Enabling Undergrounding of Long-Distance Transmission Lines with Low Frequency AC Technology

TL;DR

This paper introduces a low frequency AC transmission model to improve underground long-distance power lines, demonstrating benefits in power flow control and loss reduction through case studies.

Contribution

It develops a tractable frequency-dependent model for underground cables and integrates it into an open source optimal power flow tool, enabling better analysis of LFAC systems.

Findings

LFAC reduces cable capacitance effects and losses.

LFAC improves power flow control in underground lines.

Case studies show LFAC's advantages over HVDC.

Abstract

With increasing prevalence of severe natural hazards and the ignition of wildfires by power lines, many power system planners are considering converting overhead lines to underground cables to mitigate risks related to these events. Systems with a large proportion of underground cables can bring challenges due to the capacitance and losses of the cables, factors which may limit the potential for hardening in critical areas. Low frequency AC (LFAC) transmission solves these problems, as lowering the frequency decreases both the effects of capacitance and the losses. This paper presents a tractable frequency-dependent model for underground cables and incorporates it into the open source optimal power flow tool VariableFrequencyOPF.jl. The model and implementation are used to demonstrate the benefits of LFAC in a case study involving two multi-terminal cable upgrades with LFAC, including a comparison with HVDC. The results demonstrate the value of LFAC systems for both power flow control and reduction of losses.