Arrangements of overhead power line phase conductors obtained by Differential Evolution

This paper presents a new general method for determining the optimal arrangements of overhead power line phase conductors by optimization. The main criteria used in this optimization procedure, are the root mean square values of the magnetic flux density and the electric field strength on the border of the overhead power line's right of way. The position of each power line phase conductor is determined using the stochastic search algorithm called Differential Evolution. In the given case, the optimization goal is to find such an arrangement of phase conductors so that the tower height is minimal, whereas the values of the magnetic and electric fields on the border of the overhead power line's right of way are under the limits prescribed in the national regulations. This method is applied in order to investigate how the optimal positions of the overhead power line phase conductors change, depending on the clearances between the phase conductors of a two-conductor bundle, in the case of a vertical - double tower configuration with one overhead earth-wire.

► We present a method for determining the optimal arrangements of overhead power line conductors.
► The stochastic algorithm Differential Evolution is used.
► The main criteria within optimization are magnetic flux density and electric field strength.
► The optimization goal is to find an arrangement of conductors where the tower height is minimal.