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Projects: Projects for Investigator
Reference Number NIA_SHET_0006
Title Insulated Cross Arms - Lecht & St Fergus Trials
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 ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Electrical and Electronic Engineering) 100%
UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation Not Cross-cutting 100%
Principal Investigator Project Contact
No email address given
Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution plc (SHEPD)
Award Type Network Innovation Allowance
Funding Source Ofgem
Start Date 01 January 2010
End Date 01 January 2015
Duration 60 months
Total Grant Value £489,000
Industrial Sectors Power
Region Scotland
Programme Network Innovation Allowance
 
Investigators Principal Investigator Project Contact , Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution plc (SHEPD) (100.000%)
Web Site http://www.smarternetworks.org/project/NIA_SHET_0006
Objectives Design and build prototypes for the uprating of 132KV tower lines Install prototype 132KV models in a harsh weather environment test area - The Lecht Install current L3 prototype models in a coastal trial site to evaluate the effects of salt and other pollutants on the insulation - St Fergus Installing and monitoring the Lecht and St Fergus trials for the Insulated Cross Arms
Abstract Currently the only method open to Transmission Network Owners (TOs) who wish to uprate their 132kV lines to 275kV is to rebuild the towers to a higher specification (i.e. larger towers), at a significant cost, due to the increased clearances from ground required by law for higher voltage lines. Insulated Cross Arms (ICAs) will enable the uprating without the need to rebuild the towers (by effectively raising the height of conductors from the ground). This would allow greater throughput of power on the existing network with less expense on upgrades and quicker time frames for increasing network capacity. The aim of the Insulated Cross Arms is to maximise the capacity of existing infrastructure without rebuilding tower lines. Design and trial of Insulated Cross Arm technology that will allow the voltage uprating of 132kV tower lines to 275kV: The Lecht Trial (Scotland ) will test the mechanical strength of 4 Insulated Cross Arms, the location was selected as one of our most exposed transmission lines; and The St Fergus Trial (Scotland) will test the electrical integrity of 2 of the Insulated Cross Arms to investigate how the arms handle polluted environments, As salt is the primary pollutant in this instance, the location was selected as a coastal location.Note : Project Documents may be available via the ENA Smarter Networks Portal using the Website link above
Publications (none)
Final Report (none)
Added to Database 20/08/18