On-Load Network De-Icer Specification for a Large Transmission Network

• Published in: IEEE transactions on power delivery Vol. 22; no. 3; pp. 1947 - 1955
• Main Authors: Cloutier, R., Bergeron, A., Brochu, J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY IEEE 01.07.2007; Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers; The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Bundled conductors; Circuit breakers; Conductors; Connection and protection apparatus; Disengaging; Distributed parameter circuits; Electric utilities; Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering; Electrical power engineering; Exact sciences and technology; Feasibility studies; Flexible printed circuits; heating; Ice; Networks; Operation. Load control. Reliability; Power networks and lines; Power system planning; Power transmission lines; Storms; Substations; Switches; Switching circuits; Switching theory; Transformers; Transformers and inductors; Transmission lines; Weather conditions; Canada; North America; America; Quebec; Electric transformer; Storm; Load distribution; Electric energy transportation; ice; Defrosting; Transmission line; Transportation network; Stream line; Alternating current; Joule effect; Substation; transformers; Meteorological phenomenon; Phase shift; Forming; transmission lines; Circuit breaker; Heating; Bundled conductors; Feasibility; Disconnecting switch; Planning; High voltage line; Power transmission line; conductors
• ISSN: 0885-8977; 1937-4208
• DOI: 10.1109/TPWRD.2007.899772

This paper presents a feasibility study conducted with a view to installing an on-load network de-icer (ONDI) for de-icing HV transmission lines forming part of the Matapedia subtransmission network operated by Hydro-Quebec. The ONDI concept makes use of a phase-shifting transformer (PST) to induce very large ac currents to heat line conductors by the joule effect. A single ONDI can handle a number of lines of different length with no need to transfer loads to other lines or disconnect them. In the study presented, more than 900 km of 230- and 315-kV HV circuits can be de-iced with one ONDI installed at Rimouski substation. To put the ONDI to work, only existing circuit breakers need to be operated so that no open-air (ice-sensitive) disconnecting switches are involved. The adequacy of this planning study is also discussed here with regard to taking into account uncertainties related to the weather conditions expected for severe ice storms.