Inspection, assessment and asset management of overhead transmission lines
Utilities need to understand the condition of their overhead transmission lines to effectively manage and maintain them at their designed level of performance and safety. Inspection and assessment research is needed to understand the current condition of transmission assets, extend the life of those assets while keeping the aging infrastructure performance at levels that meet the reliability expectations of the public.
Structure and Sub-Grade Corrosion Management
Transmission lines are affected by sub-grade corrosion damage resulting in costly outages, increased maintenance costs, and potential health risks. Visual inspection by excavation, which is the predominant method of condition assessment for sub-grade inspections, is costly and labor intensive. This project intends to identify corrosion issues, characterize corrosion types, and develop appropriate corrosion management solutions for funders. The project will develop the technical basis for decision support in dealing with subgrade corrosion of transmission line structures as well as the tools to make cost-effective corrosion management decisions. This may include the development of inspection techniques, improved assessment practices, and mitigation methods for specific corrosion types.
Live Working: Research, Techniques and Procedures
Higher transmission loads are forcing utilities to keep transmission lines in service every day. Outages for maintenance are more difficult to obtain.
Performance and Maintenance of High-Temperature Conductors
Recently developed high-temperature conductors offer the advantages of higher current capacity, lower conductor sag, and lower line losses than conventional ACSR (aluminum conductor steel-reinforced) conductors. This project addresses issues related to the long-term performance of these conductors.
New and Emerging Inspection and Sensing Technologies
The project will deliver the following tasks:
- Identify and document the technical capability and limitations of new and emerging inspection/sensing technologies,
- Document use cases where new and emerging technologies have been utilized in the field,
- Identify gaps in currently available inspection technologies and possible applicable technologies to meet ?members' requirements,
- Conduct laboratory and field evaluation of new and emerging technologies.
Benefits
Inspection, assessment and asset management of overhead transmission lines
If successful, this programme of work will deliver the following:
- Report on New Version of OHTL Inspection, Assessment and Asset Management Reference Guide;
- Report on Overhead Transmission Line Component Performance and Failure Summaries-2015;
- Guidelines for Assessing the Condition of Overhead Transmission Line Components;
- Guide for Data Collection Requirements to Evaluate Line Component Condition.
Structure and sub-grade corrosion management
Success in this area will be measured against the delivery of the following:
- Report on Remediation Methods for Concrete Foundations;
- Report in Corrosion Probe Development for Assessing Grillage foundations, Anchors and Steel Poles;
- Report on Coating System Selection and Application Guidelines;
- Report on Design changes for concentration cell corrosion in bolt details: pack-out in weathering steel and galvanized carbon steel construction.
Live working: research, techniques and procedures
The success criteria for this work package will be the delivery of the following:
- Report on Basic Data for Calculation of Minimum Approach Distance (MAD) and Gap Factor for Live Work
- Report on Electrical Performance of New Jacketed Rope for Live Work
- Guide to the Design of Transmission Structures to Facilitate Maintenance and Live Working
- Tool with Probable Causes of Recent Flashovers of Live Working
- Report on the Impact of Recently Released Regulatory Requirements on Live Working
Performance and maintenance of high-temperature conductors
This project will delivery the following:
- Guide for Selection and Application of High-Temperature Conductors;
- Guide for Maintenance of High-Temperature Conductors.
New and emerging inspection and sensing technologies
This project will me measured against the delivery of the following:
- Software Tool for with Inspection & Sensing Information;
- Report detailing the Evaluation of Emerging Inspection or Sensing Technology.
