Novel, Low-Cost, Non-Contact, High Accuracy Sensor for the Simultaneous, Reliable, Real-time Determination and Monitoring of HV Transmission Line Sag, Temperature, Current, and Ampacity.

79716S Demand for electriciy has grown significantly faster than the transmission system's capability to deliver it reliably. As a result, the system is being operated in a manner for which it was not designed; bottlenecks and congestion, blackouts, equipment damage, and system disturbances are becoming widespread, and are occurring with ever increasing frequency, duration, extent, and economic effect. The low-cost monitoring of congested circuits would improve reliability, enhance transmission capacity, relieve congestion, reduce costs to consumers, increase efficiency, and decrease operational risks. However, existing real-time monitoring and dynamic rating systems for transmission circuits have total installed costs that significantly exceed $100,000, impeding the benefits of these technologies. This project will develop a simple, reliable, low cost, non-contact overhead transmission line sensor that will monitor phase conductor sag, temperature, ampacity, and phase current, in real-time, with high accuracy/resolution. Phase I will engineer, prototype, mathematically model, deliver, and extensively field-test a low cost, non-contact sensor for the above measurments. The characteristics, performance, and behavior of the device will be compared to the underlying electromagnetic theory. Operating specifications, performance, and the manufactured cost of the device will be determined. Also, a preliminary set of engineering and operating specifications for a low-cost, reliable, readily scaleable wireless sensor communications network will be developed. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: The new sensor should allow low-cost, real-time monitoring and allieviation of congested paths, and will enable widespread implementation of dynamic rating. The key benefits to the public will be an increased reliability of electric power delivery and supply, and reduced electricity prices.