Microwave Repeater Power Supply Tapped From the Overhead Ground Wire on 735 kV Transmission Lines

The presence of electrical energy in the overhead ground wire on transmission lines has been known for many years. Its possible utilization in remote areas offers many advantages but unfortunately due to technological problems, the access to this source was very difficult. Hydro-Quebec, as a utility interested in this energy source, asked its Research Institute to carry out studies of its possible applications. Very encouraging results have been obtained and this paper describes the various solutions examined with a view to make use of such available power at low cost together with the solution adopted for building an operational 35 kW prototype; this prototype was developed for the microwave repeaters of James Bay project.