Issues and Challenges in Voltage Uprating for Sustainable Power Operation: A Case Study of a 132 kV Transmission Line System in Malaysia

Shamsul Fahmi Mohd Nor, Mohd Zainal Abidin Ab Kadir, Azrul Mohd Ariffin, Miszaina Osman, Muhammad Syahmi Abd Rahman and Noorlina Mohd Zainuddin
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Shamsul Fahmi Mohd Nor: Institute of Power Engineering (IPE), Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN), Kajang 43000, Selangor, Malaysia
Mohd Zainal Abidin Ab Kadir: Advanced Lightning, Power and Energy Research Centre (ALPER), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia
Azrul Mohd Ariffin: Institute of Power Engineering (IPE), Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN), Kajang 43000, Selangor, Malaysia
Miszaina Osman: Institute of Power Engineering (IPE), Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN), Kajang 43000, Selangor, Malaysia
Muhammad Syahmi Abd Rahman: Institute of Power Engineering (IPE), Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN), Kajang 43000, Selangor, Malaysia
Noorlina Mohd Zainuddin: Institute of Power Engineering (IPE), Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN), Kajang 43000, Selangor, Malaysia

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 19, 1-23

Abstract: Ageing grid infrastructure is a critical issue that is currently faced by electrical utilities worldwide, resulting in crucial decisions that must be made for the replacement, repair, or refurbishment of assets under constrained budgetary conditions, as well as other factors. As one of the fastest-developing countries globally, Malaysia is steadily growing in terms of its cumulative population, large industries, and advanced transportation sector, leading to an increasing electricity demand and, consequently, putting stress on electric utility providers to meet these tremendous demands. Significant concerns in the new development of transmission in Malaysia are the environmental issues, which involve exploration in gazetted areas and forest reserves. This paper describes the issues and challenges in developing a new transmission line system in Malaysia. In recent years, uprating existing transmission line systems has been one of the best asset management decisions for electric utility operators in order to meet such a demand for capacity. This paper assesses the technical issues and conventional methods of uprating the voltage of an existing transmission line system. The initial study found that the phase-to-Earth clearance does not fulfil the electrical clearance envelope. The study on the existing 132 kV transmission line system further analysed these issues and proposed an appropriate technique for uprating to a 275 kV transmission line system. Finally, the results indicate that the voltage uprating of the 132 kV transmission line system to 275 kV is able to satisfy the electrical clearance requirement envelope.

Keywords: transmission line system; power transfer capability; voltage uprating; upgrading; asset management decision; electrical clearance (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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