I am a past user of finite element software in the power industry (generally quasi-electrostatic simulation). I had primarily used high-end commercial codes but am looking for an alternative. I found FreeFEM online. It stood out as a reasonable option based on my review of documentation. However, I would appreciate input on whether folks think the code could be used for the following cases:
1. 2D analysis of high voltage transmission lines:
- Frequency domain (quasi-electrostatic / low frequency) electric and magnetic fields due to voltages and current on multiple parallel conductors. Voltages and currents are defined with complex numbers to give the phase difference between conductors.
- Calculation of per unit length transmission line impedance (capacitance and frequency dependent inductance/resistance), including the effects of lossy earth. Still considered quasi-static, but could involve calculation of parameters up to about 10 MHz. Needs to resolve skin effect and proximity effects in conductors. Needs to be able to produce self and mutual impedance terms in order to assemble line impedance matrices. Applies to both overhead and underground high voltage transmission systems.
- Coupled heat transfer physics to determine joule heating in conductors and adjacent steel structures. Includes magnetic hysteresis and eddy current losses, preferably with conduction, radiation, and convection (though it is possible to get by without explicitly modeling the latter two).
2. 3D analysis of high voltage transmission lines and apparatus.
- Primarily involves importing 3D models of high voltage hardware and analyzing the quasi-electrostatic fields strength around high voltage apparatus. Models usually consist of grounded metal components such as the transmission structure, energized components such as the high voltage wires and attachment hardware, and insulator dielectric materials (glass or polymer). Earth is assumed to be a perfect conductor. Could involve as many as 10 to 20 million tetrahedral elements.
- Analysis of small currents to ground induced on grounded objects in the presence of high voltage transmission lines. The approach involves measuring current in a cylindrical path to ground connecting an otherwise floating potential object to perfect conducting earth.
Do you think FreeFEM could handle these cases?
Thanks!