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Reference Number	NIA_NGET0149
Title	Investigation of Aeolian Insulator Noise
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 May 2014
End Date	01 January 2015
Duration	8 months
Total Grant Value	£71,500
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_NGET0149
Objectives	Development of a revised type test and an associated reduction in future noise complaints The success criteria for the project will be: -There are several steps to this work and success criteria for each are given below: Report from Manchester University regarding the theory of Aeolian and resonance mechanisms in insulators Successful completion and erection of the insulator test rig Successful replication of Aeolian generated noise in controlled wind tunnel environment Update to relevant policies and procedures to define new test regime for type registration
Abstract	National Grid uses a range of insulator types on its overhead line transmission network, Insulators can be made of glass, porcelain or polymeric materials, each potentially to a number of designs and specifications. In recent years there has been a preference to install glass insulators as these are readily recyclable at end-of-life. Under certain wind conditions overhead line insulator strings may resonate resulting in an audible tonal noise. This has resulted in a number of complaints in recent years, most commonly from people living near overhead line routes refurbished with glass insulators. The issue is to be fully investigated through wind tunnel testing of known "problem" and "non problem" insulators. The wind tunnel at MIRA is one of the few in the world capable of testing full scale structures and a special rig will be adapted to take heavy strings of up to 20 insulators drawn from across National Grid. The method will be to vary wind speed and insulator string angle at 0. 5° increments and listen for audible tones. Specialist noise monitoring and recording equipment will be set up to record objective results, and investigations will be carried out to determine the exact source of each tone as far a reasonably practical. Manchester University will be engaged to model the theory of Aeolian mechanisms on insulators which will support and inform the MIRA testing and also help interpret the results. The outputs of the R&D will be to devise a revised and improved testing procedure for insulators and to embed this into insulator procurement and design processes, and most importantly to feedback findings to select most appropriate solution(s) (i.e. informed insulator replacement) for existing lines with wind noise problems.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	21/08/18