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Projects: Projects for Investigator
Reference Number	NIA_NPG_007
Title	FORESIGHT - LV pre-fault recognition and management
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 Northern Powergrid
Award Type	Network Innovation Allowance
Funding Source	Ofgem
Start Date	01 October 2015
End Date	01 October 2018
Duration	36 months
Total Grant Value	£3,999,000
Industrial Sectors	Power
Region	Yorkshire & Humberside
Programme	Network Innovation Allowance
Investigators	Principal Investigator	Project Contact , Northern Powergrid (100.000%)
Web Site	http://www.smarternetworks.org/project/NIA_NPG_007
Objectives	Primary project objectives of the project include:* Detection and location of developing faults, enabling remedial works to be carried out as part of a planned programme of work before faults develop into loss of supply events. * Demonstration of the use of a network of low cost sensing devices and associated communications. * Development of a strategy and protocol for detection and location of incipient faults on the LV cable network. * Generation of knowledge relating to the evolution of LV cable defects into supply interrupting faults using a method which minimises the impact on customers. * Development and testing of novel techniques with the potential to deliver a significant decrease in DNO CMLs and CIs originating from LV cable faults. * Demonstration that low cost sensing devices combined with LV Reclosing devices deliver significant performance improvements. * Investigate the effect of network reconfiguration options to optimise load and losses on the efficacy of the pre-fault detection method. * Identify and disseminate conclusions that relate to the LV cable network management that are applicable to all GB LV networks. For this project to be considered a success, we intend to progress through the project objectives listed above and deliver each. We will consider progress, and the likelihood of success, at each project stage. Whilst completion of all objectives is the ultimate goal, success may also be achieved by halting the project at an intermediate milestone, if we believe the technology development is unlikely to deliver the anticipated benefits. Dissemination of the all learning developed, regardless of the project endpoint, is a key element of success.
Abstract	As a result of mature cable designs installed over the last 50 years, LV faults management in both Northern Powergrid licence areas is becoming increasingly difficult. Restoration times can be lengthy, as the majority of the LV network is not monitored or controlled automatically. One of the key challenges is the current inability to assess the condition of LV cable systems and to predict the timing and location of faults. For LV networks, identification of a cost effective means to predict timing and location of faults in the underground LV cable asset, which in turn would lead to a better performance in restoration or the avoidance of a faulted cable situation in the first place is the ultimate objective. Traditionally LV cable replacement has been driven by the reliability history of cable sections and this project offers us the opportunity to radically change that strategy to incorporate condition based information to guide replacement decisions. This is a programme of work that will develop and test a low cost sensing system which will enable DNOs to monitor LV networks, identify developing LV faults, then to locate the position of defects which will develop into LV faults before supply interruptions occur. The programme of work includes a trial with the aim of verifying the efficacy of the system, identifying any practical "Business as Usual" issues associated with wide-spread deployment of the system and to identify associated costs. we will: Deploy Alvin Reclosers and link box switches to monitor and control selected LV feeders Identify and categorise pre-fault signature waveforms for LV cables Deploy prototype low cost sensor devices which incorporate pre-fault recognition algorithms based on the pre-fault signatures which are identified in this project. (These sensors will be developed by EA Technology in parallel to this project)Develop and perfect pre-fault location devices and techniques. These will be a development based on existing LV TDR equipment and techniques which are used to locate LV cable faults. Install low cost sensor devices in LV substations, deploy LV pre-fault location equipment to fault teams and trial the management of LV cable faults by intervening before supplies are interrupted by faults. Produce draft equipment specifications and network operating procedure documents to enable transfer into business as usual the management of LV cable faults by intervening before supplies are interrupted by faults. Draw conclusions for LV fault and pre fault management approaches that are applicable to all LV networks This approach offers the prospect of avoiding a large proportion of unplanned interruptions to customer supplies.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	14/08/18