Identification and Mitigation of Large Equipment Transport Issues

Completed

Other Power and Storage Technologies(Electricity transmission and distribution)

Applied Research and Development

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (General Engineering and Mineral & Mining Engineering)

Not Cross-cutting

Project Contact
National Grid Electricity Transmission

Network Innovation Allowance

Ofgem

01 January 2014

01 January 2015

14 months

£65,000

Power

London

Network Innovation Allowance

Project Contact, National Grid Electricity Transmission

Assess risks associated with the location / routes used by Abnormal loads. Critically review sites and assets to categorise into traffic light vulnerability bands. Develop a methodology for ensuring information on transformer movements is accessible. Develop the design criteria for a system which can be tailored to ensure all NG assets can reach all NG sites. Increase the options available to deal with abnormal loads. Production of a traffic light based risk assessment for transport to sites Production of action plans to address the traffic light constraints Production of design criteria document for a trailer that meets the needs of National Grid when transporting large assets.

It is becoming increasingly difficult to obtain an authorised access and egress route to Transmission substation sites for the delivery of transformers to site, and the redistribution of strategic spares. Constraints imposed to reduce axle weights mean with existing trailers an increase in dimensions is caused, which then introduces negotiability constraint issues. Current delivery costs for large assets such a Transformers, range from £150,000 to £900,000+ depending on the delivery site and complexity of movement. Access may not appear to be an issue at the start of a scheme, but due to the evolving nature of large construction projects, become apparent later on. National Grid are looking at altering Transformer designs, however the specification for electrical performance must take priority over the physical specifications, due to the nature of the network. National Grid requires the flexibility to move assets when required, rather than being constrained on the availability of the routes and trailers. This project aims to investigate the feasibility of redesigning a trailer and give NG the capability to move assets on demand in an easier manner, with fewer restrictions. This may have a knock on impact on the consumer, who should benefit from less disruption caused by assets being moved. Research & Development This project will take a stage gated approach to this problem. Only stage 1 is currently being funded. Stage 1: This is a desktop assessment of current site constraints, to be used in developing design criteria and feasibility of design of trailer and transformer. The target of the studies is to develop the design criteria for a system which can be tailored to ensure any of our assets can be transported to any of our sites. Stage 2: This will innovatively re-design a trailer in order to meet increased flexibility requirementsNote : Project Documents may be available via the ENA Smarter Networks Portal using the Website link above

31/08/18