The Dynamic Line Rating (DLR) Project will implement dynamic ratings on a double circuit transmission line to increase power transfer capacity. Transmission line ratings define the safe thermal limits of power transfer capacity to prevent overheating, line sagging, and subsequent damage. Today, these ratings are predetermined based on static parameters for environmental conditions. This project will use measured data, including wind, solar irradiance and temperature, to calculate ratings in real-time based on weather conditions. Weather stations along the lines will send data to modelling software that updates ratings and automatically adjusts control centre settings to increase overall capacity when permitted by weather conditions. The project’s use of weather stations represents a first-of-a-kind commercial deployment of DLR technology with meteorological data in Alberta, a new and innovative approach to transmission line ratings for the province’s transmission system.
