Oncor has applied for government stimulus funds to create a unique installation of tension-monitoring equipment capable of real-time, transmission line capacity analysis.

If awarded $3.5 million from the Department of Energy for a regional demonstration project, Oncor would install technology on eight high-voltage lines in Bell, Bosque, Falls, Hill, McLennan and Williamson counties in central Texas as part of a three-and-a-half-year study. Oncor filed its application with the DOE this week. Yesterday the deadline to apply for regional demonstration project funds through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

“Oncor is committed to developing technology that improves service and reliability, as well as lowering costs to consumers,” said Bob Shapard, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Oncor. “In this project, Oncor would be testing sensors in 26 locations that would indicate how much additional capacity is available on a transmission circuit. With this real-time information, Oncor could manage electricity flow from north to south more effectively. Just like cars traveling a congested highway during rush hour, electricity moving through heavy traffic sometimes has trouble getting where it needs to go. Knowing how much room there might be on a line real-time gives Oncor much more flexibility.”

Oncor would contribute $3.8 million in capital costs to fund the demonstration project.

Over the life of the study, Oncor will incorporate readings from the dynamic line-rating devices into its transmission management system. Oncor plans to analyze the impact of the new technology on the congested north-south transmission corridor, determine a method for establishing day-ahead readings and help develop easy-to-use tools for managing transmission grids. The technology will undergo a cost-benefit analysis to evaluate whether it delivers real savings.

“This project could be a bellwether for other transmission grid operators,” Shapard said. “Although this would be an experimental project, Oncor believes the technology is promising.”

Earlier this year, Oncor applied for $317 million in stimulus funds for three projects, including $200 million in grants for Oncor’s advanced metering system installation.