LineLoads – Prevents outages and reduces over-engineering
LineLoads is a state-of-the-art in-house tool developed for calculating climatic loads to optimize the design of overhead power lines. When power lines are exposed to severe icing, wet snow accumulation, or strong winds, disruptions to the power supply may occur. In extreme cases, this can lead to structural damage or even tower collapse, resulting in grid outages. To ensure reliability, all power lines must be designed to withstand local climatic conditions, including extreme loads caused by wind and icing. However, over-engineering leads to unnecessary costs and economic inefficiencies. Therefore, sustainable, cost-effective, and climate-resilient grid design critically depends on accurate information about local climatic conditions.
Globally recognized by grid operators and telecom industry
Kjeller Vindteknikk has completed nearly 250 projects over the past 15 years, collaborating with more than 30 clients across multiple countries. We are internationally recognized by Transmission System Operators (TSOs), Distribution Network Operators (DNOs), the telecom industry, and other sectors for our expertise in assessing local meteorological conditions.
- Since 2015 we have held a framework agreement with Statnett, the Norwegian TSO, on meteorological services.
- We have developed nationwide high-resolution ice load maps for Norway, Sweden and Türkiye.
A few highlights:
- Our services support both the construction of new power lines and the reconductoring or voltage upgrading of existing lines.
- Our reports provide essential meteorological input for the design of overhead power lines in accordance with international standards.
- Our numerical simulation model, LineLoads, is backed by years of scientific research and has been presented at numerous international conferences, including CIGRE, IWAIS, and WinterWind.
- The simulations can be applied globally, even in remote areas far from the nearest measurement site.
- We produce local and national ice load and extreme wind maps, including metrics such as 50-year return values.
- Our simulations offer detailed local insights and long-term climatology for wet snow accumulation, rime icing, freezing rain, and wind. We also assess the extent to which combined loads should be considered in the design of each individual line.
- The assessed power lines span all voltage levels, from 22 kV to 420 kV AC and 500 kV DC.
Please do not hesitate to contact us for more questions!
Bjørn Egil Nygaard
Discipline Expert