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Projects: Projects for Investigator
Reference Number	NIA_UKPN0040
Title	Transformer Care
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 UK Power Networks
Award Type	Network Innovation Allowance
Funding Source	Ofgem
Start Date	01 August 2018
End Date	01 September 2021
Duration	ENA months
Total Grant Value	£218,393
Industrial Sectors	Power
Region	London
Programme	Network Innovation Allowance
Investigators	Principal Investigator	Project Contact , UK Power Networks (100.000%)
	Industrial Collaborator	Project Contact , UK Power Networks (0.000%)
Web Site	https://smarter.energynetworks.org/projects/NIA_UKPN0040
Objectives	Enging are a specialist manufacturer of condition monitoring equipment and has developed a new non-invasive type of condition monitoring equipment which involves taking measurements from CTs (current transformers) and VTs (Voltage transformers) on the HV and LV side of a transformer and feeding this into a self-learning algorithm. The algorithm will pick up any small changes in current and voltage that are outside the normal operating range of a transformer. The software will also identify any losses within the transformer besides those expected. This technology can also be used to predict future faults occurring within the transformer/tap changer this is due to small variations in voltage and current before they become significantly large to cause a transformer fault. The solution therefore extends the life of the asset by switching the asset out through providing alarms to control engineers and allowing a repair to be carried out before the fault develops to an irreparable level.As most of UK Power Networks sites do not have VTs on the incomer/HV side of the transformer, it is not possible to gain the incoming voltage reading. Enging has, however, developed a solution that will take measurements from the outgoing LV side and measurements from the tap position reading to feed into the software as a way around the issue to establish the voltage on the HV side of the transformer.The main activities involved in this project are:-Installation of the proposed innovative monitoring equipment on site. -Monitoring of the performance of the equipment installed and analysing the variances in current and voltage to predict faults January 2021 change summary:The project duration is extended by nine months to enable sufficient trial data to be collected during the trial period. The additional time will allow the existing challenges in facilitating an internet connection in the trial site to be resolved. This will enable access to the powerful algorithm which will provide valuable insights at the end of the project. The project will trial new monitoring equipment developed by Enging and establish its suitability for condition monitoring of transformers. Deliverables: The scope of work consists of:- Selection of suitable trial site which currently hosts traditional monitoring equipment- Installation of the new equipment at the selected site- Calibration of the monitoring equipment to ensure accuracy- Assessment of the equipment performance during the trial to establish the benefits to DNOs, both technically and financially - Comparison of the results of the new equipment against the traditional monitoring equipment Deliverables:-To establish if the new technology is a comparable alternative to existing technologies and can be used as a BAU application. If this solution can provide similar results of condition monitoring when compared with traditional monitoring the solution will be more viable as the cost of the solution and ease of installation is a lot cheaper. - To establish if the technology can detect faults before existing condition-monitoring equipment can detect them.
Abstract	UK Power Networks has an aging transformer population. 61% of all grid and primary transformers are over 50 years old, which is close to the average expected lifetime of a typical transformer. As per standard practice, the lifecycle of such assets would generally be extended via a combination of close monitoring of asset health and refurbishment. Currently, close monitoring is done through oil samples and periodic external inspections which provides an indication of transformer condition but not a definitive assessment of its condition and expected faults.With the proposed further investment in online condition monitoring solutions through current and voltage variance monitoring faults can be predicted in advance and transformers can be maintained prior to fault occurrence. Several methods and products for condition monitoring are currently available in the market; however, most involve invasive probes. Traditional monitoring equipment requires invasive probes to be submerged in the oil to be able to work. This requires the oil in the transformer to be lowered/drained this therefore disturbs the core and requires a longer outage on the transformer. In addition to being relatively more intrusive, the traditional method implementation costs are significantly higher than our innovative solution.
Publications	(none)
Final Report	(none)
Added to Database	15/12/22