Modelling of overhead transmission lines with composite towers for 35-330 kV electric power networks

Abstract

Based on the analysis of the technical condition of the equipment of the electric power networks of the UES of Ukraine, current challenges in the development of the energy sector and existing technologies for the transmission of electric energy, the expediency of using towers made of composite materials in the development, reconstruction and design of new overhead transmission lines for electric networks of different voltage classes is substantiated. The peculiarities of operation of towers made of composite materials in electric networks of many countries of the world are investigated, on the basis of which the prospects of using such towers for overhead transmission lines in Ukraine in the conditions of the introduced liberalised electricity market, as well as the requirements for the performance of electric power networks with the investigated towers made of composite materials are formulated. The article analyses the main characteristics and properties of composite materials that are most commonly used for the manufacture of towers in modern energy systems, as well as compares the physical and mechanical properties of towers made of different materials. The analysis of the obtained results confirms certain advantages of towers made of composite materials, which contribute to the widespread introduction of such towers in the Ukrainian energy system. To investigate the influence of the type of composite material and the design of the towers on the performance of electrical networks, a mechanical calculation of the towers was performed using the method of limit states. Using the obtained results, mathematical models of overhead transmission lines with composite towers for electric power networks with a voltage of 35-330 kV were developed, which take into account the technical characteristics of overhead transmission line elements and the operating conditions of electric power networks, and also allow forecasting quantitative indicators of further operation of the investigated electric power networks.