Laser nanoengineered coatings for efficient energy transportation through corona discharge suppression

Abstract

Overhead high-voltage transmission lines are crucial for the modern power transportation industry, but their operation in an open atmosphere raises concerns regarding durability, corona discharge, and leakage currents, which have economic and environmental impacts. To mitigate these issues, new functional materials are being developed using laser nanotechnology, such as superhydrophobic, superhydrophilic, and SLIPS coatings. The suitability of each coating depends on specific operating conditions, requiring a compromise between various wire properties. In this study, we investigated the efficiency of these coatings in reducing corona discharge currents under dry and rainy weather conditions. Our research showed that superhydrophobic and superhydrophilic coatings effectively reduce corona discharge currents by up to 2–4 times, while SLIPS coatings, despite water-repellent properties, increase corona currents in rainy conditions. The obtained results allow suggesting two promising paths toward the improvement of corona protection by enhancing the durability of superhydrophobic coatings under intermittent prolonged rainy conditions and reducing ice adhesion to superhydrophilic coatings.