Projects
Projects: Projects for Investigator |
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| Reference Number | NIA_SPEN_0026 | |
| Title | Linkbox Monitoring using Narrow Band IoT | |
| Status | Completed | |
| Energy Categories | Other Cross-Cutting Technologies or Research 30%; Other Power and Storage Technologies(Electricity transmission and distribution) 70%; |
|
| Research Types | Applied Research and Development 100% | |
| Science and Technology Fields | PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Computer Science and Informatics) 50%; ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Electrical and Electronic Engineering) 50%; |
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| 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 December 2017 | |
| End Date | 01 December 2019 | |
| Duration | ENA months | |
| Total Grant Value | £480,000 | |
| Industrial Sectors | Power | |
| Region | Scotland | |
| Programme | Network Innovation Allowance | |
| Investigators | Principal Investigator | Project Contact , SP Energy Networks (100.000%) |
| Industrial Collaborator | Project Contact , SP Energy Networks (0.000%) |
|
| Web Site | https://smarter.energynetworks.org/projects/NIA_SPEN_0026 |
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| Objectives | This project will aim to investigate the feasibility of utilising the benefits of Narrow Band (NB) IoT communication and low cost low sensors to automatically gather good quality data from Link Boxes easily and cheaply, and remove some of requirement to carry out manual inspections.This new technology means it will now be possible to deploy monitoring and control solutions in areas where it has previously not been feasible due to insufficient cellular coverage (underground or in certain buildings), insufficient battery life and uneconomical cost. Recent advances in hardware and software technology together with NB-IoT mean all of these challenges can now be overcome.Through the application of NB-IoT technology it will be possible to deliver a modular solution comprising multiple sensors, a long life battery and a NB-IoT modem which will address a wide variety of use cases for equipment in hard to reach areas, including: -a. Temperature (for example, to be used in detecting failure of Link Boxes)b. Light (for example, to detect when a man hole cover is lifted)c. Power measurement (for example, to help detect abnormal fluctuations)d. Motion detection (for example, to detect rodents)e. Moisture (for example, to detect floods)f. Smoke (for example, to detect fire)This Proof of Concept (PoC) investigation will install monitoring devices on a limited range of linkboxes to establish whether the communication solution can provide a cost effective solution. A wider scale trail may follow depending on the success or otherwise of this PoC.As part of this PoC, we will also trial a more conventional communications method and sensor system to allow a comprehensive comparison between the two solutions. This will require a wide rollout of the solutions and a longer period of monitoring and data gathering to prove each solution. Project stages To enable this proof of concept trail the following three stages are proposed:- Stage 1: Development of low power sensor and communication- Stage 2: Installation- Stage 3: Monitoring and reportingStage 1: Development: Two key areas have been identified. Firstly the development of a sensor to collect key asset condition information, and secondly ensuring that communications can be made to enable the transfer of data.Sensor development it has been identified that temperature is one of the key indicators of the condition and therefore will form the basis of this proof of concept. The development process will identify the ideal location to install the sensor on a variety of types and ages of link-boxes. This will ensure the sensor is fit for purpose and will not pose an increased risk to the effective operation of the asset or to employees or other stakeholders.Communication some limited lab testing has already been completed- however testing to ensure that communication can pass from the link-boxes will be established, and the locations will be identified based on the IoT infrastructure currently being rolled out by VodafoneStage 2: Installation: The installation of the units will be covered in two stages.Limited rollout to 25 link-boxes to prove the communication work as required. This will allow an initial assessment of the design and installation procedures and inform stage 2.This stage will involve the installation on monitors on up 100 sites to enable a longer term evaluation of the system.Stage 3: Monitoring and Reporting This stage will look at three aspects [1 | |
| Abstract | Project stages To enable this proof of concept trail the following three stages are proposed:- Stage 1: Development of low power sensor and communication- Stage 2: Installation- Stage 3: Monitoring and reportingStage 1: Development: Two key areas have been identified. Firstly the development of a sensor to collect key asset condition information, and secondly ensuring that communications can be made to enable the transfer of data.Sensor development it has been identified that temperature is one of the key indicators of the condition and therefore will form the basis of this proof of concept. The development process will identify the ideal location to install the sensor on a variety of types and ages of link-boxes. This will ensure the sensor is fit for purpose and will not pose an increased risk to the effective operation of the asset or to employees or other stakeholders.Communication some limited lab testing has already been completed- however testing to ensure that communication can pass from the link-boxes will be established, and the locations will be identified based on the IoT infrastructure currently being rolled out by VodafoneStage 2: Installation: The installation of the units will be covered in two stages.Limited rollout to 25 link-boxes to prove the communication work as required. This will allow an initial assessment of the design and installation procedures and inform stage 2.This stage will involve the installation on monitors on up 100 sites to enable a longer term evaluation of the system. Stage 3: Monitoring and Reporting This stage will look at three aspects [1 | |
| Publications | (none) |
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| Final Report | (none) |
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| Added to Database | 15/12/22 | |
