Researchers at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia have developed a passive cooling coating for overhead power cables that can be retrofitted onto existing lines. The work, led by Professor Qiaoqiang Gan, was published in Light: Science & Applications.
Made from silicone and boron nitride particles, the coating reflects sunlight and conducts the heat generated inside the cable by electric current outwards. In outdoor tests, coated cables ran about 5 °C cooler than bare cables and about 15 °C cooler than conventional insulated cables at midday.
In models for Riyadh, cables could carry on average 10% more current during the day and up to 18.3% more during the hottest part of summer. The material withstood abrasion and UV-ageing tests, but still needs to be tested on operating transmission lines.
