Transmission Expansion Planning via Unconventional High Surge Impedance Loading (HSIL) Lines

Transmission expansion planning (TEP) plays a vital role in ensuring the reliable and efficient operation of power systems, especially with the growing demand for electricity and the integration of renewable energy sources. This paper focuses on applying unconventional high surge impedance loading (HSIL) lines in transmission expansion planning and compares their outcomes with conventional line-based transmission expansion planning. Starting with a 17 bus- 500 kV power system connected by a conventional transmission line, the objective is to connect a new load located in a new bus, bus #18, to the existing 17-bus power system via two approaches: using conventional lines and incorporating unconventional HSIL lines. By comparing the number of lines required for the conventional and unconventional approaches, maintaining almost identical conductor volume per circuit, the effectiveness of unconventional HSIL lines in TEP is evaluated where using only two unconventional HSIL lines is sufficient to connect 1000 MW load demand at bus 18 while three lines are required when using the conventional design.