scholarly journals Linear infrastructure habitats increase landscape-scale diversity of plants but not of flower-visiting insects

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliana Dániel-Ferreira ◽  
Riccardo Bommarco ◽  
Jörgen Wissman ◽  
Erik Öckinger

AbstractHabitats along linear infrastructure, such as roads and electrical transmission lines, can have high local biodiversity. To determine whether these habitats also contribute to landscape-scale biodiversity, we estimated species richness, evenness and phylogenetic diversity of plant, butterfly and bumblebee communities in 32 km2 landscapes with or without power line corridors, and with contrasting areas of road verges. Landscapes with power line corridors had on average six more plant species than landscapes without power lines, but there was no such effect for butterflies and bumblebees. Plant communities displayed considerable evenness in species abundances both in landscapes with and without power lines and high and low road verge densities. We hypothesize that the higher number of plant species in landscapes with power line corridors is due to these landscapes having a higher extinction debt than the landscapes without power line corridors, such that plant diversity is declining slower in landscapes with power lines. This calls for targeted conservation actions in semi-natural grasslands within landscapes with power line corridors to maintain biodiversity and prevent imminent population extinctions.

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
pp. 105-108
Author(s):  
Marko Kaasik ◽  
Sander Mirme

Abstract. The electric power that can be transmitted via high-voltage transmission lines is limited by the Joule heating of the conductors. In the case of coastal wind farms, the wind that produces power simultaneously contributes to the cooling of high-voltage overhead conductors. Ideally this would allow for increased power transmission or decreased dimensions and cost of the conductor wires. In this study we investigate how well the wind speed in coastal wind farms is correlated with wind along a 75 km long 330 kW power line towards inland. It is found that correlations between wind speed in coastal wind farms at turbine height and conductor-level (10 m) are remarkably lower (R=0.39–0.64) than between wind farms at distances up to 100 km from each other (R=0.76–0.97). Dense mixed forest surrounding the power line reduces both local wind speed and the correlations with coastal higher-level wind, thus making the cooling effect less reliable.


2014 ◽  
Vol 53 (4) ◽  
pp. 813-823 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gutemberg Borges França ◽  
Antonio Nascimento de Oliveira ◽  
Célia Maria Paiva ◽  
Leonardo de Faria Peres ◽  
Michael Bezerra da Silva ◽  
...  

AbstractAnthropogenic or spontaneous fires (hotspots) are the main causes of unexpected breakdowns of electrical power lines in the northern region of Brazil. This research has tested, adapted, and implemented a preoperational system aiming to prevent electrical breakdowns for 382 km of electrical transmission lines in the state of Maranhão. The breakdown electrical fire risk is based on a combination of three variables: 1) the fire risk index, 2) the remotely sensed hotspot presence in the vicinity of electrical power lines, and 3) the vegetation stage. These variables are converted into Boolean variables, and their combination will classify the electrical fire risk as extreme, high, medium, low, or null. In regard to the system input variables, the fire risk index carries the highest representativeness in composition value of the breakdown electrical fire risk. Therefore, the results of two fire risk indices, calculated on the basis of the (a) Monte Alegre and (b) Angstrom methods, are presented and discussed. The validation of the fire risk indices is based on six categorical statistics (with the obtained final values also indicated in parentheses for the Monte Alegre and Angstrom methods, respectively): accuracy (0.91, 0.92), bias (1.05, 1.06), probability of detection (0.98, 0.99), false-alarm ratio (0.07, 0.07), probability of false detection (0.90, 0.80), and threat score (0.91, 0.92). The system presented here may be used as a tool within the electrical sector to prevent and respond to sudden electrical power line breakdowns.


2021 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-72
Author(s):  
SKRYPNYK S. ◽  

In the current global economic crisis and acute shortage of energy resources, increasing importance is attached to energy saving measures, economical and careful consumption of raw materials, materials, electricity and heat, environmental safety of industrial production. During the reconstruction of existing power supply systems of industrial enterprises, modern progressive solutions should be considered and implemented, morally and physically obsolete electrical equipment should be replaced, namely the introduction of new electrical equipment for transition from 6/10 kV to 20 kV in Ukrainian power systems. It is also necessary to pay attention to the improvement of power supply circuits and distribution networks, the implementation of complex automation of complex technological processes, rational compensation of reactive power at all levels of power supply systems. In the power system, the main transport link is the power line. Power lines (transmission lines) are long conductors suspended at a safe distance from the ground overhead lines (overhead lines) or cable lines (overhead lines) in which conductors are insulated from each other and from the environment and protected by insulation and armor electricity. Power lines are the most massive elements of the power supply system, they connect the individual nodes of its circuit. Longitudinal and transverse parameters are distinguished in alternative schemes. The load current flows through the longitudinal parameters, voltage is applied to the transverse ones. The replacement circuit of the electrical network consists of replacement circuits of the following elements: power lines, transformers, reactors, capacitors, loads, power sources. Calculating the steady-state modes of power systems, the substitution schemes of the elements are given in a single-line design, because the parameters of all phases are symmetrical. In local and local electrical networks with a relatively short length and low rated voltage, the conduction currents are small compared to load currents. Therefore, in typical electrical calculations of these networks, the capacitive conductivity of the lines is not taken into account. However, for these networks, the accounting of capacitive conductivities is necessary when considering some modes, the existence of which in itself is due only to the presence of capacitive conductivities. For example, the mode of single-phase ground fault in a network with isolated or compensated neutral or analysis of the modes of operation of neutrals of electrical networks of different voltage classes cannot be performed without taking into account the capacitive conductivity of these networks. When switching the power system of Ukraine to the nominal voltage of 20 kV, it should be taken into account that the transmission line will be replaced in the sections of both the overhead power line and cable power line, namely 35, 10, 6 kV. The replacement scheme must describe all the characteristics and properties of the elements of cable and overhead lines in accordance with real conditions. Thus, it is not expedient to use simplified substitution circuits that neglect energy parameters and properties of conductors to study the parameters of transmission lines. The use of a complete "P" -shaped scheme for the analysis of the parameters of transmission lines and transmission lines for a voltage of 20 kV is the basis of mathematical modeling of the transmission system in the distribution networks of our country.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenta Takaya ◽  
Hiroshi Ohta ◽  
Keishi Shibayama ◽  
Valeri Kroumov

This work presents some results about power transmission line tracking control and a full autonomous inspection using a quadrotor helicopter. The presented in this paper power line autonomous inspection allows detecting power line defects caused by thunderstorms, corrosion, insulator malfunctions, and same time monitoring of vegetation under the power line corridor. Traditional inspection is performed by helicopters equipped with high-resolution cameras or by direct visual examination carried out by highly skilled staff climbing over de-energized power lines. However, the visual inspection is time-expensive and costly. Moreover, due to regulatory constraints, the helicopters cannot cover narrow mountainous areas. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) are an attractive alternative for power line inspection. In this work, a mathematical model for the quadrotor helicopter used in the autonomous inspection is presented. The model is successfully evaluated through simulations and flight experiments. Next, the construction of a quadrotor helicopter system and its application to power line autonomous inspection is introduced. Simulation and experimental results demonstrate the efficiency and applicability of that system. The results of this research are in the process of implementation for regular inspection of electrical transmission lines.


Author(s):  
D. A. Yaroslavskiy ◽  
V. V. Nguyen ◽  
M. F. Sadykov ◽  
M. P. Goryachev ◽  
A. A. Naumov

The article substantiates the relevance of the inspection of overhead power lines by determining the mechanical loads of the conductors. The conductor sways under the action of external loads and variable internal mechanical loads. The conductor behaves in span like a pendulum. Using the inclinometric method, it is possible to determine the deviations of the conductor in space from its equilibrium position. Having restored the geometry of the conductor in the span of an overhead power line, mechanical loads can be determined. A model of the harmonic oscillations of the conductor in flight is derived to assess the mechanical loads of the conductor overhead power lines. This mathematical model is based on mathematical models of a flexible thread and a model of a physical pendulum. A conductor is a physical pendulum, where the conductor acts as the body, and in the role of the fixed axis of rotation, a straight line passing through the suspension points of the conductor. The developed model allows you to determine the arrow of its sag from the period of oscillations of the conductor in the span. The article considers algorithms for calculating the conductor sag arrows for two cases: the conductor suspension points are at the same height; conductor suspension points are at different heights. A theoretical calculation is given for a model of a span overhead power line with an estimate of the sensitivity of the developed model and its error in determining the sag of the conductor. Using the arrow of the conductor sag, you can restore its geometry, and hence the mechanical load of the conductor. Therefore, knowing the initial geometric parameters of the span of the overhead power line and the current period of the conductor’s oscillations, it is possible to examine its current state.


Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (13) ◽  
pp. 3855
Author(s):  
Arturo Popoli ◽  
Leonardo Sandrolini ◽  
Andrea Cristofolini

In this paper, a strategy for reducing the electromagnetic interferences induced by power lines on metallic pipelines is proposed and numerically investigated. The study considers a set of steel conductors interposed between the power line and the pipeline. Different shapes of conductor cross sections and different magnetic permeabilities are considered, to identify the solution exhibiting the greatest mitigation efficiency for the same amount of material. The investigation is carried out by means of a quasi-3D finite element analysis. Results show that the main mechanism responsible for the mitigation is constituted by the currents induced in the screening conductors by the power line. Hence, a high magnetic permeability can have a detrimental effect since it reduces the skin depth to values below the size of the screening conductor. In this case, a reduction of the screening current and in the mitigation efficiency is observed. Nevertheless, the study shows that the use of strip-shaped screening conductors allows the employment of cheaper magnetic materials without compromising the mitigation efficacy of the screening conductors.


Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 1540
Author(s):  
Bence Fülöp ◽  
Bálint Pacsai ◽  
Judit Bódis

Semi-natural grasslands were previously established through traditional land use and maintained by active management, but their extension nowadays is declining rapidly, particularly in areas that also have tourism potential. In parallel, the conservation value of the remaining areas is increasing. The shore of Lake Balaton is a particularly good example, as Lake Balaton is an area highly affected by tourism, yet there have been valuable habitats able to survive and provide refuge for many vulnerable, protected species. Fortunately, we have reliable information about the vegetation of the area from two decades ago. Comparing these data with our recent surveys we investigated the changes in habitats and the distribution of protected plant species in connection with the active conservation treatments such as grazing or cutting. Our results show that in areas where treatments are still ongoing, protected plant species are more likely to survive, or even other species can appear, which is in clear contrast with conditions experienced in abandoned areas, where at least seven protected species have disappeared. According to our results, minor, but appropriately chosen and well-executed management interventions, can help in the long-term maintenance of species-rich habitats and improving the conservation status of threatened species.


Risk Analysis ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 37 (12) ◽  
pp. 2276-2288 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jarry T. Porsius ◽  
Liesbeth Claassen ◽  
Fred Woudenberg ◽  
Tjabe Smid ◽  
Danielle R. M. Timmermans
Keyword(s):  

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 492
Author(s):  
Levente Rácz ◽  
Bálint Németh

Exceeding the electric field’s limit value is not allowed in the vicinity of high-voltage power lines because of both legal and safety aspects. The design parameters of the line must be chosen so that such cases do not occur. However, analysis of several operating power lines in Europe found that the electric field strength in many cases exceeds the legally prescribed limit for the general public. To illustrate this issue and its importance, field measurement and finite element simulation results of the low-frequency electric field are presented for an active 400 kV power line. The purpose of this paper is to offer a new, economical expert system based on dynamic line rating (DLR) that utilizes the potential of real-time power line monitoring methods. The article describes the expert system’s strengths and benefits from both technical and financial points of view, highlighting DLR’s potential for application. With our proposed expert system, it is possible to increase a power line’s safety and security by ensuring that the electric field does not exceed its limit value. In this way, the authors demonstrate that DLR has other potential applications in addition to its capacity-increasing effect in the high voltage grid.


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