Summer thermal capabilities of transmission lines in Northern California based on a comprehensive study of wind conditions

Prior thermal rating studies have considered wind unpredictable. The authors state that local winds appear well behaved and statistically predictable and that they are not independent from the ambient temperature and solar insolation. This means that appropriate probabilistic analysis of wind speeds can be used to potentially increase conductor ampacities. High-quality weather measuring stations located in the actual environment of transmission lines are used. The observations indicate a high probability that many transmission lines in Northern California could have their ampacity ratings increased.<>