Abstract
Energy flow bottlenecks in high voltage transmission lines known as congestions are one of the challenges facing power utilities in fast developing countries. Bottlenecks occur in selected power lines when transmission systems are operated at or beyond their transfer limits. In these cases, congestions result in preventing new power supply contracts, infeasibility in existing contracts, price spike and market power abuse. The “Superconductor Technology” in electric power transmission cables has been used as a solution to solve the problem of bottlenecks in energy transmission at high voltage underground cables and overhead lines. The increase in demand on power generation and transmission happening due to fast development and linked to the intensive usage of transmission network in certain points, which in turn, lead to often frequent congestion in getting the required power across to where it is needed. In this paper, a bottleneck in high voltage double overhead transmission line with Aluminum Conductor Steel Reinforced was modeled using conductor parameters and replaced by Gap-Type Superconductor to assess the benefit of upgrading to higher temperature superconductor and obtain higher current carrying capacity. This proved to reduce the high loading of traditional aluminum conductors and allow more power transfer over the line using superconductor within the same existing right-of-way, steel towers, insulators and fittings, thus reducing the upgrade cost of building new lines.
Highlights
Congestions has been exists in both new and traditional power systems but when it comes to managements, it is more complex in case of competitive power markets due to the unbundled nature which calls for more coordination
In the system under study “GECOL System” (General Electric Company of Libya), the case is different with its integrated structure and due to nonavailability of competitors and other utilities trading in power industry where GECOL dominating the market, in which congestion would relatively be an easier issue to handle
A few limited scenarios can be recommended to tackle the issue of bottlenecks for power transmission to this high voltage line, most of them have advantages and disadvantages. These are as follows: - By installing a simple cycle peaking capacity generating plant, which cannot be visible due to noise, fuel storage, fuel supply, etc. - By installing a new overhead transmission line with similar specifications that goes all the way parallel with the existing line keeping the appropriate right of way which is no longer possible with route space unavailability. - By upgrading to a bundle conductor which will require replacement of all fittings and accessories. - By replacement of the traditional aluminum conductors steel-reinforced (ACSR) conductors with high temerature superconductor, in which is the most appropriate scenario as it extended in the same tower structures keeping the same insulations, fittings and accessories
Summary
Congestions has been exists in both new and traditional power systems but when it comes to managements, it is more complex in case of competitive power markets due to the unbundled nature which calls for more coordination. In the system under study “GECOL System” (General Electric Company of Libya), the case is different with its integrated structure and due to nonavailability of competitors and other utilities trading in power industry where GECOL dominating the market, in which congestion would relatively be an easier issue to handle. The issue is mainly related to the conductor temperature rise as the transmission lines are loaded which expand its length, increasing the line sag. A study was made to a heavily congestive overhead transmission line linking one of the most important peaking capacity plant of 4x165MW known as TSPS (Tripoli South Power Station), with focal substation feeding the Greater Capital City of Tripoli from the south bond. The transmission line is 220kV double conductor Red-Wing ACSR, constructed sum 35 years ago when the line route was clear from any obstacles
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