Lithuania’s electricity transmission system operator Litgrid announced on Tuesday (23 January) that it has completed tests of artificial intelligence (AI) and sensor technology on solar and wind farms.
During the tests, special devices were installed on power lines to measure weather conditions and an innovative model assessed the current and predicted potential line capacity. This technology increased the average capacity of power transmission lines by 52 per cent, compared to the specified design capacity, according to the study’s results.
New physical sensors installed on the power lines measured weather conditions, the temperature of the line conductors, current, vibration strength and frequency, which made it possible to estimate the deflection of the conductor. The sensors were implemented on the 110 kV power line Palanga–Vėjas 1 in the Klaipėda region. Additionally, a capacity assessment model was created for the 330 kV power line Kaunas–Šiauliai.
“We installed sensors to better evaluate the adaptability and possibilities of Dynamic Line Rating technology. We have been testing the technology since October 2022. The test data show that it has a lot of potential, as it allows for the transmission of more electricity without significant additional costs, which is especially relevant when integrating more renewable energy power plants into the transmission network,” said Liutauras Varanavičius, Litgrid’s Director of the Strategy Department.
Litgrid is currently conducting an analysis with Belgian grid monitoring company Ampacimon to select locations for further development of dynamic capacity technology in Lithuania’s power transmission network.
“The collected data and the innovative model allowed us to determine the actual sag of the line, which is a crucial factor in ensuring safe line loads. The greatest potential of this technology was revealed in winter when an 80 per cent increase in line capacity was achieved in January,” said Audrius Baranauskas, Head of Innovation at Litgrid.
Over the next few years, the Lithuanian power system operator plans to implement dynamic line rating technology in about 10 per cent of Lithuania’s transmission network. Further technology development decisions are expected to be made at a later date, the company noted in a press release.