Performance review of pilot transmission lines using silicon rubber insulators in Libya

Summary

Only recently, Libya has moved to a 400 kV power transmission lines system. However, composite insulators have not been used in the new 400kV-networks. There has been a big dispute in General Electricity Company of Libya (GECOL) about what kind of suspension insulators will be erected on the new 400 kV transmission line. The final decision was to use the harden glass insulators. Although the decision was taken to connect a toughened glass insulators, some engineers were not satisfied and convinced with the decision. Composite insulators were only introduced a decade ago in the Libyan Electrical Network in two pilot lines: one in the eastern coastal area and the other on the western coastal of Libya. After installation and the introduction of Silicon Rubber insulators, no attempts of studying the feasibility of utilizing such insulators has been made by checking the performance of the two pilot lines. Even though, the pilot lines, with Silicon Rubber (SiR) insulators, were erected on the coastal area the reality is the geography of Libya differs from a place to another. Beside the coastal areas, there are mountains and deserts in the south. This fact would stress a point that even though the study is concerned with the performance of composite insulators on coastal areas, however, a comparison with other experiences in the deserts will also be embedded in the discussions. This paper will critically review the performance of the pilot Lines before and after erecting Silicon Rubber insulators. Moreover, the paper will discuss the decision by the General Electricity Company of Libya (GECOL) of not installing any composite insulators in the new 400 kV electricity networks. Furthermore, the authors will try to come up with recommendations that can assist the GECOL with decisions regarding the future of composite insulators in general in Libyan Electrical Networks.

Additional informations

Authors

WALTER

Keywords

Silicon rubber, performance, external insulation, pollution