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Projects: Projects for Investigator
Reference Number	NIA_NGET0210
Title	EPRI Research Collaboration on Substations (P37) 2017 - 2020
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 January 2017
End Date	01 April 2021
Duration	51 months
Total Grant Value	£23,800,000
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_NGET0210
Objectives	The objectives over the next four years include the delivery of a selection of reports and guidance documents associated with the three work-streams. P37. 101 - Transformer Life Management Transformer on-line monitoring technologies Technology approaches to on-line gas analysis will continue from previous years of research, the scope will be extended to include the length of sampling lines and the temperatures of the environment as, through the previous studies and testing they have been found to be influential in the success of the techniques Novel sensor development Research new sensors for assessing the condition of a transformer. The scope will be extended to include technologies used within other industries for gasses such as methane EPRI power transformer guidebook Develop improved knowledge in the area of technological advances. The development of the guidebook is built upon, year on year Improved accuracy of transformer remaining life estimation Continue to research the dynamic behaviour of new chemical markers in oil and whether it has the potential for improving transformer life estimates Transformer life extension Continue to research life extension and seek to quantify potential cost savings of any new technology so that it can be accurately benchmarked Transformer forensics - linking diagnostics and maintenance with true internal condition Continue to examine retired or failed transformers and relate the evidence to both historic transformer operations and diagnostics data Transformer ratings Continue to develop EPRI’s rating enhancement software (PTLoad) which will be integrated into the Transmission Ratings Workstation (TRW) to move towards facilitating common transmission rating practices across equipment boundariesP37. 108 - SF6 Management and Gas Insulated Substations The intent of this programme is to help users of SF6 circuit breakers and gas insulated substations through research and development of methods and processes to reduce maintenance costs. It will also help to 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 minimise GIS and GIL equipment life-cycle costs and maximise equipment performance within an acceptable risk level. P37. 111 - Risk based substation equipment asset management This programme conducts research with the goal of providing continually improved risk-based decision-support methodologies for substation equipment asset managers. It envisages 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: Continued development for transformers, circuit breakers, relays, surge arresters, capacitor voltage transformer (CCVT), substation batteries and ground grid Industry wide equipment performance and failure database and analytics: Continued development of the database to include failure and performance data Asset health algorithms and software: Continued development of the software tools and algorithms within Power Transformer Expert (PTX)Substation equipment asset management guidelines: Continued development of the asset management and maintenance practice guidelines Triggers and alarms for maintenance actions: Continued development of the algorithms to ensure that international standards and guidelines are followed Evaluation of DGA analytics: Continued development of the performance assessments as new data is becoming available Asset management guidelines: Continued development to include the incorporation of additional case studies in order to enhance the guidelines 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 the next four years will provide access to rolling updates on the three project work-streams. P37. 101 -Transformer life management: Transformer on-line monitoring technologies Technology approaches to on-line gas analysis will continue from previous years of research. The scope will be extended to include the length of sampling lines and the temperatures of the environment as through the previous studies and testing they have been found to be influential in the success of the techniques. Novel sensor development Research new sensors for assessing the condition of a transformer; the scope will be extended to include technologies used within other industries for gasses such as methane EPRI power transformer guidebook Develop improved knowledge in the area of technological advances. The development of the guidebook is built upon, year on year. The updated guidebook will be published during 2017Improved accuracy of transformer remaining life estimation Continued research into the dynamic behaviour of new chemical markers in oil and whether it has the potential for improving transformer life estimates Transformer life extension Research life extension and will also seek to quantify potential cost savings of any new technology so that it can be accurately benchmarked Transformer forensics - linking diagnostics and maintenance with true internal condition Examination of retired or failed transformers relating the evidence found to both historic transformer operations and diagnostics data Transformer ratings Develop EPRI’s rating enhancement software (PTLoad) which will be integrated into the Transmission Ratings Workstation (TRW) to move towards facilitating common transmission rating practices across equipment boundariesP37. 108 - SF6 Management and Gas Insulated Substations: Development of the 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 managementP37. 111 - Risk Based Substation Equipment Asset Management: Asset characterisation and performance information: Continued development of asset registries for transformers, circuit breakers, relays, surge arresters, CCVT, substation batteries and ground grid Industry wide equipment performance and failure database and analytics: Continued development of the database to include failure and performance data Asset health algorithms and software: Continued development of the software tools and algorithms within Power Transformer Expert (PTX)Substation equipment asset management and maintenance practices: Continued development of the asset management and maintenance practices to include an assessment into end of asset life Triggers and alarms for maintenance actions: Continued development of the algorithms to ensure that international standards and guidelines are followed Evaluation of DGA analytics: Continued development of the performance assessments as new data is becoming available Asset management guidelines: Continued development to include the incorporation of additional case studies in order to enhance the guidelines Asset management workshop: Annual conference to assist technology transfer
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 continue to address issues associated with three elements of substation plant: Transformer life management, this will address key issues including transformer diagnostics, condition and ageing assessments and life extensionSF6 management and Gas Insulated Substations (GIS); this 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 2016, National Grid determined that within EPRI’s Substations Programme 37 (P37) the largest leverage for the UK consumer can be achieved through involvement in specific projects; transformers (P37. 101), SF6 (P37. 108), and asset management (P37. 111). The three areas have work-streams that span across multiple years. Consequently, this NIA Project will benefit National Grid and our stakeholders by continuing to deliver the valuable research and development activities of P37 over the four year period of our involvement. P37. 101 - Transformer Life Management The transformer project is looking at a number of different themes to improve the knowledge and methodology for managing transformer assets. Over the four years these will be delivered through: Collating worldwide knowledge and experience Researching and developing new technologies with academic organisations and research institutes - and deploying laboratory successes in field trials within substations Computer modelling of scenarios and risk Substation trials of technologies Understanding root-causes 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 a number of themes which will be delivered through different routes over the next four years, which: 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 envisages that the developments will lead to an integrated framework for asset risk assessment, mitigation, and performance improvement. Developments in risk-based fleet management over the next two years will be addressed through these areas: Asset characterisation and performance information Industry wide equipment performance and failure database and analytics Asset health algorithms and software Evaluation of dissolved gas in oil analysis analytics Triggers/alarms for intervention actions Substation equipment asset management guidelinesNote : 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