Overhead Transmission Lines Capacity Management Based on Different Weather Conditions

Abstract

AbstractTraditionally, the transport capacity of the power lines is managed as a static parameter defined by the characteristics of the conductors. Moreover, it came to pose a seasonal characterization of transport capacity (spring, summer, autumn, winter). Here, the leap occurs in the case of performing a dynamic characterization of the transport capacity, allowing for optimization in the use of the line, while the risk of inadequate operation is minimized. The new paradigm of smart grids will require, among other things, dynamic management of the transport capacity of power lines. The objective of this paper is to compare two different methodologies (IEEE and CIGRÉ) which compute the thermal behavior of high voltage overhead conductors. Also, this analysis is complemented by direct comparison of the two mentioned methodologies based on a theoretical approach. Considering the steady state current and a fixed temperature applied to various types of conductors of different loading conditions, the evolution of the conductor temperature is obtained. A real ACSR conductor were used for the simulations, considering the four most common weather conditions. The obtained results highlight if a conductor can withstand overload without reaching their maximum permissible temperature.KeywordsTransmission LinesOverhead LinesWeather Conditions