Lightning performance assessment of MEA subtransmission and distribution lines

Abstract

Design of grounding system to protect against lightning and fault is important for both safety and reliability especially for Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) as mostly Metropolitan Electricity Authority operates on overhead networks. This thesis assesses lightning performance for 69 kV 115 kV overhead subtransmission lines, 24 kV distribution line using case study from Metropolitan Electricity Authority. Because of the limitation of the right of way, distribution feeders are regularly installed together with subtransmission lines in a single concrete pole. Overhead Ground Wire (OHGW) installed at top of the pole and grounding system in concrete pole protects fault current or direct lightning surge to ground. Metropolitan Electricity Authority has developed lightning protection based on an IEEE standard which uses international data for insulation coordination. As a result, reliability of the system is lower than the designed value. This thesis suggests a methodology to improve the performance in order to increase the reliability of subtransmission and distribution lines feeding distribution substations. This thesis recommends installation of addition external ground wire on the outer surface of the concrete pole to reduce top pole voltage and back flashover rate or installation of bundle overhead ground wires to protect shielding failure. As all the case studies presented in the thesis, which constitute this thesis, are applied to existing systems of Metropolitan Electricity Authority, it is expected that the proposed methodologies can be served as useful practical guidelines for lightning performance assessment subtransmission lines and distribution lines of Metropolitan Electricity Authority.