Optimising the thermal environment and the ampacity of underground power cables using the gravitational search algorithm

• Published in: IET generation, transmission & distribution Vol. 12; no. 2; pp. 423 - 430
• Main Authors: Perović, Bojan D, Tasić, Dragan S, Klimenta, Dardan O, Radosavljević, Jordan N, Jevtić, Miroljub D, Milovanović, Miloš. J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: The Institution of Engineering and Technology 30.01.2018
• Subjects: backfill material; cable ampacity maximisation; cable bedding dimension; cable trench dimension; generalised pattern search algorithm; gravitational search algorithm; installation cost minimisation; interaxial spacing; minimisation; nonlinear optimisation problem; nonlinear programming; power cables; Research Article; search problems; simulated annealing; simulated annealing algorithm; thermal environment; underground cables; underground power cable line; cable ampacity maximisation; simulated annealing; nonlinear programming; interaxial spacing; thermal environment; cable bedding dimension; nonlinear optimisation problem; underground power cable line; installation cost minimisation; simulated annealing algorithm; power cables; underground cables; gravitational search algorithm; generalised pattern search algorithm; minimisation; search problems; cable trench dimension; backfill material
• ISSN: 1751-8687; 1751-8695; 1751-8695
• DOI: 10.1049/iet-gtd.2017.0954

This study takes into consideration a problem that commonly occurs at the design stage of underground cable lines and that relates to the manner of determining the optimal values for dimensions of cable trench and bedding, interaxial spacings between power cables in flat formation and cable ampacities. The problem is formulated as a non-linear optimisation problem with constraints. The gravitational search algorithm, simulated annealing algorithm and generalised pattern search algorithm are used to solve the problem. The optimal solutions are obtained based on the following three optimisation criteria: (i) minimisation of the total installation costs, i.e. the total costs for producing the cable trench, laying the bedding material, laying the backfill material and installing the cables, (ii) maximisation of the cable ampacity and (iii) a simultaneous application of the minimisation of the total installation costs and the maximisation of the cable ampacity. The constraints on design and control variables are introduced through penalty factors by means of which the objective function is expanded. The procedure is conducted taking into account the effect of drying out of the soil surrounding the cables.