Projects
Projects: Projects for Investigator |
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| Reference Number | NIA_UKPN0013 | |
| Title | Underground HV Cable Research | |
| Status | Completed | |
| Energy Categories | Other Power and Storage Technologies(Electricity transmission and distribution) 100%; | |
| Research Types | Applied Research and Development 100% | |
| Science and Technology Fields | PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Metallurgy and Materials) 25%; ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Electrical and Electronic Engineering) 75%; |
|
| UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation | Not Cross-cutting 100% | |
| Principal Investigator |
Project Contact No email address given Eastern Power Networks plc |
|
| Award Type | Network Innovation Allowance | |
| Funding Source | Ofgem | |
| Start Date | 01 September 2015 | |
| End Date | 01 June 2017 | |
| Duration | 21 months | |
| Total Grant Value | £932,477 | |
| Industrial Sectors | Power | |
| Region | London | |
| Programme | Network Innovation Allowance | |
| Investigators | Principal Investigator | Project Contact , Eastern Power Networks plc (99.998%) |
| Other Investigator | Project Contact , UK Power Networks (0.001%) Project Contact , South Eastern Power Networks plc (0.001%) |
|
| Web Site | http://www.smarternetworks.org/project/NIA_UKPN0013 |
|
| Objectives | The objective of the project is to identify high risk underground HV cables. This will enable us to carry out planned interventions and to manage fault occurrences, thereby maintaining system reliability. Condition assessment through forensic analysis will enable us to better understand the degradation mechanism of high voltage underground cables which can be used to potentially prevent any fault occurrence due to degradation. Collation of asset information from various sources and forensic analysis results will allow us to build an underground cable prioritisation model. This model will be used to optimise asset investment by targeted intervention of high risk HV cables. The following will be considered when assessing if the project has been successful: Successful collection of a number of HV underground cable samples for forensic analysis Improvement in the understanding of HV underground cables and their deterioration through forensic analysis Collation of cable information from various UK Power Networks systems Development of cable prioritisation model | |
| Abstract | Underground cables in distribution network system offer improved security of supply compared to overhead line systems. However a large portion of underground solid HV cables are nearing the end of their useful life which may require significant investments in order to maintain system reliability. UK Power Networks run approximately 44,422km of HV underground solid cables within its three licence area. This equates to approximately 28% of national population of HV underground cables. We had approximately 10,326 HV cable faults recorded in the last five years. There are various factors that may have an impact on the life expectancy of underground cables. These factors are related to thermal, electrical and mechanical issues which need to be identified. A proactive and methodical approach is required for prioritising investment on the basis of worst performing circuits. In order to achieve this it is vital to understand the condition of HV underground cables and to develop a HV cable prioritisation model. The project is divided into two phases: Phase 1:Following tasks are planned to be carried out: Number of cable samples will be collected from selected areas of UK Power Networks based on high frequency of HV faults due to deterioration. Condition assessment will be carried out on these samples through forensic analysis in order to understand degradation mechanism. Historic fault data will be reviewed for all the HV underground cables within UK Power Networks Asset information (including cable type, year of manufacturer, manufacturer, location etc.) will be collated from various UK Power Networks systems for analysis Phase 2: HV underground cable prioritisation model will be developed by using data collated during phase 1, analysis of fault data and forensic analysis of HV cable samples. Health indices for underground HV cables will be calculated to prioritise the investment strategy.Note : Project Documents may be available via the ENA Smarter Networks Portal using the Website link above | |
| Publications | (none) |
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| Final Report | (none) |
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| Added to Database | 17/12/18 | |
