Computation of Total Electric Field Considering Natural Wind Under High-Altitude UHVDC Transmission Lines

With the rapid development of ultra high-voltage DC (UHVDC) transmission technology, the total electric field problem in high-altitude dc transmission lines is more important. Therefore, this article proposes a calculation model of the ion flow field at high altitude based on the natural wind model and the gas motion theory. First, the initial charge density is assumed, and then, Poisson’s equation is solved by the finite-element method (FEM). The measured wind speed and altitude are introduced into the natural wind model and the ion mobility model, and the natural wind speed and the ion mobility of each node are obtained. Subsequently, the current continuity equation is calculated by this information and the upstream FEM. When the calculation results do not meet the steady-state convergence conditions, the charge density on the conductor surface is iteratively corrected. The calculation model is verified by the measurement results of the ±800-kV UHVDC transmission line at the National Engineering Laboratory for Ultrahigh Voltage Technology (Kunming) of the China Southern Power Grid. The research shows that with the increase of altitude, the ion mobility gradually becomes larger, and the total electric field at ground level also increases. Due to the influence of wind, the peak value of the total electric field at ground level is obviously shifted, and the maximum peak values are on the downwind side. This model in this article can accurately calculate the total electric field of UHVDC transmission lines at high altitude considering the natural wind and provide a reference for the design of transmission lines.