Research Status & Deliverables
Project Tasks
Below is a graphic of all tasks currently included as part of this project. It is important to note that it is not possible to prioritize every task each year. Some tasks are long term efforts that result in a deliverable after several years, while some are short term and have deliverables during the year they are focused on. A brief task description for each is included in the carousel. The ratings team welcomes member input on tasks that should be added, removed, or be prioritized in the coming years.
Research Accelerators & Supplemental Projects
Supplemental Projects
Given that ratings practices and needs are highly utility specific, often projects in this area are bespoke and crafted to solve a specific challenged. Utilities are encouraged to reach out regarding their specific challenges if they are not addressed by the projects listed below.
Risk Management for Increased Transmission Capacity
Transmission lines are constantly being pushed to and beyond their limits. Much of the grid is nearing the planned retirement ages and utilities seek to extend the useful life of their lines while ensuring reliable transfer of power. When lines are pushed to their limits line clearances can be encroached on. It is important for utilities to maintain a safe distance between lines and objects such as buildings, trees, and underbuilt lines. This is particularly the case for older lines where LiDAR information indicates there is little to no clearance buffer. EPRI has developed a one-on-one project to help utilities understand the balance between capacity and risk for their lines. Methods to optimize ratings while maintain safety and reliability criteria have been developed by EPRI and can be applied to congested spans or larger parts of the grid. This is of particular importance in North America where the adoption of AAR will significantly increase risks to transmission assets and can result in violation of line clearances without operators being aware. The main outcomes of this project are improved ratings methods and assumptions, utilities will also have a strong technical basis that considers system risk for decision moving forward.
2025 Planned Deliverables
| Product ID | Name |
Type |
|---|---|---|
| TBD | EPRI Increased Power Flow Guidebook—2025: Increasing Power Flow in Lines, Cables, and Substations |
Guidebook |
| TBD | Transmission Ratings Workstation: 2025 Beta |
Pre Software |
| TBD | Transmission Ratings Workstation: 2025 Final |
Final Release |
| TBD | Technical Review of Methods Used to Determine Dynamic Line Ratings (DLR) |
Final Report |
| TBD | Summary of Recent Increased Transmission Line Utilization Projects: 69 kV and Above |
Technical Update |
| TBD | Radial Temperature Effects on Conductors and Ratings: State of the Science |
Technical Update |
| TBD | Uprating Project Stakeholder Coordination: Cybersecurity for Rating Engineers |
Technical Update |
2024 Deliverables
| Product ID | Name |
Type |
|---|---|---|
| 3002030267 | EPRI Increased Power Flow Guidebook—2024: Increasing Power Flow in Lines, Cables, and Substations |
Guidebook |
| 3002030266 | Cost Effective Measures to Resolve Under-clearance Spans |
Technical Update |
| 3002029603 | Conductor Emissivity and Absorptivity Database: Test Results 2006–2024 |
Technical Update |
| 3002029601 | EPRI Research Facilitating Adoption of FERC Order 881: AAR, seasonal, emergency, forecasted ratings and concerns for next limiting elements |
Technical Update |
| Superseded | Transmission Ratings Workstation: 2023 Beta |
Pre-Software |
| 3002030129 | Transmission Ratings Workstation: 2024 |
Software |
| 3002029602 | Understanding Historical Trends with Climate Events and their Impact on Transmission Ampacity |
Technical Update |
Key Deliverables
| Product ID | Name |
Type |
|---|---|---|
| 3002030550 | Dynamic Line Ratings |
Whitepaper |
| 3002024452 | Guidance for clearance limited lines: LiDAR, UAS, and ratings best practices |
Technical Update |
| 3002027075 | Guide for Application of Weather and Forecast Models to Line Ratings |
Technical Update |
| 3002027077 | Summary of Existing Rating Practices and Considerations for Emergency Ratings |
Technical Update |
| 3002027082 | Utility Experiences with Dynamic Line Rating Technologies |
Technical Update |
| 3002027093 | Improved Methods Identifying At-risk and Wind Sheltered Spans |
Technical Update |
| 3002024453 | Using risk to establish seasonal ratings: updating to 4 seasons |
Technical Update |
| 3002024561 | Quick Insight: Ambient Adjusted and Dynamic Line Ratings on Transmission Facilities |
Whitepaper |
| 3002021564 | Ambient Adjusted Ratings Application Guide |
Technical Update |
| 3002021565 | Line Ratings Sensor Field Trials - Phase 2: LineVision V3 |
Technical Update |
| 3002020158 | Summary of Recent Increased Transmission Line Utilization Projects: 115 kV and Above |
Technical Update |