Transmission Network Estimation Using Linear Programming

TLDR

Long‑range planning of electric power systems involves exploring various designs for the bulk power transmission network. This study presents the use of linear programming for network analysis to locate capacity shortages and determine where to add new circuits to relieve them. The method estimates network flows via linear programming and selects new circuits, producing a feasible transmission network with near‑minimum circuit miles from an existing network plus load and generation schedules, illustrated in a two‑step example of flow estimation and circuit selection. The method has become a fundamental part of computer programs for transmission network synthesis.

Abstract

One aspect of long-range planning of electric power systems involves the exploration of various designs for the bulk power transmission network. The use of linear programming for network analysis to determine where capacity shortages exist and, most importantly, where to add new circuits to relieve the shortages is presented. The new method of network estimation produces a feasible transmission network with near-minimum circuit miles using as input any existing network plus a load and generation schedule. An example is used to present the two steps of the method: 1) linear flow estimation and 2) new circuit selection. The method has become a fundamental part of computer programs for transmission network synthesis.