A method of measuring the power line wire sag using optical sensors that are insensitive to high electromagnetic fields was proposed. The advantage of this technique is that it is a non-invasive measurement of power line wire elongation using a unique optomechanical system. The proposed method replaces the sag of the power line wire with an extension of the control sample and then an expansion of the attached chirped fiber Bragg grating. This paper presents the results of the first measurements made on real aluminum-conducting steel-reinforced wire, frequently used for power line construction. It has been shown that the proper selection of the CFBG (chirped fiber Bragg grating) transducer and the appropriate choice of optical parameters of such a sensor will allow for high sensitivity of the line wire elongation and sag while reducing the sensitivity to the temperature. It has been shown that with a simple optomechanical system, a non-invasive measurement of the power line wire sag that is insensitive to temperature changes and the influence of high electromagnetic fields can be achieved.

Existing transmission power grids suffer from high maintenance costs and scalability issues along with a lack of effective and secure system monitoring. To address these problems, we propose to use Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs)as a technology to achieve energy efficient, reliable, and low-cost remote monitoring of transmission grids. With WSNs, smart grid enables both utilities and customers to monitor, predict and manage energy usage effectively and react to possible power grid disturbances in a timely manner. However, the increased application of WSNs also introduces new security challenges, especially related to privacy, connectivity, and security management, repeatedly causing unpredicted expenditures. Monitoring the status of the power system, a large amount of sensors generates massive amount of sensitive data. In order to build an effective Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) for a smart grid, we focus on designing a methodology of efficient and secure delivery of the data measured on transmission lines. We perform a set of simulations, in which we examine different routing algorithms, security mechanisms and WSN deployments in order to select the parameters that will not affect the delivery time but fulfill their role and ensure security at the same time. Furthermore, we analyze the optimal placement of direct wireless links, aiming at minimizing time delays, balancing network performance and decreasing deployment costs.

The techniques of Dynamic Line Rating (DLR) for Overhead Transmission Line (OTL)’s are currently dynamically developed. DLR systems typically rely on weather, temperature, inclination, and current measurements to calculate tension and sag, where sensors need to be installed directly on wires. Such systems are very reliable and ensure high accuracy in determining maximum allowable current. However, their installation may require switching off the transmission line from the operation. In order to receive precise values regarding the actual operating conditions of the whole transmission line, DLR sensors measuring wire temperature or tension should be installed at many points of OTL. The minimum number of installation points should cover at least each tension section and critical spans, thereby increasing installation costs. The alternative method that allows for the monitoring of OTL is the use of the vision system based on cameras. Installed on the OTLs’ poles, cameras can take photos which, appropriately processed, can provide data about the sag and temperature of wires, without the necessity of switching OTL from the operation for installation or further maintenance. Such a vision system facilitates also data transmission, because it does not require measurement data to be transmitted from the sensor station installed on the wire to the base station located on the pole (for instance, via radio). This article aims to present the concept of a vision system that monitors sag and temperature of Overhead Transmission Lines (OTLs)’ using Long Range (LoRa) wireless communication and data transmission. The developed system consists of a camera and a microcomputer equipped with LoRa communication module. The whole system monitors OTLs’ spans by taking photos, processing images for wire sag-temperature estimation, and sending results to the operator’s Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA). The system communication architecture is also proposed and investigated for data transmission time when monitoring the whole OTL.

Data concerning actual temperatures of line conductors constitutes essential information for the power system operator. The temperature of the power lines can be used to improve the accuracy of the power system model, thereby increasing the accuracy of the state estimation. This article presents a two-step algorithm for the power system state and line temperature estimation. In its second stage, the proposed method searches for a line temperatures vector, which corrects the uncertain power system base model and allows for further minimization of an objective function. As a result, a more accurate estimation is obtained along with a more precise model of the estimated system. The derived model can then be used for more accurate optimization. The presented method enhances standard procedures of power system state estimation, and its advantage is that it does not require direct measurements performed by phasor measurement units or measurements of line conductor temperatures and weather conditions realized by dynamic line rating systems. The results of simulations made on various test models have been examined, confirming the convergence of the procedure to the point at which the average temperature of the line wires together with the voltage values and phase angles are achieved. The algorithm's performance and improvement method have also been presented. An advantage of the investigated approach is the possibility to calculate the temperature of line wires with the use of primary measurements in the power system. The presented and examined method, however, is sensitive to the measuring device errors. Additionally, an analysis of the method's errors and ways of reducing them has been performed.

The article presents a new method for voltage control in medium voltage distribution networks with dispersed generation. A linear mathematical model of a distribution network has been proposed. The model makes possible to optimally select feeding voltage of a medium -voltage network as well as reactive power in dispersed power sources according to the actual load and active power generation. Index Terms--dispersed storage and generation, voltage control, optimal control.Piotr Kacejko has graduated (MSc) from the Lublin University of Technology, Poland, Faculty of Electrical Engineering. For 25 years he has been a member of the university teaching staff. He has received PhD and DSc degrees from the Lublin