As competitive energy markets maximize utilization of high-voltage transmission assets to lower overall electricity costs, correctly modeling and monitoring transmission lines in real-time applications becomes a center focus to grid operators. The relationship between conductor resistance and temperature is often neglected, and maximum conductor temperature is commonly assumed to determine line impedance values and static line ratings. When the thermal characteristics of a transmission line are included directly in utility applications, system state estimation calculations will better reflect reality, and the economic generation dispatch will better utilize the capabilities of existing transmission line facilities.