The New York Power Authority (NYPA) plans to deploy lidar-based grid enhancing technology to unlock transmission capacity, enabling more renewable energy to reach the grid.

The non-contact lidar sensors will be deployed to monitor NYPA’s 230kV transmission lines in Franklin and Clinton counties in upstate New York. In addition to unlocking additional capacity, the sensor data should provide insight into conductor health and the real-time detection of anomalies and potential risks.

The grid enhancing technology was developed by LineVision, a Boston-based firm that works with utilities to provide real-time, actionable data that optimise the performance of transmission assets. Recent studies have shown grid enhancing technologies can help double renewable energy integration, while dynamic line ratings have shown the ability to increase capacity on power lines by as much as 40%.

“The NYPA is leading the way as New York state transitions to the reliable, flexible, clean energy grid of the future,” said NYPA CEO Justin Driscoll. “NYPA is pleased to work with LineVision to explore new ways to unlock additional transmission capacity and increase the resilience of our existing transmission assets as part of the state’s efforts to protect against the risks to our systems from the effects of climate change.”

NYPA, which applied jointly with LineVision for a $376,000 grant from the New York State Energy Research & Development Authority’s (NYSERDA) smart grid programme towards the project, has been exploring transmission technologies such as dynamic line ratings to enhance the transmission capacity of existing lines and modernise future lines. Being able to monitor actual conditions throughout transmission line corridors instead of relying on static historical data helps ensure safe and reliable operation.

“This collaborative effort between NYPA and LineVision to develop innovative non-contact technology provides real-time data regarding current conditions with power lines, helping to improve reliability of our transmission assets,” said Doreen Harris, CEO of NYSERDA. “Being able to anticipate what preventative maintenance is needed to optimise and ensure the safety of the state’s power lines will help us scale up our grid modernisation efforts and integrate more renewable energy.”

LineVision’s sensors are mounted to the transmission towers and combine an electromagnetic field (EMF) sensor with a scanning optical sensor using lidar. The real-time data provided by the technologies deliver insights including monitored conductor positions, temperatures and alerts on anomalous behaviour ensuring safe clearances are maintained. The analytics of the platform evaluate the current health condition of conductors, helping determine when line maintenance is required, and can safely increase existing transmission capacity by up to 40% through the application of dynamic line ratings.

In addition, the system provides real-time situational awareness, measuring blowout and phase-to-phase distance, alerting on dangerous conditions that can cause wildfires, or anomalous and damaging events such as high amplitude vibrations and icing. Exposure along the NYPA’s Moses-Willis-Plattsburgh line presents areas of concern with vibrations and icing in particular, due to its location in New York’s North Country, which can have extreme winter temperatures.

Transformation of the state’s electrical grid is critically needed in New York to help relieve transmission congestion and integrate more renewables into the grid. One of NYPA’s priorities under its Vision 2030 strategy calls for becoming the state’s leading transmission developer, owner and operator through investments in support of the state’s Climate Act, which challenges New York to move to 70% renewable generation by 2030 and achieve 100% zero-emission electricity by 2040.

“NYPA is continuing to demonstrate its commitment to reliably delivering low-cost energy by utilising innovative technologies, such as LineVision, to optimise the existing grid,” said Hudson Gilmer, CEO of LineVision. “Grid enhancing technologies like dynamic line ratings can help New York state meet its ambitious climate goals sooner by unlocking previously unavailable grid capacity allowing for accelerated integration of renewable energy. We are thrilled to be a part.”

NYPA is the largest state public power organisation in the USA, operating 16 generating facilities and more than 2200 circuit-kilometres of transmission lines. More than 80% of the electricity NYPA produces is clean renewable hydropower. NYPA uses no tax money or state credit. It finances its operations through the sale of bonds and revenues earned in large part through sales of electricity.

LineVision provides electric utilities with real-time monitoring and analytics. Its patented non-contact sensors collect critical information to unlock additional capacity on existing lines, provide insight into conductor health, and detect anomalies and risks. The platform can be rapidly deployed at scale without the need for scheduled outages, live line work or specialised installation equipment.