Study on Applicability of Energy-Saving Conductors in Alpine Regions

TL;DR

This study evaluates energy-saving conductors for use in cold, high-altitude regions to improve power transmission efficiency and reliability.

Contribution

The paper introduces a detailed thermal-mechanical analysis of advanced conductors under cold-region conditions, revealing superior performance of the JLHA3 conductor.

Findings

The JLHA3 conductor shows better heat dissipation and lower resistive losses compared to conventional conductors in cold environments.

JLHA3 maintains a radial temperature of −23.35 °C under a 700 A load, with significant temperature reduction at higher wind speeds.

The conductor exhibits high thermal stability and uniform stress distribution, making it suitable for high-altitude power transmission.

Abstract

The development of energy-efficient conductors capable of operating reliably in harsh, cold climates is crucial for sustainable power infrastructure. High-mountain and cold regions are key research scenarios for energy-saving conductors, enabling the natural enhancement of conductor heat dissipation in low-temperature environments and improving the current carrying capacity and energy efficiency. These regions are rich in renewable energy and urgently need efficient transmission channels. However, the extremely complex working conditions create strict requirements for the thermal–mechanical coupling performance of conductors, and existing research has paid insufficient attention to this. This study evaluates the thermal and mechanical performance of three advanced energy-saving conductors (JLHA3-275, JL1/G1A-240/30, JL/LHA1-135/140) in comparison with a conventional conductor (JL/G1A-240/30) under cold-region operating conditions. A finite element analysis model, validated against theoretical calculations under combined meteorological factors, was employed to simulate radial temperature fields and stress distribution. The results demonstrate that the JLHA3 conductor exhibits superior heat dissipation and minimal resistive losses, maintaining a radial temperature of −23.35 °C under a 700 A load, approximately 1.6 °C lower than the conventional type. Its temperature further decreases significantly with increased wind speeds. Thermally, JLHA3 shows high stability across a broad temperature range (−28.85 °C to 29.03 °C). Mechanically, it displays uniform stress distribution and a notable decrease in stress from 79.53 MPa to 39.46 MPa with rising temperatures, indicating excellent flexibility and thermal adaptability. These findings confirm that the JLHA3 conductor offers an optimal combination of thermal performance, structural reliability, and energy efficiency for high-altitude, cold-region power transmission applications.

Figures