Transmission Line Structure Spotting and Optimization within a Defined Transmission Line Routing Centerline Using Non-Linear Programming Models

Abstract

Changes in our nation’s economy and growing global warming concerns have slowed the energy markets in United States. However, one area that continues to have strong growth is the transmission and distribution infrastructure. Utilities are investing billions of dollars into transmission and distribution to ensure that electricity purchased from customers is delivered in reliable and efficient manner. This is commonly called updating the “grid”.

The demand for updating the grid has turned transmission and distribution sector into a highly competitive market. Any competitive advantage that can provide an opportunity to win a project can be beneficial in the growing of a company. This research report provides a modeling tool that will spot and optimize structure heights for overhead transmission lines. The modeling tool will address common problems in determining overhead transmission line structure heights and locations. Some of the common problems consist of structure locations often having to be manually moved through out the life of the project. It’s difficult to incorporate all design constraints and considerations in existing modeling tools; therefore, manually moving structures is commonly done.

Existing modeling tools are analyzed to determine their strengths and weakness in relation to their transmission line structure spotting capabilities. A new modeling tool is created using Microsoft Excel. The intent of this new modeling tool is to incorporate all design aspects of existing modeling tools into one quick and easy structure spotting and optimization tool.