Evaluation of thermal performance for power system development

The remarkable renewable generation capacity installed in the South of Italy can determine high loading conditions of the 400 kV – 50 Hz backbones located in the area. The resultant conductors’ temperature increase accelerates components deterioration with negative effects in terms of reliability and economy of the system performance. In this paper the thermal analysis of a selected set of EHV transmission lines spanning the critical section Centre South -South is carried out both in the current and in the future energy scenario at 2040 year horizon in presence and in absence of planned developments. The conductors’ temperature is calculated via the heat balance equation and corresponding resistance and losses increases are obtained. The results highlight the benefits related to the presence of the planned reinforcements.