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Projects: Projects for Investigator
Reference Number	NIA_SSEN_0037
Title	Low Voltage Underground Fault Location Technologies (LV-UFLT)
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 and Southern Energy plc
Award Type	Network Innovation Allowance
Funding Source	Ofgem
Start Date	01 June 2019
End Date	01 December 2020
Duration	ENA months
Total Grant Value	£396,000
Industrial Sectors	Power
Region	Scotland
Programme	Network Innovation Allowance
Investigators	Principal Investigator	Project Contact , Scottish and Southern Energy plc (100.000%)
	Other Investigator	Project Contact , Scottish and Southern Energy plc (100.000%)
	Industrial Collaborator	Project Contact , Scottish and Southern Energy plc (0.000%)
Web Site	https://smarter.energynetworks.org/projects/NIA_SSEN_0037
Objectives	Using novel technical methods to assess off-the-shelf technologies for their viability to complement existing tools, to provide a more holistic approach to quick pin-pointing of faults on the LV network. The method will follow a staged process as described below:PHASE 1 - Test Network Assessment.A range of acoustic devices and fault passage indicators (FPIs) will be trialed on a test network. This approach enables simulation of a range of faults under controlled conditions. Different acoustic devices and fault passage indicators will be benchmarked against each other so that the most technically capable ones can be identified.PHASE 2 - Field TrialsFrom Test Network Trials more of the most technically capable devices identified in the foregoing phase will be obtained and passed to a selection of field teams in SEPD/SHEPD. The teams will be chosen to cover different network topographies and cable types. The trials will run for 12 months to ensure a decent representative sample of use cases. During that time, data from the field will be collected, analysed and compared with historical records to establish quantifiable improvements in fault location. In addition, the practical opportunities or challenges of deploying these devices in a real operational environment will be assessed.PHASE 3 Project Close Down If the results from the stages above demonstrate technical and financial viability, a recommendation will be made for transfer into business as usual. To assess how acoustic and FPI technologies perform when managing faults on the LV Network. The project will consist of 3 Phases Phase 1 - (3 Months) Evaluation of identified technologies on a test network. Design process in preparation for field trials on DNO LV network. Phase 2 (12 Months) Field trials using technologies on sustained LV faults and transient fault circuits. Phase 3 (3 Months) Project evaluation that could lead to business as usual. Dissemination of project to other network licensees and interested parties. By the end of the projectTo have established the technical and commercial viability of the best in class of acoustic cable fault location devices and fault passage indicators working in conjunction with existing proven LV fault location technologies.To have maximised the portfolio of technologies available for LV fault location and made recommendations for optimal adoption of the suitable devices for business as usual use. To have disseminated the learning from the project through annual or exceptional events for the benefit of GB customers.
Abstract	This project is seeking ways of improving the LV fault location techniques and increase the available options to resolve them.
Publications	(none)
Final Report	(none)
Added to Database	14/12/22