Current Limiting Conductors: A Distributed Approach for Increasing T&D System Capacity and Enhancing Reliability

This paper presents a new approach for maximizing the capacity of a meshed power system through the use of current limiting conductor (CLiC) modules that clip on to the power line to realize a distributed series impedance. When the CLiC modules sense an overload, they operate in a coordinated manner, without any communications, to gradually increase the line impedance ´pushing´ current to other more ´receptive´ portions of the network so as to prevent a thermal overload on the line. The resulting network is seen to be self-organizing, automatically diverting current from overloaded to underutilized lines, increasing system capacity and enhancing reliability under (N-1) contingency operating conditions. The simple implementation of the current limiting conductor (CLiC) modules also promises low cost. This paper presents the basic concept, shows simulation and experimental results, and applies the CLiC modules to a 4 bus test system and to the IEEE 39 bus system. The ability to utilize the static and dynamic capacity of the network promises important system-wide benefits including increased line and system capacity utilization; increased reliability; improved operation under contingencies; incremental deployment; and rapid implementation