The technical and economic efficiency of using conductors with composite core in the transmission grid

There have been various suggestions for improving existing power line networks with the purpose of increasing their throughput capacity as well as the reliability of power supply. This is an important problem that must be considered, especially if the transmission grid requires the prospective expansion of new electrical connections. Therefore, the use of High Temperature Low Sag conductors replacing the traditional type conductors can be one of the possible solutions for the posed problem. The paper deals with a comparative analysis of the technical (mechanical and heating limitations) and economic efficiency of using conductors of different types, which is based on two actual overhead line models; both examples are existing lines of the Latvian power network. The results of the evaluation, which are based on the particular calculation conditions, are presented in this paper.