Climate change and extreme wind effects on transmission towers

Abstract

Climate change poses a major threat to electricity power infrastructure due to expected increase in magnitude and frequency of extreme storm events. This paper uses a methodology for assessment of the vulnerability of UK transmission tower infrastructure to such events, within a framework of performance based engineering.The challenge of estimating future storm magnitudes is addressed by applying a Change Factor Methodology to present day wind speeds using information provided by 2009 UK Climate Change Projections. A Weibull distribution is employed to obtain wind speeds for storm events at different recurrence intervals. Wind loading on the structure and cables is then determined using Eurocodes, and the structure analysed by pseudo-static finite element analysis, considering material and geometrical nonlinearity as well as linear and nonlinear buckling effects.The outcome of the research is that despite a significant projected increase in wind velocities due to climate change, the typical tower analysed in the study continues to perform satisfactorily at all hazard levels. If this performance can be demonstrated more generally across the UK transmission tower infrastructure network, then it is likely that the cause can be traced back to the high factor of safety applied in the original design of the towers.

Sustainable Electrification—Advances and Challenges in Electrical-Distribution Networks: A Review

“…The first block is the energy-transmission block, responsible for transporting electricity over long distances through high-voltage lines. The second block enables distribution, delivering electricity to end users through substations and distribution lines [28]. This layer is interconnected through various layers such as the communication layer, the consumer-interaction layer, the automation and control layer, and the data-management layer to prevent energy losses, maintain a self-healing network, and analyze data to detect cybersecurity threats against electrical systems that could have physical impacts on the electrical layer [29].…”

Impact of wind loads on the resistance capacity of the transmission tower subjected to ground surface deformations

“…Research conducted by Manis and Bloodworth [26] indicated that for the case of UK transmission towers it is the 45 degree wind orientation that gives lower load capacity of the tower due to one leg becomes more heavily loaded in compression rather than two. Previous design experience indicated that, for those towers without influence by mining subsidence, the 45 degree wind orientation normally gives failure of tower's leg while the 90 degree wind orientation gives failure of X-cross bracing members.…”

Editorial

“…They shed light on technical problems usually dealt with in current engineering practice.The first paper in this issue, authored by Manis and Bloodworth (2017), assesses the safety of UK transmission tower infrastructure under extreme wind loading. They evaluate the storm magnitudes by applying a change factor methodology to present day wind speeds and using the information provided by the 2009 UK climate change projections.…”