Studies conducted by the power transmission industry indicate that the top three causes of overhead power transmission component failure are wind, ice, and combined wind and ice loadings. This thesis outlines the development of an ice accretion and wind load forecasting system (IAWFS). The project is broken into four main components: optimization of the Weather Research and Forecasting numerical weather prediction model; implementation of an accurate precipitation type determination algorithm; implementation of an ice accretion algorithm; and development of a transmission conductor wind loading model. Simulated equivalent radial ice is compared to both observed and previously modeled accretion amounts. Wind loading forces are examined by modeling events over areas where known transmission failures have occurred due to adverse weather. Concerns that should be addressed before a fully functioning IAWFS model is deployed and the impact this research has on the power transmission industry are discussed.
展开▼
