Reinforcement strategies for extending the service life of 110 kV overhead transmission lines

TEAG provides its services to the private and commercial sectors in central Germany in an urban and rural supply area totalling 13,572 km. The system is comprised of a comprehensive, 110 kV transmission network and distribution networks of different voltages. Some of the links in the transmission network are more than fifty years old. Since these overhead transmission lines will become even more important for supplying energy and for transmitting information in the future, it was necessary to determine whether existing links could be refurbished or whether new links need to be built. During the course of the study of the transmission line network, we investigated the condition of insulators and conductor cables, and the degree of steel structures corrosion in the ground area of the utility towers. The report proposes that despite the intended installation of a combination of optical fiber cable and earth wire it is possible to refurbish the transmission links without undertaking major structural changes on the steel towers. The report describes the problems that must be solved in undertaking such measures