Testing the applicability of existing approaches to next-gen OPL design

Power engineering currently seeks, among other things, to use innovative energy-efficient technology and to benefit from the R&D potential associated with grids. Conventional solutions based on general design methodologies are a hindrance in this respect, as they prevent the strategic objectives from having the expected quantitative and qualitative effects in full. Requirements to the reliability, cost-effectiveness, and performance of grid facilities are ever stricter, specifically those to overhead power lines (OPL). Next-gen power lines are proposed as a solution. What makes a power line design next-gen? An innovative wire of cost-effective cross-section, a special tower design, state-of-the-art insulation and ground wire, if necessary. The paper seeks to investigate how innovative OPL components affect the design outcomes from the standpoint of common guidelines and standards. The research uses a systematic approach and presents the specifics of innovative next-gen OPL components to show that standards are sometimes obsolete and do not match the today's state-of-the-art solutions. The paper advocates the development of newer standards and guidelines on OPL design.