Abstract
An aerial metallic pipeline experiences induced voltage if drawn in close vicinity of a high voltage power transmission line as suggested by Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction. Such voltages, if not appropriately mitigated, may prove fatal. This paper initially focuses on the evaluation of the induced voltage under the normal operating condition of power transmission lines followed by methods of passive mitigation of the induced voltages. The research also formulates the strategies to enhance mitigation efficiency by optimizing certain features of passive loop techniques using a new optimization algorithm called Slime Mould Algorithm (SMA). A 400 kV single circuit horizontal configuration line with an aboveground pipeline serves as a comprehensive test case to study the efficacy of the proposed algorithm. Results show that the induced voltage levels can be reduced up to 60% using the optimal location of loop conductors and the number of loops, in addition to using shielding material with high permeability. Comparing the obtained results with those obtained using Carson's formula and with genetic algorithm indicates the superior performance of the proposed technique.