Advanced prevention against icing on high voltage power lines

Abstract

Historical meteorological data indicates, that our weather is becoming more and more extreme. For the electrical utility operators (Distribution System Operators - DSOs and Transmission System Operators - TSOs), these changes arise in new operation challenges that need to be addressed. For example, frequent icing phenomenon affects all the components of the power line by a significant mechanical overload: it endangers the conductors, the insulators and the towers, as well. The result is often fatal and beside serious failures, it effects on operators’ decisions. These not only endanger the reliability of electrical grids by the loss of a power line for weeks or even months, but in general, the safety in the surroundings of the power line. As technology advances, we will be able to collected, analyses and predict very large databases in the field of meteorology and electrical engineering. The ability of processing mentioned data, combined with know-how results in the capacity to operate power lines at their thermal limits during different ambient parameters. This technology called Dynamic Line Rating (DLR) – is not only a great way to increase the transmission capacity of a given line, but can also be effectively used to prevent, or even solve icing-related issues. Higher currents result in higher Joule-heats, that consequently heat the conductors. If limits can be reached or approached, icing can be prevented. If prevention is not possible, detection and removal of ice layer is necessary. The proper handling of this icing issues, requires advanced algorithms (expert systems) and reliable measuring equipment. The combination and synchronization between algorithms, weather service and measuring equipment is the key of the successful operation. An EU H2020 financed project called FLEXITRANSTORE has just been launched to develop a cross-country co-operation, with objective to improve anti-icing and de-icing solutions. To establish and analyse different solutions, the project includes several universities, TSOs and DSOs. To solve mentioned icing issues Budapest University of Technology and Economics’ (BME) developed an advanced neural-network based algorithm which use OTLM system. It is planned to install and demonstrate the capabilities of this new technology on the DSOs grid (Electro Ljubljana - ELJ). Besides the introduction of DLR and icing, this paper also focuses on the preparation/organisation of co-operation between different companies and universities.