Abstract
A novel optimization methodology is proposed for the design of transmission line grounding systems, taking into account technical and economical considerations. The grounding systems design of transmission lines is stated as a mixed-integer linear programming problem, in terms of the construction characteristics, and the particular requirements of the tower grounding schemes at the supports of each different line sections in order to minimize the investment costs subject to the maximum allowed line outage rate due to the lightning activity, excavation volume limits for lowering environmental impact, allowed maximum step voltage, and the limitation of the ground potential rise value.
The methodology is tested on a real case consisting of a 230-kV transmission line, 85.4-km long, with 180 towers. Results are presented and compared to the design obtained through conventional tower design approaches with important reductions in the investment costs, encouraging the use and further development of the methodology.