Advanced electrical design software for overhead lines - an integrated approach

Elaborate plans are presently being considered for long distance HVAC and HVDC lines along the length of the African continent. Optimising such lines covering both the electrical and mechanical design from an economical and technical point of view is not only important but also a challenge. Evaluating the design with software modelling is still the most cost effective option. Software packages, meeting the necessary requirements to evaluate the mechanical design, even in a 3-D environment, already exists. However, evaluating the overall electrical design can at present only be done with several standalone packages in 2-D. This paper addresses the approach of integrating several modules, developed separately and around PLSCADD that can be employed in optimising the electrical design of overhead power lines, particularly in a 3-D environment. Challenges relating to the integration of the modules to yield an optimised electrical and mechanical design in the same 3-D environment are discussed. Examples are presented to allow visualisation of some of the concepts in 3-D