Design of a prototype dynamic line rating system for real-time monitoring of overhead transmission lines

Demand and consumption for electrical energy are continuously increasing. To meet this demand, new energy sources are being harnessed, and the capacities of existing production facilities are being enhanced. Despite supply chain challenges, construction delays, and high raw material prices, between 500 and 550 GW of new renewable energy capacity was achieved globally in 2024. It is projected that renewable energy will account for nearly 95% of the expansion in global power capacity by 2026. The increase in the number of renewable power plants daily forces the current carrying capacity of the transmission lines to be sized and installed. Dynamic Line Rating (DLR) systems allow real-time monitoring and rating of a transmission line's conductor deflection, surface temperature, ambient temperature, and weather data. These systems enable the capacity of the existing transmission lines to be at the maximum level, integrate solar and wind energy into these lines without the need for new infrastructure installations, and minimize the fault detection and maintenance-repair processes. In this study, a prototype DLR system, encompassing both hardware and software, has been designed. The prototype has been tested in a laboratory environment on a Sparrow 2AWG ACSR conductor and remotely monitored in real-time. This design calculates the ampacity according to the IEEE 738-2012 Std. methodology by measuring the weather conditions and conductor temperature values with sensors.