Abstract
Pipelines collocated in close proximity to high voltage alternating current (HVAC) transmission lines may be subjected to electrical interference from capacitive, electromagnetic inductive and conductive effects. If these effects are high enough they may pose a safety hazard to personnel, or may compromise the integrity of the pipeline. The effects of HVAC interference from a personnel safety and corrosion risk standpoint are well documented, however recent developments in the electric power transmission industry have driven trends toward increasing HVAC transmission line voltages and currents. Renewable energy generation and corresponding technologies have shown rapid growth in recent years. Multiple factors are driving the generating facilities, be it wind, hydro-electric, solar, or other, further from the major consumption centers requiring the power. This creates a well-documented challenge for efficient electric power transmission over increasing distances.1,2,3,4 Multiple technologies have been developed recently to help overcome long distance transmission line loss, each having its own unique benefits and detriments. However, nearly all involve significant increases to the transmission line operating capacity, and will result in elevated line currents whether they are short term dynamic loads, or steady state. The increasing HVAC transmission currents present a significant challenge for pipeline owners operating utilities sharing the corridor, crossing, or paralleling the power transmission lines. This paper focuses on reviewing the recent trends in the HVAC transmission industry, and their effects on collocated buried pipelines, specific to induced AC potentials, current density, and ground fault hazards.
