Uprating studies for a 230 kv-50 Hz overhead line

Active power flows of a meshed grid can be controlled by varying the longitudinal reactance of some network branches through reactive components of fixed impedance: in particular, series capacitors can be used to increase power transfer capacity of underused grid portions, by realizing an optimal operation of the infrastructure. This paper presents a specific application of series compensation together with reconductoring: the power transfer capacity of the 250 km long, 230 kV-50 Hz transmission line under study is actually restricted by its low thermal rating. Simply re-equipping the line with high-temperature conductors is not sufficient due to its high longitudinal impedance, whereby the simultaneous installation of 60% series compensation allows to fully exploit the new conductors more than doubling the original transfer capacity.