Application of Dynamic Line Rating to Defer Transmission Network Reinforcement due to Wind Generation

Abstract:
Since February 2008, Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) has instrumented several 110kV overhead lines with monitoring equipment to measure local weather conditions and conductor temperature to investigate the possibility of applying Dynamic Line Ratings (DLR) as a possible interim solution to further connect wind farms while the long-term solution is being developed. Previous work has shown that DLR has the potential to increase the capacity of existing overhead lines. However, there are occasions when the real-time / dynamic rating does not increase above the static rating. As the overhead lines are close to wind farms, this paper investigates the potential correlation between increased wind farm output (and hence increased demand on the network) and line rating of nearby overhead lines. This work is based on simulation network studies of NIE's network and line rating derived from historical weather measurements. Results are presented for a variety of network configurations and wind farm outputs.