Powerline cable count and engineering question (HV power distribution lines)

[anorlunda]

Power line engineering is a complicated compromise, it is hard to guess what parameters were most important during the design.

Well said, and nearly complete list of design considerations.

 

[Windadct]

I think the word compromise, has been vilified, and particularly to some more idealistic engineering types. One way to see this is an equation, with many possible solutions - and the best one(s) include many variables ( arguments).