WILDFIRE MITIGATION
Integrate DLR and EEMS for a Future-Ready Grid Will the implementation of dynamic line rating and engineered electrical mechanical shunt technologies aid in increasing transmission conductor capacity? By CARL R. TAMM, SEYDOU DIOP and CHRIS COSTANZO, Classic Connectors USA Inc.
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he U.S. electrical grid is a critical component of the modern economy, providing safe, reliable and cost-effective electricity to customers. However, it faces multifaceted challenges, ranging from the need to improve transmission capacity to addressing the escalating risk of wildfires. Offering a potential remedy to these challenges is the promising synergy of dynamic line rating (DLR) and engineered electrical mechanical shunt (EEMS) technologies. With a history spanning more than 125 years, the U.S. electric power system is a sophisticated machine, intricately woven with generators, substations, towers, wires, transformers, switches and poles. With more than 240,000 miles (386,243 km) of high-voltage transmission lines and 5.5 million miles (8.9 million km) of local distribution lines, the grid operates within a mosaic of federal, state, tribal and local regulatory jurisdictions. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and North American Electric Reliability Corporation oversee the reliability of the bulk power system, but the challenges are diverse and evolving. With a significant portion of the power system far exceeding 25 years, the aging infrastructure of the electric grid poses a looming threat to reliability. The transition from dispatchable to alternative generation sources adds layers of complexity. Transmission congestion, a concern where changes in demand or generation
Transmission line sensor used to collect conductor behavior data for use with Lindsey’s SMARTLINE DLR system. Photo by Lindsey Systems.
surpass a line’s electrical capacity, could lead to suboptimal energy commitments and dispatch of generators, escalating the cost of electricity. Traditional solutions entail substantial investments in expanding and upgrading transmission line capacity, which come with hefty price tags and extended lead times. Meanwhile, the intensifying frequency and severity of wildfires pose a considerable threat, especially to overhead electrical lines, necessitating innovative solutions for enhancing reliability and mitigating the risks of falling conductors.
Dynamic Line Rating DLR is emerging as a transformative technology capable of reshaping the landscape of transmission capacity management. It engages in real-time assessments of the electrical capacity of transmission lines using actual weather condition variables, such as temperature and wind speed as well as measured conductor temperature. Unlike static line ratings that are intentionally conservative, DLR provides real-time understanding of a transmission line’s acutal loading capabilities, allowing for adding capacity above the static rating. By continuously monitoring environmental conditions, conductor temperature, and adjusting line ratings accordingly, DLR facilitates precise control of the power transmission network. This
A burned up splice. One of the pivotal features of EEMS is its dual role in restoring mechanical integrity to dead ends, splices, joints, and suspension clamps and systems while enhancing the electrical ampacity of a line. Photo by Classic Connectors.
22 T&D World | May 2024
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