Statistical switching method to establish the minimal requirements of insulation coordination in double-circuit transmission lines

Power grid modernization is often associated with new projects that imply the transmission network expansion, where transient overvoltages related to energization maneuvers must be studied in advance using suitable tools that consider the transmission line characteristics. Switching transient analysis is one of the options to deal with this phenomenon, but statistical switching analysis is the preferred tool to carry out multiple simulations. As opposed to existing works, this paper proposes a comprehensive approach for the statistical switching in double-circuit transmission lines based on existing transmission infrastructure that requires the installation of double-line circuits or resizing the existing ones. The switching sequence of circuit breakers based on distribution functions are discussed in detail, which are generalized using different standard deviations. Pre-insertion resistors and shunt reactors are also considered in this methodology, enabling practical results related to the calculation of the basic insulation level. All these aspects combined permit to establish the minimal requirements for the insulation coordination in double-circuit transmission lines from a practical standpoint. To showcase the method’s practicality, the switching analysis of a 300-km double-circuit transmission line is conducted using the EMTP/ATP simulation package. Energization maneuvers with pre-insertion resistors and shunt reactors are studied, considering the transmission line operation at 230 and 400 kV, concluding that the minimal requirement of protection against transient overvoltages must be around 1.35 p.u.