As energy demand grows, it is essential to understand and manage thermal-related issues during the construction and operation of new high-voltage transmission infrastructure. Rising ambient temperatures can potentially strain existing infrastructure, reduce cable capacity ratings, intensify aquatic thermal impacts, and elevate ecological risks in sensitive habitats. The discharge of thermally elevated water from water-based cooling systems, such as those used in data centers and power-generation facilities, into rivers, estuaries, and other receiving water bodies is an increasingly significant permitting consideration under the Clean Water Act.
Gradient scientists have extensive environmental expertise and use numerical modeling and analysis to evaluate how heat generated by electrical infrastructure, industrial operations, and other sources propagates through various environmental media and manufactured materials. From assessing the ratings and integrity of buried high-voltage cables to evaluating ecological effects of thermal discharges to water bodies, our scientists are well equipped to find solutions to thermal challenges.
Our Services and Expertise:
Technical Skills
Power Transmission and Distribution
Open Water Discharges
Product Safety
Representative Projects:
Thermal Analysis in Support of a Large-Scale Renewable Energy Transmission Project. Gradient analyzed the heat generated by transmission cables and developed 3D numerical models of critical locations along the cable route. We evaluated whether the heat generated by the cable would impact the cable’s own operations and rating under different installation scenarios, and whether there would be any impacts to nearby infrastructure or the environment. In addition, we evaluated heat dissipated by the cable in multiple landscape settings, including riverbed locations, trenches under roadways, and salt marshes.
Thermal Run-away Modeling for a Battery Energy Storage System. Gradient performed air plume modeling of emissions from potential thermal run-away and combustion conditions for a battery energy storage system (BESS) at a proposed facility. We estimated emissions for both flaming and non-flaming scenarios and used a plume-in-grid model to map hydrogen fluoride emissions in the vicinity of the facility.
Magnetic Field Assessment for a Proposed Battery Energy Storage System. Gradient performed a pair of before-and-after magnetic field assessment simulations for a proposed BESS project. We utilized a state-of-the-art magnetic field model and Geographic Information System (GIS) software packages to compute and visualize the findings. We developed isopleth maps showing the spatial drop in the magnetic field levels – from the facility fenceline to the nearest residential area – generated before and after the addition of the new BESS.
Thermal Plume Modeling for Cooling Water Discharge. Gradient modeled the release and transport of excess heat as a result of cooling water discharged from a power plant to a tidal estuary. We used a numerical, near-field mixing model to predict the distribution of temperature and chemical concentrations in the estuary for a range of power plant operational conditions and varying environmental conditions. In addition, we used the modeled temperatures to evaluate potential risks to ecological receptors in the tidal estuary.
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