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Projects: Projects for Investigator
Reference Number	NIA2_NGET0044
Title	Improving the determination of safety and induced effects in earthing systems
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) 100%
UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation	Not Cross-cutting 100%
Principal Investigator	Project Contact No email address given National Grid Electricity Transmission
Award Type	Network Innovation Allowance
Funding Source	Ofgem
Start Date	01 September 2023
End Date	31 March 2026
Duration	ENA months
Total Grant Value	£775,000
Industrial Sectors	Power
Region	London
Programme	Network Innovation Allowance
Investigators	Principal Investigator	Project Contact , National Grid Electricity Transmission (100.000%)
	Industrial Collaborator	Project Contact , National Grid Electricity Transmission (0.000%)
Web Site	https://smarter.energynetworks.org/projects/NIA2_NGET0044
Objectives	In this project, we propose to examine the most recent computational and measurements techniques as well as the enhancement material to improve earthing systems performance. In addition, we will examine the earthing performance and induced effects of the T-Pylons and associated lines. This project aims to develop technical underpinning knowledge on the earthing performance and induced effects of the T-pylons. It will focus on developing safety instructions for energised T-pylon lines with a suitable condition monitoring system. The project will focus on the applicability of the latest earthing techniques and critically assess their suitability to give asset managers the information required for safe operation of T-pylon lines on the transmission network. The project will be delivered in five parts: (1) T-pylon lines performance assessment which will investigate earthing of T-pylons, T-pylon earthing measurements, induced effects on T-pylon overhead lines, and measurement of induced current on T-pylon lines. (2) Analysis of earthing systems and comparative evaluations using experimental and computational techniques exploring evaluation of software and comparative computations and comparative measurements. (3) Evaluation of enhanced materials for earthing systems with focus on material properties, experimental applications for earthing systems and evaluation of Conducrete performance on practical earthing systems. (4) Investigation of capacitive coupling effects within transmission substation environments while exploring induced capacitive voltages on floating plant and modelling approach for induced capacitive voltages in substation environments. (5) Conditions monitoring of earthing systems and feasibility of condition monitoring for earthing systems. With successful investigations, computational and experimental results, the trials at energised lines will be conducted. New T-pylon lines are energised in the Southwest of England, generating operational data available for earthing, this project will develop a greater understanding of the T-pylons earthing requirements. It will underpin efforts to develop safer requirements for T-pylons and determine the working conditions with one line energised through coupling studies. The benefit of these studies, where this is possible, is to achieve reliable asset management to reduce safety concerns and therefore risk of unplanned outages. The latest computational technology will be explored which break the monopoly of CDEGS software which is the only option available for earthing studies nowadays. Soil and clay are currently used as earthing material backfill and can be replaced by a conducting concrete which will provide low resistance path to fault current. "The work will be delivered in discrete work packages each with a focus on different objectives linked to the overall aim to develop deeper understanding of the earthing performance of newly energised T-pylon lines. Report on characterisation of earthing system performance for T-PylonsReport on earthing measurements at T-Pylon locationsReport on computation induced voltages and currents on T-Pylon linesReport on measurements of induced currents on T-Pylon linesReport on comparative evaluation of earthing softwareReport on comparative evaluation of computed earthing parameters vs measurements on various earth electrodesReport on characteristics of low resistive materials under various environmental conditionsReport on experimentalresults using earth electrode using ConducreteReport on evaluation of Conducrete impact on practical earthing systemsReport on computation of capacitively coupled voltages onto floating plant in substationsModel for estimating capacitively induced voltages on floating metallic objects in substationsReport on practical condition monitoring of earthing systemsFinal report and dissemination event "
Abstract	This project aims to examine three different problems associated with the earthing of the T-pylon assets. The project will investigate the earthing performance of innovative T-pylons and the induced effects of the T-pylons and the associated energised lines. Induced voltages and induced currents will be measured and compared with the computational results to establish recommendations on earthing and induced effects. In addition, the project will examine the most recent computational (XGSLab) and measurement techniques to compare the computations with the existing techniques (CDEGs). Comparative computations of software will be conducted under variable frequency and transient currents will be injected into ground. Conducrete will also be explored to improve the earthing performance. Such low resistance materials will reduce the earth impedance and materials will act as an enlarged earth electrode size increasing the ability to dissipate more earth fault currents.
Publications	(none)
Final Report	(none)
Added to Database	18/10/23