PMU Data-based Temperature Monitoring of a Power Cable

Optimized generation and delivery of electricity has become a key to efficient grid operation. Considering the thermal limits of the cables used in electricity grid, maximal yet safe loading of available cable infrastructure would become critical to optimal operation of a network. Flexible loading limits for important cable sections transporting bulk generated power from intermittent renewable sources or delivering time-varying power to load centers would maximize the utilization of available resources in terms of cable infrastructure and generation capacity. This paper presents an application to estimate and track the temperature of 3-phase cable conductors utilizing real-time high-accuracy impedance estimates. The real-time temperature estimates are then used for setting flexible loading limits. The backbone of the temperature estimation process are the accurate impedance parameters which are estimated using data from phasor measurement units (PMUs) present at both ends of the cable section. The novelty of this application is that no additional temperature sensors are required to monitor the cable temperature. Flexible loading based on the thermal state of the cable and ambient conditions can be realized. Cable temperature monitoring results obtained using field PMU data from a medium voltage (MV) distribution grid section are presented.