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Projects: Projects for Investigator
Reference Number	NIA_UKPN0089
Title	Fluid Cable Care Phase 3
Status	Started
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) 50%;
UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation	Not Cross-cutting 100%
Principal Investigator	Project Contact No email address given UK Power Networks
Award Type	Network Innovation Allowance
Funding Source	Ofgem
Start Date	01 March 2023
End Date	30 September 2024
Duration	ENA months
Total Grant Value	£809,433
Industrial Sectors	Power
Region	London
Programme	Network Innovation Allowance
Investigators	Principal Investigator	Project Contact , UK Power Networks (99.997%)
	Other Investigator	Project Contact , South Eastern Power Networks plc (0.001%) Project Contact , Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc (0.001%) Project Contact , UKPN London Power Networks plc (0.001%)
	Industrial Collaborator	Project Contact , UK Power Networks (0.000%) Project Contact , Northern Powergrid (0.000%)
Web Site	https://smarter.energynetworks.org/projects/NIA_UKPN0089
Objectives	"Prior to this project (Phase 3), Phases 1 and 2 were successfully delivered under the NIA. The results from phase 2 of the project were significantly positive, however, there are some results that require further investigation before the large–scale uptake of Anagen. As phase 2 did not complete live circuit trials, the long-term use in an operational circuit is unknown.The project will undertake work to assess the potential for Anagen to be deployed into the cable in the same way as a standard cable oil (i.e. top up fluid). The result from this work has the potential to significantly lower the volumes of Anagen required for the successful deployment of Anagen as business as usual (BAU).Phase 3 will cover the activities listed below and live circuit trial on a selected circuit, intended to allow the rapid deployment of the technology upon the completion of the project. The project will be split into stages, 3a and 3b which are to be stage-gated with a break clause. This will enable UK Power Networks to discontinue the project if the outputs from stage 3a are unsatisfactory. Both project phases will focus on the assurance required to ensure that the formulation is electrically compatible over a more extended period at a threshold of 10 years and that it doesnt negatively affect the cable system. This will include further development of procedures for safe handling and formulation performance, which will build on those currently in place for existing electrical insulation fluids. The learnings and outputs from the course of the circuit trial for rapid leak mitigation will build further confidence in Anagen. If this technology is proven to be electrically and operationally consistent with ENA TS 09-04 and IEC 60141-1 and fully compatible with standard fluid-filled cables, it will enable DNOs to adopt it for BAU." "The primary aim of this project is to build upon the work carried out in phase two and demonstrate that the Anagen technology is ready for deployment within DNOs FFC networks. This is primarily achieved through testing at Gnosys Kinetrics test facility in Canada. In summary, the key project outputs are: Assessment of Anagen performance when deployed as part of a progressive top-up solution and when leaking into bituminous compounds HV testing and thermal load cycling program (including second-level pressure testing) according to IEC 60141, ENA TS 09-04 and an extract from ENA TS C28-4 A critical review of electrical properties Assessment of the effect of moisture content on breakdown voltage Ageing and compatibility testing with critical cable components Evaluation of self-healing efficacy under load cycling/long-term conditions Evaluation of operational procedures Evaluation of risk on maintenance equipment Environmental impact review Circuit Trial: As part of the project, a testing live circuit trial will be conducted by UK Power Networks, during which a rapid FFC leak mitigation will be carried out on potentially suitable circuits. This will assist in improving the assurance that UK Power Networks has in:o Adopting the technology for a wider network deploymentEnsuring that all identified risks, if any, can be mitigated before the wider deployment" "The objectives of this project are as follows: Establish the efficacy of Anagen when deployed as a progressive top-up regime instead of the flushing approach considered in previous project phases Establishthe efficacy and self-healing mechanisms of Anagen in healing leaks within bituminous compounds. Develop a greater understanding of how disparate cable oils flow, mix, and dilute within a cable system (including, where applicable, cable oil ducts), allowing better prediction of the efficacy of Anagen and the optimal conditions for deployment. A critical review of electrical properties of Anagen Valuation of effects of high/different concentrations of Anagen formulations (increasing tung oil percentage) to establish the minimum concentration required for Anagen to effectively seal different levels of leakages Second level cable ageing and compatibility test at elevated temperatures Second level electrical pressure testing to assess electrical integrity Evaluation of long-term sealing effectiveness (effects of load cycling) to potentially identify limitations of circuits that Anagen could be deployed on. Evaluation of Anagen handling process/procedures Evaluation of operational risk and maintenance of the fluid First level review of the environmental impact of Anagen/T3788 A greater understanding of Anagen interactions with perfluorocarbon tracers (PFT), allowing leaks on Anagen-containing cable systems to be locatedDeploy a live circuit trial in UK Power Networks area to test the rapid FFC leak mitigation in suitable circuits "
Abstract	The loss of oil from Fluid-Filled Cables (FFCs) is a significant technical and environmental challenge for operators. Across the GB approximately 375,000L of oil is lost annually from fluid-filled cables. This project aims to reduce non-catastrophic cable leaks through the introduction of self-healing fluids with the name Anagen. Under normal operation, Anagen will function as insulation oil, but upon the formation of a breach, it will crosslink within the defect to form a solid mass that will stop the leak and prevent further leaks, preserving both the cable and the local environment. This project seeks to advance the Anagen self-healing dielectric fluid to allow the fluid to be implemented in GBs FFC networks and become Business as Usual (BAU).
Publications	(none)
Final Report	(none)
Added to Database	18/10/23