go to top scroll for more

Projects: Projects for Investigator
Reference Number	NIA_NGET0195
Title	EPRI Research Collaboration on Substations 2016 (P37)
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 October 2016
End Date	01 April 2017
Duration	6 months
Total Grant Value	£1,215,139
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_NGET0195
Objectives	The objectives for 2016 include the continuation of National Grid’s membership with EPRI P37 and the delivery of value, a selection of reports and guidance documents associated with the three work-streams. P37. 101 - Transformer Life Management objectives for 20161. Transformer On-line Monitoring Technologies This project will continue to develop and execute test protocols to scientifically understand online monitoring systems. The test protocols will cover a three tier test approach. The research will allow further understanding of the technologies and their capabilities and help maximise the diagnostic value. 2. Novel Sensor Development The objective of this work package is to start to deploy into substations the specialised sensor hardware that was developed in the laboratory to provide insights into transformer health that are not obtainable using traditional techniques or provide a step increase in robustness or a step decrease in overall costs. 3. EPRI Power Transformer Guidebook Development and maintenance of a comprehensive transformer reference book that includes all aspects of transformer operation, maintenance, procurement and life-cycle management, is complete and will be kept up-dated at regular intervals. It is written from the perspective of a utility engineer and addresses all phases of a transformer. 4. Improved accuracy of transformer remaining life estimation There is a possibility that using the estimation method proposed may produce useable results without the detailed knowledge of the transformer oil history. The resulting guidelines may help request a set of specific analyses from laboratories and interpret the results with improved accuracy. 5. Transformer life extension By the end of the demonstration, the objective of this work is to have a robust, continuous online filtration of moisture using membrane technologies and which requires minimal maintenance. If successful it will offer the potential to significantly extended life of the transformer. The research has completed a year of field tests with the first prototype. Improvements have been incorporated into a new V2 prototype. 6. Transformer forensics - linking diagnostics and maintenance with true internal condition The objective is to develop a forensics library providing members with new insights into likely end-of-life scenarios for the increasing population of aging transformers. Equally importantly, the library aims to help assess how effective the diagnostic tools are in predicting the true internal condition of the transformer. In 2016 the objective will be to extend the library further with specific focus on transformers that were heavily monitored prior to retirement. 7. Transformer ratings Continue the development of a Transmission Rating Workstation (TWR) tool to provide and industry-standards-based methodology for rating transformers. P37. 108 - SF6 Management and Gas Insulated Substations objectives for 2016The intent of this project is to help users of SF6 circuit breakers and gas insulated substations through research and development of methods and processes to reduce maintenance costs, minimise degradation of equipment, minimise the risk of equipment failure, and minimise the potential for SF6 emissions by applying new technologies and improving GIS and GIL equipment life-cycle management. GIS and GIL equipment research and development focuses on developing methods, technologies, and support documentation to help utilities make prudent asset management decisions. These decisions are necessary to minimize GIS and GIL equipment life-cycle costs and maximise equipment performance within an acceptable risk level. P37. 111 - Risk Based Substation Equipment Asset Management objectives for 2016This project conducts research with the goal of providing continually improved risk-based decision-support methodologies for substation equipment asset managers. It envisions that the developments will lead to an integrated framework for asset risk assessment, mitigation, and performance improvement. Developments in risk-based fleet management are addressed through the following tasks: Asset characterisation and performance information (also known as asset registries): Data models for the following substation equipment will be developed and documented in a technical report: Transformers, Circuit Breakers, Relays, Arresters, CCVT, Substation Batteries and Ground Grid. Industry wide equipment performance and failure database and analytics: Under this task EPRI will deliver version 2. 0 of web based Transmission & Substation Industry wide Database. Under this task EPRI will also deliver a technical report that documents analytical approach, key findings and case studies from the analysis of industry-wide transformer data. Asset health algorithms and software: New versions of software tools for circuit breakers and transformers were delivered in 2015. In 2016 the circuit breaker and transformer software packages will be updated with new algorithms and features. In addition, a methodology for assessing disconnect switches, CCVTs and relays will also be delivered. Substation equipment asset management and maintenance practices: A technical report using web based survey will be developed and delivered. Over 25 US and International members will be surveyed. The focus is on learning about present asset management and maintenance approaches and sharing lessons learned with the industry. Topics include - transformers, circuit breakers, disconnect switches, SF6 leaks, infra-red inspections, ground grid and corrosion. Triggers and alarms for maintenance actions: In 2016 a technical report documenting triggers and alarms to help with maintenance actions for circuit breakers, transformers, station insulators and CCVTs will be developed and delivered. The triggers and alarms documented in the report use data from online sensors/monitors and can be implemented in an enterprise wide asset health system such as NG’s Strategic Asset Management (SAM). Evaluation of DGA Analytics: A report evaluating the performance of EPRI developed analytics with other publicly available approaches will be delivered. Different approaches (including EPRI’s analytics) are evaluated and their performance measured using blind test approach. Asset management guidelines: A technical report providing guidelines to utility asset managers on how to implement asset management program using enablers provided by EPRI research. Asset management workshop: Annual conference to assist technology transfer. Continuing to expand National Grid’s knowledge and deliver value to our stakeholders, participation in P37 during 2016 means the provision of a range of specific outputs across the three project work-streams. P37. 101 - The anticipated outputs for Transformer Life Management in 2016 include: DGA Research on new markers: Research to discover new markers in transformer oil tobetter assess transformer risk of failure. Technical report documenting research methodology, underlying approach, 2016 tests and results. Novel sensors development: Technical Report documenting progress on research on optical technologies to provide non-contact diagnosis of energised bushings. Copper Book (also known as Power Transformer Guidebook): updated comprehensive guidebook on transformer life management. Improved remaining life assessment: methodology on how to better assess transformer remaining life. Robotics for transformer internal inspection: Detailed internal transformer inspection without lowering oil. Forensics Library: A shared database on how diagnostic predictions aligned with actual condition TRW (Transmission Ratings Workstation): An updated software tool for rating all components on a utility circuit. P37. 108 - The anticipated outputs for SF6 Management and Gas Insulated Substations in 2016 include: Live filling technical report outlining progress made to date on small and full scale laboratory testing. Updated presentation to EPRI members at the Transmission Task Force meeting in Albany New York in July 2016 and the European task force meeting in December 2016. P37. 111 - The anticipated outputs for Risk Based Substation Equipment Asset Management in 2016 include: Power Transformer Expert System version 3. 0Circuit Breaker Fleet Management Software version 3. 0Initial release of the Condition Monitoring and Implementation Database (Software)Industry wide Transmission and Performance Database, web based software version 2. 0Vintage Guide Development, bushings technical report CCVT Asset Management Analytics, methodology development technical report Disconnect Switch Asset Management Analytics, methodology development technical report Protection Asset Management Analytics Development Methodology, 2016 status update report Substation Equipment Asset Registries: Transformers, Circuit Breakers, Relays, CCVTs, Arresters, Batteries and Ground Grid technical report Evaluation of DGA Analytics technical report Substation Equipment Asset Management and Maintenance Practices technical report Transformer Industrywide Database, key findings and case studies technical report Triggers and Alarms for Specific Maintenance Actions technical report
Abstract	National Grid recognises that the challenges faced by the electricity industry can be more efficiently and cost-effectively addressed when approached through international collaboration initiatives. It is particularly useful when addressing challenges where the solutions require statistically diverse data sets and/or significant trialling and testing in different environments, under various conditions and/or diverse ways. The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), with its wide international membership, is one of the routes through which these initiatives can be delivered, thereby maximising stakeholder value. The approach of managing collaborative projects within an internationally driven research and development initiative is beneficial to National Grid and consumers alike, because it provides valuable information, learning and knowledge that would be considerably more expensive if approached on an individual basis. This project aims to address issues associated with three elements of substation plant: Transformer life management, will address key issues including transformer diagnostics, condition and ageing assessments and life extensionSF6 management and Gas Insulated Substations (GIS) aims to help reduce maintenance costs and uncertainties, minimize SF6 emissions through the application of new technology, and improve life-cycle management Risk based equipment asset management that conducts research with the goal of providing continually improved risk-based decision-support methodologies for substation equipment asset managers. Following a benchmarking exercise in 2015, National Grid determined that within EPRIs Substations Programme 37 (P37) the largest leverage for the UK consumer can be achieved through involvement in specific areas of research; transformers (P37. 101), SF6 (P37. 108), and asset management (P37. 111). The three areas have work-streams that span across multiple years. Consequently, this project will benefit National Grid and our stakeholders by continuing to deliver the valuable research and development activities of P37 into 2016. P37. 101 - Transformer Life Management The transformer project is looking at seven themes to improve the knowledge and methodology for managing transformer assets. These will be delivered through: Collating worldwide knowledge and experience Researching and developing new technologies with academic organisations and research institutes - and deploying the recent successes in the laboratory in field trials in substations Computer modelling of scenarios and risk Substation trials of technologies Understanding root-cause of failure and ageing mechanisms through forensic studies Developing software algorithms and comparing them with models and case-studies. P37. 108 - SF6 Management and Gas Insulated Substations The SF6 research project is looking at several themes delivered through different routes in 2016: Research into SF6 leak sealing and detection technologies Full-sized testing at the EPRI Charlotte Laboratory Scaled laboratory testing. P37. 111 - Risk Based Substation Equipment Asset Management This project conducts research with the goal of providing continually improved risk-based decision-support methodologies for substation equipment asset managers. It envisions that the developments will lead to an integrated framework for asset risk assessment, mitigation, and performance improvement. Developments in risk-based fleet management are addressed through: Asset characterization and performance information (also known as asset registries)Industry wide equipment performance and failure database and analytics Asset health algorithms and software Evaluation of dissolved gas in oil analysis (DGOA) analytics Triggers/alarms for maintenance actions Substation equipment asset management and maintenance practices.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	14/08/18