CONFERINTA

“RETELE ENERGETICE INTELIGENTE”

Smart Grid 2010
SIBIU · 21- 23 SPTEMBRIE 2010

Temperature monitoring of overhead lines (OHL) is

Smart Grid solution for power grid

M. Gabrovšek* V. Lovrenčič
OTLM d.o.o. OTLM d.o.o.
Slovenia Slovenia

Summary

The electric utility industry is restructuring itself from regulated environment to operation under
competitive wholesale. However transmission system remains regulated entity that connects
deregulated generation to the end costumer. The pace of investment in overhead lines has lagged
behind the rate of load growth and generating capacity additions in many countries due to public,
regulatory, environmental and financial obstacles to the construction of new transmission facilities.
This results in saturation of many OHL reaching critical values of capacity and sag. Besides that
renewables, especially wind farms require dynamic operation of power grid. OTLM – overhead
transmission line monitoring system is adding new dimensions to operation of overhead lines and
enables more efficient operation while at the same time enhances the safety of system operation. With
data captured and processed by OTLM the operator of the transmission network may optimize and
determine the operation mode of transmission lines. Software solution also provides means for short
term prediction of line temperature. Temperature data along with data gained by lidar scanning and
diagnostics of the overhead line is necessary for up rating OHL projects where with relatively low
investments high capacity increase can be achieved. Article is supported with case studies which prove
that temperature monitoring is necessary part of transmission smart grid.

Key words: Over –head –line – smart – grid – temperature – measurement – energy – transmission –
sag

marko.gabrovsek@c-g.si 1
1. What is smart grid?

The smart grid must be:

predictive - to avoid emergency situations,

capable of "self-tracking "- to correct and avoid the detected foreseeable problems,
interactive - with consumers and electricity market,
secure - against threats, risks.

The smart grid is characterized by increased grid observability with modern data integration and
analytics to support advanced grid operation and control power delivery chain integration and high
level utility strategic planning function. Some key characteristics of intelligent power grid are:
Grid equipment and assets are monitored by intelligent devices,
Digital communication permits intelligent devices to communicate securely with utility
enterprise ,
Data from the monitoring devices and many other sources are consolidated to support the
transformation of raw data into useful information through advanced analytics,
Business intelligence and optimization tools provide advanced decision support at both
automatic and human level[1]

“Roadmap" to an intelligent network includes the following steps:

Optimizing the electricity demand by managing the peak consumption, electricity
consumption control,
Optimizing the supply of electricity by reducing losses in distribution networks,
Optimizing the asset management by proactive maintenance, reducing interruptions and
interventions in staff installation,
Optimizing the reliability by widespread monitoring ETG parameters leading to extending the
life of the equipment and the OHL thus reducing the maintenance and the repair costs
Optimizing the use of renewable energy [2]

2. Obstacles for transmission grids to become part of smart grids

Overhead lines (OHL) provide more than just a highway to deliver energy from generating units to
distribution system and big industrial consumers. Transmission system generally increases reliability,
limits market power of generating units, lowers the cost of electricity delivered to customers and
provides flexibility to protect against uncertainties about future fuel prices, load growth, generator
construction and other factors affecting the electric system.
The electric utility industry is restructuring itself from regulated environment to operation under
competitive wholesale. However Transmission system remains regulated entity that connect
deregulated generation to the end customer and distribution grids. The pace of T&D investment has
lagged behind the rate of load growth and generating capacity additions in many countries due to
public, regulatory, environmental and financial obstacles to the construction of new T&D facilities.
This results in saturation of many OHL reaching critical values of ampacity and sag. A lot of OHL
have problems with transmitting capacity which is connected with ageing of OHLs. Analyses and
accurate data gained by airborne Lidar survey review done by our partner OPTEN, covered 36 utilities
in 22 countries and shows that increased sag due to different mechanisms of line degradation including
corrosion, wear, fatigue, chemical change and creep, leads to decreasing transmitting capacity of many
OHLs (Fig.1). In addition OHL design clearance also does not consider plastic strain, road
construction, home erection and increase of cultural layer of the ground ( Fig. 2)[3].

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 OPTEN Conductor clearance
Group of Companies

Span lengh

Thermal
F5
strain
Plastic strain
F4 Flexible strain
Proper conductor length L Flexible
elongation

OHL design clearance do not consider

Conductor plastic strain
clearance Road constriction
House erection
Increase of “cultural” layer of ground

Fig.1: Changeover of conductor sag Fig.2: Conductor clearance

3. OTLM (overhead transmission line monitoring system)

OTLM device (Fig.3) was developed to measure temperature and current of power lines
simultaneously. Temperature is measured directly - at sensor fixing points. The device is equipped
with means of attachment to conductor. The current transformer and the supplying unit provide power
supply for operation from live conductor without any outside source of power.
Measurements are transmitted to the control center via available communication channels (GSM,
GPRS, UMTS). The device is equipped with GPS signal receiver. Due to this, temperature and current
measurement data is annotated by precise time and X,Y,Z, coordinates of device location. The device
enables local and remote access for meter setting, reading of current values, software replacement,
etc.. Database and high-resolution events are saved in the local OTLM concentrator unit.
Measurements and high-resolution events are transferred to selected computers and the control center
(SCADA) via standard IEC protocols (Fig.4). Easy user access is available via Web browser (Fig.5).

OTLM device installation is recommended during planned disconnection in area near tower but after
anti-vibration devices. In complex terrain areas and highlands it is recommended that OTLM devices
are installed in spans where nature of area changes sharply and conductors are shielded from wind by
various natural or manmade barriers. Optimal number of OTLM running through complex terrain area
should be around 4 to 5 devices. For the lines located in flat woodless areas the number of OTLM can
be reduced to 2 devices at the beginning and end of the route or at the sections of considerable pivot
angle. Real - time data about temperature and current at power line critical sectors help operators to
monitor the conditions. When preset critical values are exceeded dispatch service is informed by
alarm. It is recommended to set alarms to critical sag situation. Thus reliability, efficiency and safety
of OHL operation is enhanced. OTLM system supports real time line rating operation. For example,
wind farm production is usually curtailed due to static thermal rating of OHL. Using OTLM system
enables operation on real time line rating of OHL which results in additional capacity of power flow.

Fig.3: OTLM device Fig.4: Communication system

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 Fig.5: OTLM Center

4. Advantages of OTLM during Lidar survey

Up to date accurate data about conductor clearances to ground crossed objects can be obtained with
highly efficient airborne LIDAR survey technology widely used for this purposes. The LIDAR survey
data is imported to specialized software used for 2D and 3D line modeling. These models together
with obtained surrey data about terrain and on ground objects after further analyses provide an
accurate and up to date picture about power line elements condition under various meteorological and
operating conditions. Since also meteorological data (temperature, humidity, wind, solar convection)
can be obtained at the same time the only parameter which is actually calculated is temperature of
OHL conductor. With OTLM system you eliminate inaccuracy and get exact data. Lidar technology
leads to accuracy of a few centimeters on the other hand calculation models are far less accurate since
they do not take into account conductor elongation due to aging, deformation etc.[4]

5. Advantages of monitoring during operation of OHL

On the basis of 2D and 3D power line models powered by LIDAR survey data critical sections and
spans are identified and the maximum admissible conductor temperature is calculated and analyses of
OHL operation under various meteo conditions can be prognosed. OTLM devices should be installed
on critical spans. Afterwards it is reasonable to carry out OHL power line operating regimes
management by applying conductor current and temperature monitoring data. The monitoring data is
compatible with control board protocols SCADA, which allows automation of controlling procedures
over OHL operation with maintaining the load on level of thermal resistance. OTLM alarms can be
adjusted by operator to warn him about emergency conditions. That actually means operation of OHL
with new thermal rating and additional safety of operation due to alert system.

6. Usage of OTLM for uprating purposes (tension adjustment of conductors)

Surveying data can be used to carry out OHL reengineering which may include elaboration of
technical solutions to conductor tension regulation, reconductoring, tower upgrading and change of
insulator strings by alternative design, introduction of monitoring system, etc. According to gained
experience of OHL maintenance, conductor tension adjustment is one of the most rational engineering
solutions for clearance infringements elimination in terms of technology and economic profit. [5]
After Lidar survey some other instrumental control such as non destructive inspection of the
conductor, thermovision of connection clamps should be performed prior to execution of tension
adjustment. As a rule 10 to 15% of conductor tension increase eliminates practically all clearance
violations and at the same time does no decrease its strength and reliability under wind and ice
conditions.

Pilot project in Kazan on OHL 110 kV TEC2-TEC3 (Kazan, ZAO and Russia) is a very good example
of thermal monitoring role for capacity increase of OHL. Data obtained by Airborne laser survey and
temperature monitoring showed that capacity of OHL is far lower than design capacity rating of OHL.
Actual results show that OHL can operate near rated capacity only when metrological condition are
very good (low ambient temperature and wind 2m/s and higher). According to actual state of line, the

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maximum current at which no clearance violations occur, amounts to 2% ( at a temperature of +40°C)
and up to 50% (at a temperature of -5°C with no wind). Instrumental control of the condition of iron
core and instrumental control of connecting clamps and power line jumpers was done to get sufficient
data for capacity increase study. On the basis of OHL project documentation and data obtained by
monitoring laser survey and instrumental control possibilities for capacity increase were studied. In
order to increase line capacity from 650 AMPs to 1200AMPs under some meteorological situations
the following works were done:
elimination of excessive sagging on some spans, by increasing the tractive force to 30% of the
final stretching force value
terrain leveling (removal of a 50 cm tall hillock) on one span,
erection of additional intermediate towers between spans (three),
replacement of HV current instrument transformers
replacement of HV equipment (for example disconnectors) – current increase from 1000 to
1200 A.

For testing purposes current load was gradually increased to 730 A, with 30 to 45 minute pauses
between individual current changes (Fig. 6). Maximum measured conductor temperature was 73°C.
During measuring, wind speed was between 2 and 4 m/s and air temperature was +7°C. After
completion of works and testing period it has been established that long term load current can be
increased to 750A. The cost of project is reported to be 7% of the cost for new similar line. [3]

Fig.6: Conductor current and temperature monitoring data at the moment of maximum load
increase of 110kV OHL

7. Pilot project – measured data analysis

The basic intent of the pilot project DV 2 x 110 kV Črnuče – Kleče is to monitor OTLM device
functioning in the natural environment. The pilot installation has been used for data analysis on
catenary geometry and its temperature dependency. The data was gained with different measuring
methods and from various sources and experts.

Basic information on the selected testing ground:

OHL: 2x110 kV Črnuče – Kleče
Conductor: 240/40 mm2 material Al/Fe (ACSR)
Span: SM28-SM29

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Altitude: 291 m
Span length: 263 m
Tension: 6.65 daN/mm2

The measurements were carried out on Wednesday, August 11th, 2010, at around 12 p.m., on the span
SM28-SM29:
- Ultrasonic meter, type SupaRule 300s,
- Terrestrial laser scanner, type Z+F IMAGER 5006i.
In the year 1982 geodetic measurements (PZI documentation or execution design) were made and in
the year 2007 aerial laser scanning (LiDAR) was carried out with the device Optech ALTM 3100.

The following data was obtained (see Table I and II):

- PZI documentation (execution design) [6],
- LiDAR, laser scanned data, gathered in the data base GRID.MC,
- Data from the geographic information system (GIS),
- Weather station in ELES, RTP Beričevo (DAMOS),
- Public weather station Ljubljana – Črnuče (ARSO),
- Laser scanning (terrestrial laser),
- Ultrasonic height meter,
- OTLM data (see Fig. 7).

Table I: Measurement data on August 11th, 2010

Data title Location Data
OHL cross section PZI Design - documentation
OHL cross section GRID.MC Design – E-record ELES
Conductor temp. OTLM Max. measurement 37 °C
Conductor current OTLM 258 A (at 12:40 p.m.)
Ambient temp. OTLM 33.2 °C (at 12:40 p.m.)
Ambient humidity OTLM 44.4 % (at 12:40 p.m.)
Ambient temp. DAMOS 27.8 °C
Ambient humidity DAMOS No measurement (n/a)
Solar radiation DAMOS 657.6 W/m2
Wind speed DAMOS 3 m/s
Wind direction DAMOS 344.6 °
Ambient temp. ARSO 28 °C
Ambient humidity ARSO 55 %
Solar radiation ARSO 779 W/m2
Wind speed ARSO 3.2 m/s
Wind direction ARSO North East
Conductor current ELES 233.7 A (at 12:42 p.m.)

Fig.7: OTLM Viewer connection to OTLM device via local access:

Bluetooth: measurements and alarm state display

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Fig. 8: Catenary on span CM28-SM29 determined with different methods

Additional comments on the collected data shown in Fig. 8 are needed, because of big differences in
these figures. Data analysis (Table II) from Fig. 8 reflects possible errors in data processing (at temp. +
40 °C), collected from different sources.

Table II: Data collected with various methods

Method Sag 40 °C Height 40 °C Tower height
PZI docum. (old calculation) - year 1982 8.22 m 16.66 m
New calculation – ORANGE COLOUR 9.07 m 11.10 m 16.66 m
LiDAR – VIOLET COLOUR* 11.53 m 8.99 m 16.68 m
Ultrasonic measurement – BLUE COLOUR 6.99 m 12.68 m 16.19 m
Terrestrial laser scanner 8.83 m 11.50 m 16.66 m
*PLS CAD simulation– LiDAR scan (conductor temp. 60 °C and ambient temp. 40 °C)

The mathematical calculation of sag on this span shows, that the change in temperature from 0 °C to +
40 °C increases the sag from 8.058 m to 9.129 m, which is an increase of 1.071 m.

Differences arise from calculation methods (old and new calculations were not made with the same
programme), measuring methods (ultrasonic measurement is not accurate enough) and LiDAR data,
which has pointed out the safety height reduction at high conductor and ambient temperaure.

The following conditions have to be ensured for OTLM device application:

- Correct determination of the actual state of catenary geometry in a natural environment
with an accurate measuring method (laser, geodetic plan),
- Field measurements should be carried out by qualified experts (land surveyor),
- Field changes should be considered (in the last thirty years this specific testing ground has
been changed by terrain configuration, local roads have been macadamized, terrain height
has been changed with cultivation and tillage, vegetation is different – grasslands, corn,
undergrowth, trees),
- In the last thiry years conductor geometry or mechanics has also changed (plastic
deformation or conductor elongation).

It is presumed that for the usage of an OTLM device in a specific critical span precise catenary
geometry measurements at actual condustor state, conductor temperature and surrounding weather
conditions (temperature, wind direction and strength, humidity, solar radiation) must be ensured. Only

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such acquired data can guarantee the correct alarm state settings or predicitons of transfer overloads on
overhead lines.

The offered measurement toleraces of conductor temperature (up to 2 °C) are sufficiently accurate,
because geometric deviations in the fild caused by vegetation and other objects are more disturbing for
data analysis. If OTLM device is installed on a critical span, temperature data and measurement of sag
and clearance with ground laser, detrmines OHL capacity.

8. Conclusion

Temperature monitoring is definitely a tool which improves OHL operation in many aspects. Case
studies show various use of temperature monitoring in OHL operation and benefits for OHL operation
such as:
More accurate modeling of OHL,
Evaluation of ampacity and sag ,
Optimization of OHL power regimes management,
Alerting emergency conditions,
Predicting real time capacity of OHL ( used together with weather forecast stations) ,
Uprating of OHL.

Since temperature monitoring is increasing grid observability and analytics to support advanced grid
operation and control power delivery chain integration with high level utility strategic planning
function it is definitely inevitable part of smart grid.

Bibliography

[1] Jeffery Taft: The intelligent power grid (IBM 2006)

[2] Dr. Ing. Stelian GAL, Dr. Ing. Traian Fagarasan, Dr. Ing. Constantin Moldoveanu
Drd. Ing. Valentin ZAHARESCU,Ing. Marius Oltean: Integrated system of online ETG
monitoring parameters, part of the smart grid development
[3] A.V.Zukov, B.I. Mekhanoshin, V.A. Shakptsov: Conductor estate monitoring as a tool to improve
of controlling loaded network infrastructure elements under normal and post emergent operating
conditions (Cigre PS-3, 7-10 Sept 2009, Moscow)
[4] Management of risks due to load-flow increases in transmission OHL, CIGRE, TF B2.20
(Techincal brochure No. 385, June 2009)
[5] Guidelines for increased utilization of existing overhead transmission lines, CIGRE, WG B2.13
(Techincal brochure No. 353, August 2008)
[6] PGD and PZI, DV 2x110 kV Kleče - Črnuče, project nr. 4549, IBE, October 1982,
[7] V. Lovrenčič, M. Gabrovšek, M. Marinšek, M. Polak, Conductor temperature monitoring in the
slovenian transmission network, Transmission&Distribution, EUROPE 2010, Amsterdam, 29.3.-
31.3.2010.