Overhead Line ROW

[HamidEle]

We are planning to lay out 72KV overhead lines for our project. But we are not sure which ROW ( right of away ) we should choose. I have seen ROW varies from 20m to 60m for 72kV OH lines. We intend to choose 20m but we are not sure what is the risk of choosing narrower ROW for OHL. Can some expert here in this forum shed some lights on me? Thanks a lot in advance.

 

[FreddyNurk]

I'm no expert, but in discussion with a regional utility here, one of the reasons they choose larger ROW for such things was the possibility of future expansion, even though it was possible for them to get two separate circuits off the one tower. Larger ROW allowed for a second tower run without all the protracted access issues.

Their area was complicated as a lot of the ROW didn't yet have survey and thus they couldn't get ROW granted, your case may be different.

Other issues may be related to the type and size of vegetation that may grow around it, contingency planning, planning for disaster events that drop a tower where it shouldn't and so on.

 

[HamidEle]

Thanks, FreddyNurk,

Future expansion is one of our concerns.Larger right-of-away would allow for a second tower to be set up without all the protracted issues. I was also told by a Overhead vendor ROW has something to do with the span of OH lines. The longer the OH span, the larger ROW it requires.

 

[jghrist]

Span length is a factor because longer spans have more sag and more sag means more horizontal blowout of the conductors. Blowout reduces side clearance.

 

[cranky108]

jghrist, what you did not say is longer spans translates to fewer towers, and less cost for towers (usually).

Look at the cost difference of the ROW width, and the difference in cost of the line for different configurations. Make the judgment on cost.

In many lines the larger ROW is not possible in some locations, which requires a different structure type.

 

[bacon4life]

Also consider vegetation management outside your ROW. Storms and inexperienced loggers can have a big impact when using a narrow ROW. In some areas we have an additional 30m of slashing rights on either side of the ROW.

 

[racookpe1978]

Not an EE, but I was wondering what kind of land use is expected in an ROW?

Industrial use (unless for non-public access businesses?) seems "out", and all homes and retail are excluded, but what can that land be used for? Parking lots - if near a city or other facility?

Could you run a rail line down the ROW? A pipe line?

 

[cranky108]

Rail and metal pipes in ROW are a problem because they steal energy from the power line (I just wish some people here would learn this).

Many ROW are used for farm, and pasture land, and parking lots (however watch the placment of lighting). We see parks, creeks, golf courses, new car lots, roads, lakes, etc.

Most ROW's follow roadways, so the land isen't that usable to the owner anyway, because of road offsets, sidewalks, ect. Most pasture land there are no problems at all. Also in developed areas, the poorest land is the only land available, and can't be used for building anyway.