Critical span identification model for dynamic thermal rating system placement

Dynamic thermal rating (DTR) system is one of the efficient ways to increase transmission lines utilisation. Ideally, its application requires the deployment of sensors on each span of the transmission line. This is because a transmission line normally traverses a large geographical area and is affected by various weather conditions. Consequently, each span elongates differently and has different thermal ratings from one another. However, due to the large number of spans, it is uneconomical to place sensors on each span. Whilst doing that, it is also vital to ensure that the DTRs do not cause overrating in any spans to the point of causing ground clearance infringement. Among these spans, some appear to have lower thermal capacity due to its undesirable surrounding weather conditions and may also have smaller ground clearances. In this study, these spans are known as the “critical span”. This study proposed that by monitoring only these critical spans, the DTRs obtained can be safely applied to all other spans without the risk of ground clearance infringement. To do that, a novel critical span identification technique for the optimum placement of DTR sensors is presented in this paper.