Enhanced Management and Performance for a Sustainable UK Energy Infrastructure

Completed

Other Power and Storage Technologies(Electric power conversion)
Other Power and Storage Technologies(Electricity transmission and distribution)

Basic and strategic applied research

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Electrical and Electronic Engineering)
ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering)

Not Cross-cutting

Professor S Swingler
Electronics and Computer Science
University of Southampton

Standard

EPSRC

01 February 2006

31 October 2010

57 months

£2,484,941

Energy

South East

Energy : Energy

Professor S Swingler, Electronics and Computer Science, University of Southampton

Professor JW Bialek, Engineering, Durham University
Dr G Chen, Electronics and Computer Science, University of Southampton
Prof I Cotton, Electrical & Electronic Engineering, University of Manchester
Professor P Crossley, Electrical & Electronic Engineering, University of Manchester
Dr B Fox, Electronics, Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, Queen's University Belfast
Dr JY Goulermas, Electrical Engineering and Electronics, University of Liverpool
Professor GP Harrison, Energy Systems, University of Edinburgh
Dr MD Judd, Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University of Strathclyde
Dr P Lewin, Electronics and Computer Science, University of Southampton
Dr T Littler, Electronics, Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, Queen's University Belfast
Dr S McArthur, Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University of Strathclyde
Professor J McDonald, Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University of Strathclyde
Dr SM Rowland, Electrical & Electronic Engineering, University of Manchester
Dr JW Spencer, Electrical Engineering and Electronics, University of Liverpool
Dr A Vaughan, Electronics and Computer Science, University of Southampton
Professor R Wallace, Energy Systems, University of Edinburgh
Dr Z Wang, Electrical & Electronic Engineering, University of Manchester
Dr JD Yan, Electrical Engineering and Electronics, University of Liverpool

Project Contact, Western Power Distribution
Project Contact, Scottish and Southern Energy plc
Project Contact, National Grid plc
Project Contact, SP Power Systems Limited
Project Contact, United Utilities PLC
Project Contact, Advantica Ltd
Project Contact, EDF Energy

Electricity transmission and distribution companies in the UK face serious challenges in continuing to provide high reliability from ageing networks. This is made more difficult by increasing economic and environmental pressures. The problems will become worse as the operating conditions of the networks are changed, to allow for the production of more electricity from renewable sources.To meet this challenge, network owners and operators need better knowledge of plant ageing and improved techniques to monitor its condition.As power is generated in different locations, so the pattern of current flow through the network changes. This alters the temperature of plant items (like transformers, overhead lines and underground cables), which make up the network. Other changes in operating conditions, such as when switches are operated, will affect the stresses seen by plant. We will investigate the effect of the new operating demands on individual items of plant in order to predict their effect on the reliability of the network.We will also investigate some innovative techniques for monitoring plant condition. These will range from techniques which give a general indication of the health of an entire substation, down to those which give detailed information on a specific item of plant. The work will look at new sensors, data capture, data management and data interpretation.Network owners and operators also need improved methods of protecting and controlling the network.Newsoftware tools will help them plan replacements as parts of the network wear out. Our work will help get the most power through the ageing network and allow owners to invest in new or replacement plant in a cost-effective way. All this has to be done while maintaining or improving the security of supply and taking into account interactions between gas and electricity networks. Software tools will be developed to calculate the optimum size and location of new generating plant and to calculatethe cost that should be charged to transport electricity from a particular location.Finally, research into electrical plant with reduced environmental impact will allow the use of environmentally friendly replacements. There are three main aspects to this work: exploring methods of reducing the use of SF6 (a greenhouse gas), examining techniques for transmitting more power down existing lines and investigating methods of reducing environmental impacts (for example, oil leaks) from undergroundcable.EPSRC has assembled a team of six universities, which have the skills needed to tackle these challenges. These universities have worked closely with major electric utilities and equipment manufacturers to prepare this proposal. The industrial partners will provide a valuable contribution, both through funding and also by supplying their technical expertise and guidance.Our work will benefit electricity utilities, which will spend less on maintenance and get more for their moneywhen buyingnew plant. Consumers will gain through improved reliability of their electricity supply. UK manufacturers will be able to exploit the new condition monitoring and diagnostic techniques. Society in general will benefit through reductions in environmental impact

01/01/07