Algoritmo para Alocação Ótima de Para-raios em Linhas de Transmissão Inspirado em Busca em Vizinhança Variável

ABSTRACTThe installation of transmission line surge arresters (TLSAs) hasbeen one of the main solutions found to improve the performanceof overhead transmission lines (OHTLs) against atmospheric discharges.Thus, this work proposes a methodology for the optimalplacement of TLSAs in OHTLs, which is based on the couplingbetween an algorithm inspired by GVNS (General Variable NeighborhoodSearch) and the ATP (Alternative Transient Program) software.The line performance calculation is made considering thetransfer effect of the lightning surge due to arresters operation.This transfer mechanism that can lead adjacent towers to flashoveris rarely mentioned in the literature. A study is performed consideringtwo transmission lines. At the end, in order to analyze theperformance of the proposed methodology, experiments are carriedout to optimize the positioning of TLSAs in the mentioned OHTLs.To validate the developed methodology, the results obtained arecompared with the results acquired through the coupling of a GA(Genetic Algorithm) with the ATP and with the results achievedthrough a classic method for the placement of TLSAs based on thetower-footing impedances. The results show that aspects such asthe lightning surge transfer effect and favoring the positioning ofTLSAs in the lowest phase(s) should be considered in future studiesfor the design of algorithms for optimal placement of arresters onOHTLs.