Enhanced galloping control of transmission lines: A comparative study of TMD and inerter-based spacer

The threat of transmission line galloping to power grid integrity necessitates advanced control solutions. This study, therefore, evaluates and compares the performance of a conventional Tuned Mass Damper (TMD) with that of a novel inerter-based Tuned Viscous Mass Damper Ground Spacer (TVMD-GS) for galloping mitigation. A nonlinear three-degree-of-freedom (3DOF) model incorporating amplitude-dependent stiffness and quasi-steady aerodynamics was established and subsequently simplified into a single-degree-of-freedom representation for efficient analysis. Explicit design formulas were derived through hybrid H∞–H2 optimization, with TVMD-GS parameters uniquely optimized using stiffness ratios (κD) instead of conventional inertance. Numerical simulations validated against field data confirmed the accuracy of the 3DOF models. The results demonstrate the superior performance of TVMD-GS, which increases the galloping onset wind speed from 3 m/s (uncontrolled) to a range of 17–25 m/s, exceeding the 17 m/s limit of the TMD. The inerter-enhanced bandwidth of the TVMD-GS maintains its effectiveness at higher wind speeds (>15 m/s). Stroke analysis identified the exceedance of design travel limits as the primary failure mechanism. Practical design guidelines emerge from this work: the TVMD-GS is the preferred solution for winds exceeding 15 m/s, despite its requirement for grounded installation; TMDs should restrict mass ratios to μT ≤ 0.01 to prevent conductor overload; and all designs must incorporate a minimum of 20% stroke margin. This framework successfully bridges theoretical vibration control with the specific constraints of transmission line engineering, offering validated tools for effective galloping mitigation.