1.65 billion Euros in 2008.
About CTC:
Composite Technology Corporation, based in Irvine, California, USA,
develops, manufactures and sells innovative, high performance, energy
efficient electrical transmission conductors through its subsidiary, CTC
Cable Corporation. CTC Cable produces composite core rod for use in its
patented high efficiency ACCC® conductors, which are used in overhead
electrical transmission and distribution lines. ACCC® conductors perform
with less line losses when compared to similar diameter conventional
conductors and therefore enable power generators to reduce the amount of
generation while still delivering the same power to customers. ACCC®
conductors also enable grid operators to reduce blackouts and brownouts by
providing reserve electrical capacity, since they can be operated at higher
temperatures without significant thermal line sag. The performance and
longevity of CTC's ACCC® conductor technology has been independently
verified by certifying agencies, test centers and power grids around the
world and have consistently demonstrated significant savings in upgrade
capital costs and operating expenses when substituted for traditional
conductors in reconductoring upgrades as well as new line construction. CTC
Cable delivers ACCC® core to licensed qualified conductor manufacturers
worldwide for ACCC® conductor production and sale into local markets. Over
9,100 kilometers of ACCC® conductor have been installed on five
continents. ACCC® is a registered trademark of CTC Cable Corporation.
For further information, visit our website:
www.compositetechcorp.com or
contact Investor Relations, James Carswell, +1-949-428-8500.
This press release may contain forward-looking statements, as defined in the
Securities Reform Act of 1995 (the "Reform Act"). The safe harbor for
forward-looking statements provided to companies by the Reform Act does not
apply to Composite Technology Corporation (the "Company"). However, actual
events or results may differ from the Company's expectations on a negative
or positive basis and are subject to a number of known and unknown risks and
uncertainties including, but not limited to, resolution of pending and
threatened litigation matters involving CTC or its subsidiaries, resolution
of disputes with CTC's or subsidiaries' creditors competition with larger
companies, development of and demand for a new technology, general economic
conditions, the availability of funds for capital expenditure and financing
in general by us and our customers, availability of timely financing, cash
flow, securing sufficient quantities of essential raw materials, timely
delivery by suppliers, ability to maintain quality control, collection-
related and currency risks from international transactions, the successful
outcome of joint venture negotiations, or the Company's ability to manage
growth. Other risk factors attributable to the Company's business may affect
the actual results achieved by the Company, including those that are found
in the Company's Annual Report filed with the SEC on Form 10-K/A for fiscal
year ended September 30, 2009 and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q
and subsequent Current Reports filed on Form 8-K that will be included with
or prior to the filing of the Company's next Quarterly or Annual Report.
Contact:
Investor Relations
James Carswell
+1-949-428-8500