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Projects: Projects for Investigator
Reference Number	NIA_SPEN0015
Title	Real Time Fault Level Monitoring (RTFLM) - Stage 1
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 SP Energy Networks
Award Type	Network Innovation Allowance
Funding Source	Ofgem
Start Date	01 January 2017
End Date	01 January 2018
Duration	14 months
Total Grant Value	£323,089
Industrial Sectors	Power
Region	Scotland
Programme	Network Innovation Allowance
Investigators	Principal Investigator	Project Contact , SP Energy Networks (99.999%)
	Other Investigator	Project Contact , ScottishPower Manweb plc (0.001%)
Web Site	http://www.smarternetworks.org/project/NIA_SPEN0015
Objectives	Each discrete WP has an objective: 1. Prototype Development To design and develop a prototype RTFLM solution suitable for trial deployment on the network. 2. Prototype Testing To prove that the prototype is suitable for network trials without any detrimental impact on the network. 3. Extended Site Trials To generate consistent and reliable measurements over an extended period of time without any detrimental impact on the network. 4. Design Review and Recommendations The identification expected benefits based on the limited site trials and the business case for BaU adoption, as well as the further developments required. 5. Dissemination To ensure that external and internal stakeholders are fully aware of this projects findings and any potential benefits expected through BaU adoption. Each discrete WP has Success Criteria: 1. Prototype Development This WP will be successful if a design for a feasible RTFLM solution can be developed and a prototype suitable for deployment is constructed. 2. Prototype Testing This WP will be successful if the prototype passes FAT and SAT, and is proven to have no detrimental impact to the network when it is introduced. 3. Extended Site Trials This WP will be a success if the RTFLM can be proven to generate consistent and reliable measurements over an extended period of time without any detrimental impact on the network. 4. Design Review and Recommendations This WP will be a success if it identifies if this solution is worth pursuing further or not. If it is the WP will identify the potential benefits based on the site trial results and the developments required. If the solution is not worth pursuing the WP will outline the full reasoning and justification. 5. Dissemination This WP will be a success if the project is disseminated externally and internally on several occasions and generates interest in the solution from the industry. The continuation of the project will be reviewed at the end of each WP. If it is not feasible to continue to the next WP the project will be drawn to a close at the end of the previous WP, with the exception of WP 5 which required regardless of the success of each of the other WPs.
Abstract	The management of fault levels has always been challenging and problematic for Distribution Network Operators (DNOs). Fault level management is particularly challenging given the safety criticality implications as excursions can result in catastrophic equipment failure and a serious personnel and public safety risk. While conventional practice has been to establish system fault level design limits in line with accompanying plant specification, novel approaches that enable full utilisation of the existing headroom must be developed to facilitate a timely decarbonisation of the economy. Renewable energy will play a critical role in meeting the UK legally binding goal of an 80% emissions reduction by 2050. Deployment to date has been strong with renewables meeting 7% of energy demand in 2014, on-track towards the objective of 30% of electricity from renewables in 2020. Due to unprecedented growth in distributed generation fault level headroom constraints are becoming increasingly challenging often requiring major reinforcement schemes. Fault levels can act as a barrier to the connection of renewable generation and have become a decisive factor in determining the financial viability of many distributed generation connections. This project aims to develop and trial prototype a novel Real Time Fault Level Monitoring (RTFLM) solution. The solution being developed to: Provide reliable and repeatable fault level measurements on-demand Be applied to LV → 33kV networks Generate results through the application of an artificial LV disturbance to a transformer coupled to the busbar the fault level is required for Understand and mitigate the impact the artificial disturbance has on the network Identify the optimum solution and potential business case following site trial The expectation being that the solution will benefit DNOs and customers by providing real time visibility of the network fault level, in doing so: Provide a new method for identifying additional capacity on networks currently constrained by high fault levels Provide health and safety improvements through the identification of network conditions pushing fault level close / over the design rating of substation equipment If successful it is expected that this solution will be a key consideration of the Active Fault Level Management (AFLM) Toolbox being developed in a parallel project “NIA_SPEN_0014 Active Fault Level Management”.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	05/12/18