Prediction and Prevention of Wildfires
Figure 5-4 : DLR - Dynamic line ratings conceptual representation . Source : DoE .
DLR refers to the active varying of presumed thermal capacity for overhead power lines in response to environmental and weather conditions . This is done continually in real time , based on changes in ambient temperature , solar irradiation , wind speed and wind direction . All Power Lines data listed below can be acquired through DLR to predict / identify presence of wildfire .
POWER LINES
Line Sag ( Clearance from the Ground / Vegatation ) – Line Sag indicates a fire event as sag increases exponentially under wildfire event .
Clearance – Ground Clearance measurement is handy to understand the proximity of transmission lines and ground / vegetation .
Vibration - Vibration data can be used to identify a wide variety of phenomenon , from transient effects to nondestructive damage identification . For high voltage transmission applications , vibration transducers could be used to identify the following events :
• Tampering of towers
• Heavy construction equipment near towers ( possible sign of encroachment )
• Avian nesting activity
• Lightning strikes
• Tilt indicating tower damage
• Detect damage in polymer or ceramic insulators ( requires separate excitation )
• Detect some forms of foundation damage ( requires separate excitation ).
132 April 2023