Dynamic line rating-based routing of overhead transmission lines for wind energy integration

Abstract

The increasing integration of renewable energy sources, particularly wind power, into the electrical grid presents significant challenges for energy transmission infrastructure. While Dynamic Line Rating (DLR) has emerged as a key technology to enhance the capacity of existing power lines by considering real-time weather conditions, its application in the design of new transmission line routes, especially in complex terrains where wind farms are often located, remains insufficiently investigated. Current route design methodologies, primarily based on LeastCost Path (LCP) techniques using Geographic Information Systems (GIS), focus on minimizing environmental, technical, and economic costs but neglect the crucial electrical criterion of a line?s thermal capacity. Existing attempts to incorporate DLR into route planning have been limited by the use of low-resolution meteorological data and a lack of accurate span modelling, critical for effective DLR implementation. This paper proposes a novel methodology for designing line routes that integrates DLR to maximize transmission capacity. Our approach addresses the existing research gap by combining micro-scale wind field simulations over complex terrain with a novel raster-based kernel for graph connectivity and span modelling. This method allows for a more precise estimation of wind cooling effects along potential line routes. By integrating GIS tools, wind flow simulations, multi-criteria analysis, and graph theory, this study aims to design routes that not only adhere to traditional constraints but also traverse areas with optimal cooling conditions. The resulting methodology facilitates the development of transmission infrastructures with increased efficiency and capacity, ultimately supporting the large-scale integration of renewable energy.