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Reference Number	NIA_NGET0073
Title	Partial discharge monitoring of DC cable (DCPD)
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
Award Type	Network Innovation Allowance
Funding Source	Ofgem
Start Date	01 November 2012
End Date	01 February 2014
Duration	15 months
Total Grant Value	£150,000
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_NGET0073
Objectives	The objective of this project is to investigate and develop a method for monitoring partial discharge (PD) activity in mass impregnated (MI) HVDC cable. The outputs will enhance National Grid’s understanding of high power HVDC cable and facilitate the development of improved Technical Specifications. The test method developed should be sufficiently effective and efficient to allow its deployment within the constraints of a commercial Type Test programme. This project is successful if knowledge is established on which we can base test procedures on, ahead of HVDC cable installation.
Abstract	Partial detection (PD) detection in DC systems is significantly more difficult than in AC systems because (i) the discharge repetition rate is far lower and (ii) there is no alternating voltage to which the discharge activity is synchronised. It is therefore difficult to distinguish between PD activity and random background noise. National Grid’s Technical Specifications require mass impregnated cable to be tested to the internationally accepted CIGRE test procedures. As the operating voltages of DC cables increase, cable manufacturers are progressively taking the view that the CIGRE test voltages are too severe and unless the test voltage is reduced (particularly during the cooling phase of heat cycling) there is an unacceptably high risk of the cable failing the type test. In order to achieve type registration of these cables it will be necessary for National Grid to consider relaxing the test voltage. There is no published basis to justify this reduction and it is difficult to assess the risk of accepting cable systems which cannot meet the CIGRE requirements. There is a possible mitigation strategy based on applying condition monitoring techniques during type testing so that the test is not reliant on simple withstand criteria. When a MI HVDC cable fails the heat cycle type test it is likely to be the result of accumulated partial discharge (PD) damage. Hence PD monitoring appears to be the most appropriate option to investigate. Research The method that has been proposed for this project includes; Literature survey of DCPD testing of cable systems Commission MIND DC cable test rig Interim report on DCPD tests Preliminary report on implementation strategies Final Report.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	17/09/18