Design, Development and Simulation of Power Evacuation Schemes in EHV and UHV Network

Abstract

Increase in power demand in this country and in the entire world is resulting in to an expansion of transmission line network. EHV and UHV lines are being constructed all over the world for transferring bulk power. In India 765 kV lines have come up and preparation for 1200 kV lines is in full swing. The transmission of bulk power to the tune of 1000 MW or 1500 MW per circuit over a long distance need very broad base towers with long cross arms. This means bigger Right of Way (ROW) corridor.

With the ambitious plan of GoI to add more than 1,20,000 MW during 12th five year plan, there is a big rush to construct UHV lines. Due to open access in power sector, private and corporate players have also found the business of power transmission very lucrative. Over last few years EPC (Engineering Procurement and Construction) contracts are being awarded on BOOT (Built own operate and transfer) and BOOM (Built own operate and maintenance) format. This is bound to increase the EHV/UHV network very fast. They can be called as a transmission Highway (THW) as each circuit will evacuate large chunk of power. This will certainly have an impact on the ROW. The compact line is therefore a theme which is talked about these days in developed and developing countries. Till the power reforms came in to existence in the country, the compaction had only one meaning and that is reducing the width of supports (Towers, Poles etc.). With the power reforms in vogue, the equations have changed now. Constructing over head transmission lines have started becoming difficult day by day. Increase in population, rapid urbanization and race for industrialization has added fuel to the fire. Focus is therefore on the transfer of maximum power through a minimum available corridor (ROW). Thus, compaction now necessarily means that optimization of power transfer capability of a transmission line from a given corridor(ROW). Compaction means physical (mechanical) compaction and the electrical compaction. The physical compaction relates to the use of narrow base towers, multi circuit towers, multi voltage towers, monopoles and trestle. The compaction can also be of electrical nature. Bundle configuration of conductor, electrical spacing of phases and circuit, insulation co-ordination optimization of electrical design of transmission line, are some of the important parameters for compaction of line. Guyed towers are also deployed for compaction of lines. Use of high ampacity and high temperature conductors is a unique way to make the transmission line electrically compact.

Project will include all the necessary design calculations with simulation in MATLAB Software, AUTOCAD and programming will be there in MATLAB itself.