Power systems of the future. I

The assets and working philosophy of individual utilities will in large measure be reflected by the modernization of their power systems in the next 2 decades. The power system of the future should enable utilities to: be more competitive with their overall strategies; provide better service; better manage their assets; extend equipment life; improve diagnostics; and develop reliability-centered maintenance. In looking ahead at the next 2 decades, we consider various options that are available, point out the less likely, and highlight those that have the potential of achieving major improvements. Although the next 20 years is a little soon for dispersed generation to have a significant impact, some of the implications of dispersed generation are considered. The following topics are covered in this paper: transmission and distribution developments; comparison of overhead and underground power delivery; the pros and cons of underground delivery; superconducting power transmission including cables; and cryoresistive delivery including conventional cryoresistive delivery, hyperconductivity and metal-plated graphite fibres.