TRANSMISSION
Cigre Paris 2008 feedback- Study
committee B2: Overhead lines
by D Muftic, on behalf of R Stephen, with assistance from Pierre Marais, Riaz Vajett and Viven Naidoo
This is a summary of the discussion which took place during the 2008 open session of the Cigre group B2: Overhead Lines. The session dealt
with three specific preferential subjects, two of which are covered here. 27 papers were published and 40 prepared discussions were given
showing a high interest in the preferential subjects.
The first preferential subject on increasing
capacity of overhead lines was prepared
with the participation of SC C1 (System
development and economics). The second
preferential subject was on solutions to
improve the availability of overhead lines.
The discussion meeting was divided into
two parts, each dealing with a preferential
subject. SC B2 Chairman, B Dalle chaired
the session, the special reporters were
P Pramayon (PS 1) and G Brennan (PS 2).
Dalle opened the meeting with a summary
of SC B2 activities and brief information
about ongoing organizational changes
in Cigre.
Preferential subject number one :
Pierre Pramayon
Preferential subject one dealt with increasing
the capacity of overhead lines. Papers
received under this preferential subject are
classified into four categories:
l High temperature conductors or new
type of conductors
l Transmission capacity increase by use
of weather records and predictions,
probability based rating or real time
monitoring equipment
l General papers on overhead line
(OHL) transmission capacity increase
solutions, High Surge Impedance
Loading Lines(HSILL) and environmental
impact
l Conversion of AC lines into DC
Under high temperature conductors or
new type of conductors two papers
(B2-106 and B2-112), were presented
dealing with the application of composite
core and aluminium conductor steel
supported ( ACSS) conductors. There was
nothing significantly new in that area.
Transmission capacity increase by use
of weather records and predictions and
probability based rating or real time
monitoring equipment is a subgroup with
three papers (B2-101, B2-102 and B2-105),
dealing mostly with indirect methods of
dynamic rating. The issue of applications
that are acceptable for system operators
was emphasized as well as the use of
forecasting techniques which anticipate
requirements set by the Regulator in the
best way.
There was a group of general papers
on OHL transmission capacity increase
solutions. HSILL lines and environmental
impact had four submissions (B2-108, B2-
109, B2-111, B2-107). The most interesting
was discussion on the use of HSILL lines
concept and the experience of about 20
years (Eletronorte), which provided large
cost saving and gave good performance.
One question from the reporter was about
the point at which the HVDC solution
becoming more economical than HSILL
AC. JWG-B2/B4/C1.17 is dealing in-depth
with that question and their latest discussion
on that is given in Appendix 1.
Conversion of AC lines into DC was the
subject of two papers. One related to
conversions of a 300 kV line in Norway
(B2-110), and another with the conversion
of 275 kV lines in South African (B2-104). Our
(South African) paper was a compilation
of two interrelated issues in that regard:
network planners and designers interaction
and feasibility of AC/DC conversion on
one specific example of lines in KZN. It
was proven, through discussion, that such
conversion is feasible, but to make it cost
effective and reliable requires in-depth
studies and well coordinated efforts. On
the issue of comparison of clearances
and right-of-way (ROW) for AC and DC lines
(one of the questions from the reporter),
more detailed analysis was done, which
proved among others, that clearances and
ROW are not fully consistent in our current
practice (see details in Appendix 2).
On the same subject of clearances, a more
recent compilation of tower top geometry
and mid-span clearances was produced
by TB 348, WG B2.06 (the excerpt is given
in Appendix 3).
Preferential subject number two:
Gary Brennan
This Preferential subject dealt with solutions
to improve the availability of lines, important
to the economic well being and social
stability of modern societies.The following
special topics were identified :
l Maintenance and refurbishment
methods based on diagnostic tools
and methods
l Increasing reliability and security by
improving electrical and mechanical
performances: mechanical strength
coordination, foundation assessment,
de-icing methods, anti-cascading
towers, mechanical fuses, etc.
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l Solutions for a quick recover y:
e m e r g e n c y s t r u c t u r e s, details of
fault and emergency recovery pans;
construction of temporary lines, etc.
On maintenance and refurbishment
methods based on diagnostic tools and
methods, five papers were submitted
(B2-207, B2-208, B-2-209 B2.2-10 and
B2-213), dealing with different diagnostic
methods and preventive maintenance
approaches.
In increasing reliability and security by
improving electrical and mechanical
per formances: mechanical strength
coordination, foundation assessment,
de-icing methods, anti-cascading towers,
mechanical fuses, etc. (papers B2-203
to B2-206 and B2-211 to B2-215) several
up-rating and upgrading techniques were
discussed. The topic provided a ver y
interesting group of practical problems and
engineering solution in present international
practice.
One of the most interesting contributions
in this subgroup was on raising of towers
without removing conductors. Mr. Suzuki
Kanji from Japan presented discussion
which dealt with the development of a
hydraulic device that could lift a tower while
the conductors are still attached so that
the bottom of the tower could be repaired,
strengthened, or a body extension put in.
When the equipment is used it is possible
to raise a tower by up to 9 m in one day.
Already over 100 towers have been raised
using the device. This device could be
useful for instances were towers have to
be raised to obtain additional ground
clearances such as on abnormal load
routes. It can also be used to raise towers
in cases where a line is being up-rated and
requires additional ground clearance.
Finally, it is worthwhile mentioning that a
rather interesting exhibition was presented
during Cigre conference on visually
improved towers designs. Some details
are given in Appendix 4.
Appendix A1: Impacts of HVDC lines on the
economics of HVDC projects
R i a z Va j e t h, D z e v a d M u f t i c and Pat
Naidoo are corresponding members of
this important workgroup. Riaz and Pat
attended the workgroup meeting in Paris.
The draft final report was reviewed at this
meeting. The workgroup was formed in
TRANSMISSION

Umax Un Vpeak, Normal Switching Lightning ROW

(kV) (kV) VDC operation clearance clearance (m)
(kV) clearance (m) (m)
(m)
145 132 118 0,35 1,3 1,45 36
245 220 200 0,6 1,88 2,1 (43)
300 275 245 0,7 2,2 2,5 47
362 330 295 0,86 2,6 2,9 (51)
420 400 342 1 2,9 3,2 55
(491) (400) 1,2 3,35 3,7 (60)
(654) 533 1,55 4,3 3,7(4,6) 30(70)
800 765 652 1,9 5,2 5,5 (70)80

Table. 1: Figures in brackets represent interpolated values.

of the tower top to ensure that the electrical

Fig. 1: Economic voltages ($-million per year) as a function of
power and length.
2005, after it was realised that HVDC will start
increasing in usage, because of IGBT’s and
other high speed devices and at a relatively
lower cost than before. The main purpose
was to look into the cost of the transmission
line and converter station as a whole, and
study which voltage will be most economical,
over a life cycle of 30 years. Voltages from
±300 kV to ±800 kV were considered, these
being the current state of the art.
Issues like capital costs and maintenance
costs of lines and substations were carefully
evaluated, based on real data from utilities
and manufacturers around the world.
Converter station losses, typically 2%, and
line losses (both joule and corona) were
considered in the evaluation. The study is
meant to provide a useful guide on how
to evaluate a project when HVDC is being
considered. Planners faced with a task
of transporting 500 MW to 6000 MW, over
distances from 750 km to 3000 km, will find
this report a very useful guide indeed.
A summary of the results of the report is
shown in Fig. 1.
In the figure Red-> ±-800 kV; Green->
±-600 kV; Pink->±-500 kV; Blue->±-300 kV.
The black (±-300 kV) curve shows the area
below which ±-300 kV is the economical
HVDC voltage. The blue and pink curves
shows the breakeven point between 300 kV
and 500 kV, when considering transmission
d i s t a n c e s o f 7 5 0 0 k m, 1 5 0 0 k m a n d
3000 km. For example if one wants to
transfer 700 MW over 1500 km, ±-300 kV
will be a likely choice. Similarly, if 4500 MW
needs to be transferred over 750 km, 800
kV is most economic.
Appendix A2.
A relation between the required clearance
for AC and DC voltage and width of ROW
is analysed on the example from Eskom’s
practice, related laboratory tests on high
altitude and a more recent investigation
into the subject. The effect of pollution on
clearances and tower geometry (the issue
of differences between insulation in polluted
environment between AC and DC) is not
anticipated here.
We used Umax AC voltages as a reference for
the analysis because of the simple reason
that normal operation voltages in an AC
system are standardized, but not in DC. That
is why in the case of a given DC voltage,
corresponding (hypothetical) AC operating
voltages are calculated. Table 1 shows the
relationship between clearances and related
voltages in AC and DC, as well as relationship
to the ROW, or servitude width.
We can come to the conclusion from the
overview, among others, that the maximum
normal operating voltage which can be
reached by upgrading a 275 kV existing line,
described in paper B2-104, using the same
overvoltage levels on DC as on AC (rather
conservative assumption), will be on the
level of ± 250 kV. The increase of this level
to about ± 350 kV, maintaining the same
clearances (existing tower) is possible only by
reducing ( the assumption) of overvoltages,
both switching and lightning. The required
ROW will be slightly reduced, on the level of
approximately 45 m.
If the decision will be in favor of more radical
solution, by changing tower top geometry,
and choosing DC voltage on the level of
± 500 kV, which is quite close to our existing
Apollo-Cahora Bassa ± 533 kV system, the
equivalent hypothetical AC voltage will be
about 654 kV (Umax), related clearances are
as for ± 533 kV. It should also be considered
being on more conservative side.
The ROW for all voltage levels is estimated
using typical line and tower configurations
(mostly flat phase configuration). The rather
low figure for ROW for the Apollo-Cahora
Bassa example is a result of the monopole
configuration applied here. The results
correspond fairly well with the more extensive
analyses of clearances and ROW for HVDC
system within B2-06(JWG17) .
Appendix A3: tower top geometry and
midspan clearances
The paper gives guidance on the method
for calculation of the geometric dimensions
clearances required at the tower and mid-
span are achieved.Wind is a significant
factor in determining the position of the
conductors in the span as well as the position
of the insulators at the tower and hence a
good understanding of the expected winds
is essential to a good design. The approach
used to calculate the conductor and
insulator positions is a probabilistic one. The
paper comprises five parts as follows:
l Analysis of existing methods
l Determination of swing angles for set
wind loads
l Comparison of available information on
clearances for different overvoltages
l Proposals for co-ordination of conductor
positions and electrical clearances
l Examples
This approach is very different to that which
is currently applied in South Africa where
standard wind pressures (100 Pa and 500 Pa)
are used to determine the insulator swing.
These different pressures are then associated
with different overvoltage stresses that can
occur in the system. Wind with a 50 year
return period is used for the calculations.
Wind values are adjusted for height above
ground in accordance with IEC 60826.
Standard values for overvoltages as given
in IEC 60071 are used in the calculations.
The clearances to be maintained under
the different overvoltages are calculated
in accordance with the Cigre TB 72. The
GAP factors that are recommended for the
calculations are given In Table 2.
The equations used to calculate the required
clearances are given in the Technical
Brochure.
Phase-to-earth clearances
The corresponding phase-to-earth clearances
D pe_ff and D pe_sf are calculated using the
formulae (3.1) and (3.2):
Fast front overvoltages:
(3.1)
Slow front overvoltages:
(3.2)
where:

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TRANSMISSION

Figs. 2, 3 and 4: Overhead lines as industrial art.

Configuration kg Pierre Marais, Riaz Vajett and Viven Naidoo.

Conductor-window, e. g. air gap configuration between a conductor inside a tower and the Contact Ken King, Merz & Mclellan,
tower structure Tel 011 886-6573, king@merz.co.za v
1,25
- vertical string or V string inside the window
Conductor-structure, e. g. air gap clearance between a conductor, connected to a free 1,45
swinging insulator string at the extremity of a cross arm, and the tower structure
- vertical string at the extremity of a cross arm
- V-strings
Conductor-conductor 1,60
(1) The gap factor in this table are typical values only. In practice, other values supported by 6
experiments may be used. Typical gap factor values can also be obtained from IEC 60071-2,
annex G.

Table 2: Gap factors Kg for slow-front overvoltages (1).

U 50%_ff is the fast front (lightning impulse)

over voltage being withstood with 50%
probability (kV);
Umax_sf is the maximum slow front (switching)
over voltage which can occur on the
transmission line (kV);
kg is the gap factor (for slow front overvoltages
see Table 2);
ka is the altitude factor for altitude H:

(3.3)

The exponent m follows from the CIGRE

Technical Brochure No. 72 and is between
0,7 and 1,0.
Phase-to phase clearances
The required phase-to-phase clearances
D pp-ff and D pp-sf between conductors can
be obtained modifying equations (3.2) and
(3.3) as follows:
Fast front overvoltages
(3.4)
Slow front overvoltages
(3.5)
In equations (3.4) and (3.5) a gap factor
kg = 1,60 should be used to calculate the
clearances between conductors.
This method of checking insulator and
conductor swing can prove to be quite useful
Fig. 5: Concept aesthic/ decorative tower.
especially in areas were longs spans exist as
the swing angle for the conductor and that
for the insulator are different.
Appendix A4: Exhibition – overhead lines as
“Industrial Art”
An interesting exhibition on “decorated towers”
was hosted by a local French artist. A series of
towers in a highly visible portion of a local town
were decorated and illuminated.
This served as inspiration for the creation of
the concept tower, Fig. 5 which could be
used by Eskom if the opportunity arose.
Acknowledgement
This report was prepared with assistance from

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