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Projects: Projects for Investigator
Reference Number	NIA_SHET_0020
Title	Remote Asset INertial Monitoring & Alerting Network (RAINMAN)
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) 50%; ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering) 25%; ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES (Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences) 25%;
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 July 2016
End Date	01 January 2019
Duration	32 months
Total Grant Value	£675,000
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_0020
Objectives	; Define system requirements; Conduct a feasibility study to prove that the concept is sound; Develop pole movement sensors and demonstrate functionality; Develop an autonomous power supply for pole mounted sensors and demonstrate functionality; Apply a low power wide area wireless communication system to sensors and demonstrate functionality; Develop software based analytics and an application server and demonstrate functionality; Devise and demonstrate a safe and cost effective method for installing sensors on wood poles; Advance system performance following business requirements criteria in simulated scenarios; Evaluate system performance against business requirements criteria in a real world installation; Document all results, conclusions and recommendations; Provide a documented conclusion from a proven cost benefits analysis; Evaluate project outcomes for possible adoption by BAU The project success criteria: 1) Whether or not the Ekkosense sensors and the associated software analytics can provide timely, reliable and accurate warnings of wood pole movements or failure2) Whether or not a reliable, resilient autonomous power supply can be developed for low power pole mounted devices3) Whether or not a low power wide area wireless communications network can be made to function reliably for telemetry in a hostile, rural environment
Abstract	Power distribution and transmission overhead line conductors are often supported on wood poles. This is especially true in rural areas, such as the Scottish Highlands and Islands, where remote customers are served by very long network segments. In these areas the network is exposed to harsh weather conditions which, over time, can weaken poles and their footings. Despite being robust, the poles, some of which are now over 40 years old, can eventually move, fall or break, which can cause loss of supply to customers. Pole degradation through accelerated ageing can contribute to the risk of failure. Damage to poles can also occur due to impact, e.g. by flying debris during storms or by a vehicle. In some cases, single points of failure can affect significant numbers of customers. This is true in locations such as the Isle of Skye where wooden trident poles support about 70km of 132kV transmission line. This section is part of a radial circuit which extends from the mainland across Skye to deliver power via subsea cables to serve the Western Isles. A single wood pole failure here could affect the supply of more than 10,000 customers. The time taken to restore supply can range from a few hours to several days, depending on how quickly the defective pole can be located and replaced. Although regular scheduled inspections and proactive maintenance and refurbishment activities are carried out, in the event of a fault, the DNO/TO response will usually be reactive after the fault has occurred. SHE Transmission is seeking ways to trigger a proactive response through early warning alerts about pole movements in addition to faster and more precise fault alarm systems which will contribute to improved supply restoration time if a pole does fail. The Remote Asset INertial Monitoring & Alerting Network (RAINMAN) is a new technology being developed to detect events which have caused wood poles to tilt, deform, spring, twist, degrade or fail due to impact. Ekkosense, the developer, has unique sensing hardware and analytics software which can differentiate between normal weather-induced pole movements and sudden damaging impacts. The technology can also measure small incremental changes over time which could suggest that a pole is gradually leaning. A small, low-cost device is attached to each wooden pole by a simple fixing. The device contains the movement sensors, an autonomous power source and low power wireless communications. The device will collect data and communicate with an application server as required. The application server will perform analytics and raise alarms graded by priority, superimposed on a map display to indicate precise location. There will be three main alarm events. The first is a for a sudden high magnitude ‘g’ event indicating a pole-strike or line-strike, requiring immediate investigation. The second is for a high magnitude movement or change in inclination, indicating that a pole has fallen over and requiring immediate attention. The third is for a low magnitude event of either ‘g’ (e.g. vibration) or inclination (e.g. tilt) indicating a change to a pole over time. This would trigger DNO/TNO proactivity on pole maintenance for avoiding a possible outage. Within this project the RAINMAN system will be refined, developed and ruggedized for field trials. SHE Transmission will identify high risk network segments which are supported by wood poles and will facilitate fieldtrials over a winter season to assess the performance of the system.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	11/12/18