Riyadh:Researchers at the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) have developed a novel cooling coating designed to enhance the capacity of overhead power lines in hot climates. This passive cooling coating reflects solar radiation and dissipates heat generated by electrical currents, potentially allowing existing power cables to carry more electricity safely, even in extreme heat conditions.

According to Saudi Press Agency, the KAUST-led study, published in "Light Science and Applications," introduces a proof-of-concept coating that combines silicone with boron nitride particles. This composition scatters sunlight and conducts internally generated heat towards the cable surface, setting it apart from traditional radiative cooling coatings typically used on buildings. Unlike conventional coatings that focus on external heat, this technology addresses both external solar radiation and internal heat from electrical currents, making it suitable for power cables.

The study highlights that in hot climates, such as Saudi Arabia, where high temperatures and intense solar radiation add thermal stress to power lines, this coating can be particularly beneficial. Outdoor testing at KAUST showed that cables with the coating remained cooler than both bare and conventionally insulated cables. During tests simulating Saudi summer conditions, the coated cables maintained significantly lower temperatures than their uncoated counterparts.

The research, which involved collaboration with King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) and Beijing University of Chemical Technology, also assessed the coating's durability. It withstood abrasion, ultraviolet aging, salt spray, and flame testing, retaining its reflective and heat-emitting properties after extensive testing.

While the coating requires further testing on operational transmission lines, modeling in Riyadh suggests it could enable power lines to carry up to 18.3 percent more electricity during the hottest summer months. Across various cities with hot climates, the potential increase in capacity ranges from six to 10 percent. The research team plans to continue evaluating the coating's mechanical reliability and long-term durability to assess its feasibility for wider implementation.