Taking environmental constraints into account in the planning of the extra high voltage transmission network; EDFʹs approach

As EDF is experiencing increasing difficulties to develop its transmission network, the time may have come to reconsider the projects selection method. In this paper, we point out that the currently used method essentially relies on a classical discounted balance criterion. We then present a new method taking into account the impact of a project on the environment, by considering an environmental risk which may jeopardize the projectʹs success. This method helps to evaluate the probability that each possible route of each project will be carried through. A simple probability computation then allows us to derive a global comparison of the eligible projects on the basis of an expected discounted balance criterion. Experiments now in progress will help to decide upon this methodʹs efficiency in the context of an operational use.