Using monitoring technology from Massachusetts-based LineVision, National Grid is expanding the capacity of its existing overhead power lines in the UK.

LineVision provides non-contact overhead power line monitoring systems. National Grid has installed the dynamic line rating (DLR) sensors on circuits between one of the major power system boundaries in England.

The technology covers five circuits between Penwortham (Preston) and Daines (Manchester) and four circuits from Norton (Middlesborough) to Thornton (York), increasing the capacity of over 275km of overhead line conductor.

The newly-installed technology has the potential to save consumers around £20m per year by helping tackle constraints on one of the leading boundaries for constraint costs on Britain’s transmission network.

This installation has the potential to unlock enough additional capacity to power 75,000 homes a year, and is part of National Grid’s investment to increase the grid’s capacity and connect the renewable power needed for Britain to reach its net zero target by 2050.

The installation follows the successful implementation of LineVision’s DLR equipment in 2022 on a 275kV circuit between Penwortham and Kirkby in Cumbria and the implementation of LineVision technology on National Grid’s networks in New York and Massachusetts.

LineVision is part of the National Grid Partners (www.ngpartners.com) investment portfolio. Attaching LineVision sensors to monitor electricity transmission lines continually provides continuous data to calculate a DLR. This rating can then be used increase the amount of power that can safely be transmitted through that transmission line. The DLR is determined by a power line’s physical and electrical properties; this includes size, resistance and maximum safe operating temperature, as well as local weather conditions.

Electricity transmission lines have historically been operated using a static line rating calculated using conservative and static values for assumed weather conditions. LineVision’s dynamic line ratings determine capacity limits by combining real-time conductor properties and forecasted weather conditions, allowing for more informed grid operations and safely increasing operational limits.

“We’re proud to support National Grid’s leadership in deploying grid-enhancing technologies that boost capacity, reduce congestion and rapidly deliver real benefits to customers,” said Hudson Gilmer, CEO of LineVision (www.linevisioninc.com). “This technology unlocks additional capacity on existing lines, helping National Grid meet the challenge of surging load growth, strengthen grid reliability and honour their commitment to affordability.”

LineVision is one of a number of grid-enhancing technologies National Grid is deploying to make the existing network more efficient. Other technologies include power flow controllers, which intelligently and instantly route power through the circuits that have available capacity, and using drones and AI to monitor overhead lines daily.

These works form part of wider upgrades to increase the capacity of the network and enable the connection of more renewable energy to homes and businesses, which also includes building new infrastructure.

“Integrating grid-enhancing technologies such as LineVision’s is a crucial part of National Grid’s work to increase the capacity of our network to meet increased demand,” said Corin Ireland, optimisation engineer at National Grid (www.nationalgrid.com). “Innovative projects such as this will boost the capacity of our existing infrastructure and help increase the network’s capacity for renewable power, delivering lower costs for consumers while continuing to maintain world-class reliability.”