Transmission line trip faults under extreme snow and ice conditions: a case study

Abstract Extreme weather events, particularly snow and ice storms, present significant threats to the stability and reliability of high-voltage transmission lines, leading to substantial disruptions in power supply. This study delves into the causes and consequences of transmission line trip faults...

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Main Author: Guojun Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SpringerOpen 2025-01-01
Series:Energy Informatics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s42162-024-00463-8
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author Guojun Zhang
author_facet Guojun Zhang
author_sort Guojun Zhang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Extreme weather events, particularly snow and ice storms, present significant threats to the stability and reliability of high-voltage transmission lines, leading to substantial disruptions in power supply. This study delves into the causes and consequences of transmission line trip faults that occur under severe winter conditions, with a focused case study in Inner Mongolia—an area frequently impacted by snow and ice hazards. By systematically analyzing field data collected during critical periods of ice accumulation, this research identifies and examines key factors contributing to faults, such as conductor galloping, insulator degradation, and structural fatigue. These issues are often exacerbated by prolonged exposure to low temperatures and high wind speeds, which further compromise the integrity of transmission infrastructure. In addition to field observations, comprehensive testing of the affected insulators and components reveals mechanical and electrical vulnerabilities that play a significant role in the occurrence of trip faults. To combat these challenges, the paper proposes a series of mitigation and prevention strategies. These include enhancing design specifications to ensure resilience against increased ice and wind loads, deploying real-time monitoring systems capable of detecting early indicators of conductor galloping and ice accumulation, and employing advanced de-icing technologies to reduce the risk of ice-related failures. Moreover, the integration of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and artificial intelligence (AI)-based fault detection tools presents promising opportunities for improving remote monitoring capabilities and enabling proactive maintenance interventions. By leveraging these innovative technologies, the resilience of transmission lines in harsh climates can be significantly enhanced. The findings of this study not only provide a comprehensive framework for minimizing the impact of extreme weather on transmission infrastructure but also contribute valuable insights toward fostering a more reliable and resilient power grid capable of withstanding the challenges posed by an increasingly volatile climate.
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spelling doaj-art-672a4090714f488bbc12cd1513b329b82025-01-19T12:40:35ZengSpringerOpenEnergy Informatics2520-89422025-01-018112110.1186/s42162-024-00463-8Transmission line trip faults under extreme snow and ice conditions: a case studyGuojun Zhang0Inner Mongolia Extra-High Voltage Power Supply Branch Company, Inner Mongolia Power (Group) Co., LtdAbstract Extreme weather events, particularly snow and ice storms, present significant threats to the stability and reliability of high-voltage transmission lines, leading to substantial disruptions in power supply. This study delves into the causes and consequences of transmission line trip faults that occur under severe winter conditions, with a focused case study in Inner Mongolia—an area frequently impacted by snow and ice hazards. By systematically analyzing field data collected during critical periods of ice accumulation, this research identifies and examines key factors contributing to faults, such as conductor galloping, insulator degradation, and structural fatigue. These issues are often exacerbated by prolonged exposure to low temperatures and high wind speeds, which further compromise the integrity of transmission infrastructure. In addition to field observations, comprehensive testing of the affected insulators and components reveals mechanical and electrical vulnerabilities that play a significant role in the occurrence of trip faults. To combat these challenges, the paper proposes a series of mitigation and prevention strategies. These include enhancing design specifications to ensure resilience against increased ice and wind loads, deploying real-time monitoring systems capable of detecting early indicators of conductor galloping and ice accumulation, and employing advanced de-icing technologies to reduce the risk of ice-related failures. Moreover, the integration of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and artificial intelligence (AI)-based fault detection tools presents promising opportunities for improving remote monitoring capabilities and enabling proactive maintenance interventions. By leveraging these innovative technologies, the resilience of transmission lines in harsh climates can be significantly enhanced. The findings of this study not only provide a comprehensive framework for minimizing the impact of extreme weather on transmission infrastructure but also contribute valuable insights toward fostering a more reliable and resilient power grid capable of withstanding the challenges posed by an increasingly volatile climate.https://doi.org/10.1186/s42162-024-00463-8Transmission line faultsExtreme WeatherSnow and Ice hazardsPower Grid ReliabilityInsulator degradation
spellingShingle Guojun Zhang
Transmission line trip faults under extreme snow and ice conditions: a case study
Energy Informatics
Transmission line faults
Extreme Weather
Snow and Ice hazards
Power Grid Reliability
Insulator degradation
title Transmission line trip faults under extreme snow and ice conditions: a case study
title_full Transmission line trip faults under extreme snow and ice conditions: a case study
title_fullStr Transmission line trip faults under extreme snow and ice conditions: a case study
title_full_unstemmed Transmission line trip faults under extreme snow and ice conditions: a case study
title_short Transmission line trip faults under extreme snow and ice conditions: a case study
title_sort transmission line trip faults under extreme snow and ice conditions a case study
topic Transmission line faults
Extreme Weather
Snow and Ice hazards
Power Grid Reliability
Insulator degradation
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s42162-024-00463-8
work_keys_str_mv AT guojunzhang transmissionlinetripfaultsunderextremesnowandiceconditionsacasestudy