Projects
Projects: Projects for Investigator |
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| Reference Number | NIA_NGET0034 | |
| Title | Fibre-optic Acoustic Monitoring | |
| 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 National Grid Electricity Transmission |
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| Award Type | Network Innovation Allowance | |
| Funding Source | Ofgem | |
| Start Date | 01 September 2012 | |
| End Date | 01 May 2015 | |
| Duration | 32 months | |
| Total Grant Value | £450,000 | |
| Industrial Sectors | Power | |
| Region | London | |
| Programme | Network Innovation Allowance | |
| Investigators | Principal Investigator | Project Contact , National Grid Electricity Transmission (100.000%) |
| Web Site | http://www.smarternetworks.org/project/NIA_NGET0034 |
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| Objectives | The key objective for this project are: -o Understand the benefits of monitoring National Grid site and assets acoustically using fibre optics. Undertake trials of current acoustic fibre technologies and evaluate their usefulness within National Grid. Investigate possible future applications of current acoustic fibre technologies. Investigate future acoustic technologies. Collaborate with domestic and overseas companies with similar interests in acoustic sensing using fibre optics. Derive strategy for further R&D or application going forward This project will be successful if we either prove the use of Acoustic monitoring on National Grid Electricity Transmission assets, or if we understand the reasons why it has not worked. | |
| Abstract | Our industry is facing new challenges ranging from an ageing fleet, to new suppliers and new methodologies on maintenance and operation. The optic fibre has the potential to deliver a cost effective embedded sensor that may have a design life more aligned to the asset. This technology has the potential to utilise a single sensor with multi-dimensional functionality. This project is to evaluate its capability and constraints to minimise risk while optimising new technology within National Grid’s specification to optimise costs. The potential system would address issues of: Safetyo A substation completely monitored by this system would be able to monitor lone workers and the location of personnel on site with respect to hazard zones. Fitting an overhead line route with an acoustic monitoring system would give visibility of personnel climbing the towers. Particularly useful when re-energising the line. When monitoring a cable tunnel, the location of personnel could be ascertained even in the event of a fire and ensure that they are evacuating in the correct direction. ; Fault detection. Transformers - Acoustic fibre can be used to detect partial discharge as well as mal- operating tapchangers. A tapchanger failure, if disruptive, can scrap the entire transformer and detecting the issue early could result in a saving of over £4m in replacement and scrapping costs. It could also assist in the detection of ferroresonance. Protection relays - By applying an interferometry system and operating a relay, contact bounce/degradation and slow operation may be detected. Preventing even a single maloperation of a protection relay each year would protect National Grid’s reputation may prevent loss of supply and potentially extend asset life when followed up with maintenance. It could also prevent early replacement of protection systems which for a single feeder bay cost around £300k. Fault diagnosis. When used alongside other monitoring systems, acoustic monitoring could be used to help ascertain the cause of a fault. Continual Condition Monitoring. While monitoring an asset such as a circuit breaker or transformer, an acoustic fibre system can produce data that can be trended to prevent disruptive faults or extend maintenance periods potentially saving both replacement and constraint costs. o Examples include timing the operation of tapchangers, monitoring changes of noise in transformers or changes in the sound of operation of a circuit breaker. Research This project proposes the following method: Initial evaluation and recommendations on the use of fibre-optics to monitor assets including but not limited to transformers, circuit breakers, OHLs and cables. To be completed before trials and based on expert opinion and advice. Optilan and OptasenseTrial of acoustic fibre system within Bolney substation using the existing sensor installation and extending with additional fibre. Liverpool University Development of an acoustic limpet device able to be installed on and monitor an asset without outage or infringing safety distances. As this technology has not been used much by National Grid, other uses and potential trials may come to light during the course of the project. Feasibility studies and trials of these uses will be carried out.Note : Project Documents may be available via the ENA Smarter Networks Portal using the Website link above | |
| Publications | (none) |
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| Final Report | (none) |
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| Added to Database | 14/08/18 | |
