Environmental characterization of the Portuguese transmission grid from line inspection data

by F. Azevedo¹, J. Gomes-Mota², L. Campos Pinto³, J. Casaca³ (Comité de Estudos C3)
¹ CENTRIA, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia Universidade Nova de Lisboa, ² Albatroz Engenharia SA, ³ REN - Redes Energéticas Nacionais

presented at XII ERIAC, 12^th Meeting of the Iberian-American Region of CIGRÉ (XII Encontro Região Ibero-Americana do CIGRÉ), May 20^th - 24^th, 2007, Foz do Iguaçu, Brasil.

Abstract

REN, the Portuguese transmission system operator uses the ITOMS methodology to compare the maintenance efficiency the national transmission grid (RNT, Rede Nacional de Transporte). This methodology demands the environment characterization of the grounds crossed by the over-head power lines. In the past, REN used indirect methods to perform this task but during the 2009 and 2009 campaign, REN decided to used a thorough characterization of the RNT, span by span, thanks to the new power-line inspection technologies including track clearance (right-of-way) and 3D modeling of the scenario around the lines.

The indices of urban occupation and vegetation growth were computed automatically grom three-dimension data gathered by LiDAR, followed by human supervision supported on video inspection and geographic information systems. Tree growth models were validated by comparing successive inspections in consecutive years (2008-2009). During 2010, the authors also started new studies to include the bird effects on the RNT, especcially the storks. This, combined with other vegetation management and grid energy flows leads ot risk model to optimise the RNT exploitation.

Keywords

REN (Redes Energéticas Nacionais) - ITOMS - Vegetation Growth - Risk Index - LiDAR - Storks