How do I model a distribution power line?

I am doing my master's thesis and the topic is evaluation of lightning performance of distribution lines in my country. I have geographic coordinates of all the concrete poles used to construct the distribution lines and all the electrical parameter data on the conductors, transfromers and everything. I dont where to start modelling the line especiallly,

1. is it possible and how if its possible to model the distribution line with its geographic coordinates graphically so that I am able to simulate lightning on the said distribution line?
2. Is it possible to model lightning anf if possible how would I do it?

Answer 1

[Purvaja]

Hi there,

Assuming that you are looking to graphically model the “lighting performance” instead of “lightning performance” of distribution lines using geographic coordinates in MATLAB, you can utilize the Geographic Plots functionality. This allows you to visualize the distribution lines on a map and simulate lighting conditions.

1. Plotting the Distribution line: Use the “Geoplot” function to create a line plot of your distribution lines based on the geographic coordinates of the concrete poles.

lat = [34.05, 34.06, 34.07]; % Your latitudes 
lon = [-118.25, -118.26, -118.27]; % Your longitudes 
figure; 
geoplot(lat, lon, '-o', LineWidth=1.5, MarkerSize=6); 
title('Distribution Line Layout'); 
geobasemap('topographic');  

This will render your line on an interactive basemap. You can also overlay multiple lines or markers using hold on.

2. Simulate Lighting intensities: You can represent lighting conditions by overlaying additional data, such as light intensity or other parameters, using scatter plots or bubble charts.

figure; 
geoplot(lat, lon, '-o', 'MarkerFaceColor', 'r'); % Plot poles 
title('Distribution Lines with Lighting Simulation'); 
light_intensity = [100, 750, 400]; % light intensity values 
hold on; 

geoscatter(lat, lon, light_intensity, 'filled', 'MarkerFaceColor', 'y'); 
text(latitudes, longitudes, string(light_intensity), 'VerticalAlignment', 'bottom'); 
geobasemap('topographic');  
geolimits([34.05 34.06], [-118.25 -118.24]);  
hold off; 

Following plot will be constructed simulating lighting positions along the distribution line:

You can refer to these resources to get an idea for wider picture:

1. Geoplot: https://www.mathworks.com/help/matlab/ref/geoplot.html
2. Create Maps using longitude and latitude data: https://www.mathworks.com/help/matlab/creating_plots/plot-in-geographic-coordinates.html
3. Geographic Plots: https://www.mathworks.com/help/matlab/geographic-plots.html
4. Geographic Axes: https://www.mathworks.com/help/matlab/ref/matlab.graphics.axis.geographicaxes-properties.html

Hope this helps you!