An Adaptive Smart Sensor Network for Overhead Lines Thermal Rating Prediction

The need for dynamic loading of overhead lines requires reliable assessment tools that should be able to predict both the evolution of the hot-spot temperature and the associated maximum allowed duration, at any load level and on the basis of the actual conductor thermal state and environmental conditions. In order to address this problem, the paper proposes the employment of a smart sensor network distributed along the line route. Each network’s node, starting from on-line measurements, assesses, by an indirect method of parameter identification, the value of the main variables which regulate the heat exchange between the conductor and its surrounding. Then, starting from these data, each node calculates the load capability curve by solving iteratively a built in dynamic thermal model and transmits the results to a central server by a cooperative based communication paradigm. To assess the performances of the proposed solution, experimental studies obtained on a laboratory overhead line are presented and discussed.