Transgrid Launches New Technology for Recycling Old Transmission Lines

Australian electricity transmission firm Transgrid has launched a new technology aimed at reducing emissions and saving money by simplifying the process of recycling old transmission lines.

The company has teamed up with German manufacturing company ZECK to utilize the latter’s ZECK Al/Steel Separator (ZAS) technology for recycling conductors in western Sydney.

The idea was pitched to Transgrid by the company’s field coordinator, Mitch Coppock. “The trial has been successful so far. In under two weeks, we’ve run about 40 kilometers of conductors through the machine, yielding about a kilogram of aluminum per meter of conductor,” he said.

The process involves feeding conductors under tension into the ZAS machine, which separates the outer aluminum layer from the undamaged steel core. The aluminum layer is then cut into pieces ranging from 30-70mm in size and collected in large bags for smelting into new products. Meanwhile, the steel core is wound onto a cable drum for recycling.

Prior to using the ZAS system, Transgrid had to send used conductors overseas to have their outer aluminium layer removed before being recycled. However, with the implementation of the ZAS technology, this process can now be performed onsite.

As a result, Transgrid says it can reduce up to 90% of emissions associated with recycling conductors and achieve a return of three times on scrap metal rates of up to A$3 ($2 U.S.) per kilogram.

“For Transgrid we can get a much higher return on the conductor as compared to current processes, the environment wins with reduced emissions and local businesses benefit too as they get readily available and processed aluminum,” Coppock said. “By taking out that overseas shipping we also guarantee the quality of labor that is used to process it, making it a more transparent and ethical process.”