Probabilistic assessment of impacts of real-time line ratings on distribution networks

Underground cabling systems which includes cables and ducts play a vital role in the planning and assessment of electro-thermal coordination that will incorporate smart energy transmission and utilize the prevailing weather conditions in implementing future smart distribution systems. This paper investigates the effects of increased adequacy through real-time line thermal ratings on network losses and risk of ageing. The analysis is performed on a range of underground cable duct installation methods in a distribution network. The paper proposes a new technique of assessing the reliability of distribution systems when real-time line rating is implemented on power cables considering the ducting methods and accounting for the reliability risks of cable ageing. Probabilistic assessments on nine different ducting installations for a buried 22kV XLPE cable showed that an oil pressure type cable ducting has the lowest risk of asset ageing when real-time line rating is implemented on the network.