1) The electricity grid is a major bottleneck slowing the transition to lower carbon energy, as it is difficult and expensive to build new transmission lines. 2) Dynamic line rating uses sensors and weather data to accurately measure current conductor conditions in real-time, allowing more efficient use of existing lines by calculating the maximum current capacity. 3) Initial tests showed an average capacity gain of 60% in favorable locations, and predictive models estimate an average 25% gain day-ahead. Dynamic line rating can significantly increase grid efficiency without new construction.

1. Ampacimon:
a smart way to increase the efficiency
of the high voltage electricity grid
2011

2. The challenge
The
Electricity transport & distribution network
is the major bottleneck, slowing down the
change towards a
Electricity market with a significantly reduced
CO2 footprint
2011 2

3. The possible solutions
Within the network the most difficult bottleneck to remove
are the lines
• Invest in new transport and distribution lines
– Takes at least 10 years
– Is extremely expensive: about 1 M€ per Km
– Is not well accepted (NIMBY) by the population
• Improve the efficiency of the existing network
– Using advances in IT and communication infrastructure to
enable new operating modes
– Without decreasing security of supply
2011 3

4. The current situation
• The maximum current a conductor can carry is a function of
the maximum allowable sag
• On overhead lines (the vast majority of the network) the
conductors are more or less cooled by the ambient weather
conditions strongly influencing the sag
• This effect is currently not taken into account because it is
not measured. Worst case assumptions are taken when
dimensioning the line:
Static line rating
2011 4

5. The proposed future
• The real-time situation of the conductor is accurately
measured
• The maximum current that can be transported is calculated
based on this measurement
• Based on the measurement history and weather forecasts
the future transport capacity can be predicted
Dynamic line rating
2011 5

6. The gains
• Actual measurements show an average gain of 60% in advantageous
locations (in this case Brugge-Oostend)
• When taking into account forecasting uncertainty a 25% average gain
can be predicted day-ahead
Winter 2009 : 15 LFRS Theix current/ampacity occurences when module switched on Summer 2010 : 15 LFRS Theix current/ampacity occurences when module switched on
50 50
Actual current Actual current
45 Max allowable current 45 Max allowable current
Corresponding Perp. WS Corresponding Perp. WS
40 40
Occurences [%] & Wind speed [m/s]
Occurences [%] & Wind speed [m/s]
35 35
30 30
25 25
20 20
15 15
10 10
5 5
0 0
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000
Current / Ampacity smoothed (SECURE states ignored) Current / Ampacity smoothed (SECURE states ignored)
2011 6

7. The remaining challenge: CHANGE
• Change to the operational and planning processes
– Correct assumptions for long-term network planning
– Correct assumption for maintenance (mid-term) planning
– Increased uncertainty in exploitation
• Part of the general change required to reduce the CO2 footprint
– Uncertainty of consumption patterns (pro-sumers, e-vehicles …)
– Uncertainty of production patterns (intermittent energy sources)
– And now uncertainty of transport & distribution capacity (Dynamic Line
Rating)
Global approach required!
2011 7

8. Real-life examples: ELIA
• Initial validation of the technology
• Used to connect more wind parks in the Ardennes in
combination with Active Network Management
2011 8

9. Real-life examples: Twenties
– Largest EU funded project in electricity sector ever
– Focused on the technologies that will allow the large scale
integration of renewable energy sources
– Real-life demonstrations
– www.twenties-project.eu
2011 9

10. Ampacimon System Components
2011 10

11. Ampacimon Architecture
2011 11

12. Conclusions
• Very significant gains (60%) can be achieved with
smart technologies
• The remaining challenge is not technology but
process and change management
The electricity market will need to evolve
towards « just in time » management as the
products market did years ago
2011 12