Methodology for cost estimation of overhead power transmission lines

Abstract

In the era of ever increasing power demand and deregulation of the power industry globally, it becomes extremely essential for transmission utilities to strengthen their infrastructure for accommodating the changes posed by deregulation and transfer reliable power to consumers. Construction of transmission lines involves heavy investment and hence, a careful analysis needs to be carried out at the planning stage in order to take investment decisions. There is a need for assessing the cost of these lines based on scientific principles as compared to those adopted conventionally based on availability of standard designs and line designer's experience. In the present study, an attempt has been made to analyse the cost components of overhead transmission lines and to develop correlations for estimating the overall transmission line cost. An error analysis has also been performed based on the comparison of parameters determined from developed correlations with the data collected on existing transmission lines.