Case Study
Real Time Fault Level Monitoring
Key benefits/themes:
Customer & Environmental | Health & Safety | Financial
The Challenge
Managing network fault level, the highest amount of current that could flow in an electrical system under short circuit or fault conditions, is one of the major network planning challenges faced by distribution network operators (DNOs).
Network assets are designed to specific fault level ratings that must not be exceeded in fault conditions to avoid catastrophic failure of those assets. During fault incidents, the fault current can be very high, sometimes 15 - 20 times more than normal operating levels of current. Therefore, ensuring that the fault level remains within the asset rating is essential for protecting assets, security of supply and personnel.
In the drive to meet the 2050 Net Zero targets, there is an unprecedented demand on DNOs to offer customers low cost and timely connections of low carbon technologies (LCTs). However an increase in distributed generation connecting to the network will cause the fault level to fluctuate and increase. The only way to increase headroom between the projected fault level and design limits of the network is via traditional network reinforcement, but this is expensive and time consuming. Hence, innovative approaches are also needed to safely maximise the utilisation of existing network capacity prior to any network reinforcement being undertaken.
Conversely, if the fault level is substantially below the protection settings, the network becomes vulnerable to power quality issues. In the worst-case scenario, this could render the network unsafe, as the fault current could be too low for the protection system to operate effectively.
It's therefore crucial for the DNOs to have the ability to monitor and manage fault levels for the safe and efficient management of the electricity network.
The Solution
The Real Time Fault Level Monitor (RTFLM) is a compact cubicle, installed in substations, that calculates fault level by measuring very small changes in voltage, in response to precisely controlled electronically switched loads.
The fault level data can then be transmitted through a DNOs supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system to the relevant network control centres in real time. This allows DNOs to actively manage the network based on accurate faut level measurements, instead of offline model determined values.
Accurate identification of available network capacity through the RTFLM will potentially allow the DNOs to connect higher volumes of renewable generation, while spending less on upgrading network infrastructure.
The RTFLM is the first of it's kind, and this project represents the first time that fault level has been successfully measured in real time at electricity distribution voltage levels (demonstrated at 6.3kV up to 36.4kV inclusive to date).
John Outram, Managing Director
Outram Research
"We are coming to the end of the NIA phase of the (RTFLM) project with SPEN and UKPN. We're grateful for the EIC's support in holding the project together, rendering the the bureaucratic path easy and generally caring about us and the success of the project.
"We look forward to a continuing relationship as we move to business as usual. Thank you EIC."
Project Partners
SME innovator Outram Research is delivering the project, which is now in phase 2. This phase builds upon the learnings from phase 1, initiated in 2017 with the exclusive support of SP Energy Networks (SPEN). Development activities in phase 1 progressed the solution from TRL 3 to 7.
Phase 2 is being delivered with the support of SPEN and UK Power Networks (UKPN), to both broaden the trials base and advance the technology to TRL 8. The availability of network innovation allowance (NIA), over the two project phases, has assisted the DNOs in validating the capabilities of the RTFLM device to detect changes in network fault levels accurately. It's estimated that deploying the technology could result in savings of £42m over the RIIO-ED2 period.
Third-party test facilities, Power Networks Demonstration Centre (PNDC), Eurofins Scientific, VEIKI in Hungary and KEMA Laboratories in Netherlands were employed over the course of the project to validate the performance of the device and ensure compliance with relevant standards. With the support of Threepwood Consulting, key documentation has also been drafted.
Following discussions with Outram Research, SPEN also requested that EIC coordinate project activities. The EIC has worked to support all parties to move quickly through project scoping and legal contract agreement, in accordance with NIA framework. The EIC has also remained involved in supporting the project team to ensure successful delivery on time and budget.
The Project
Phase 1 of the project successfully demonstrated a proof-of-concept design to measure fault level in real time, for example changes in network fault levels were registered within a number of seconds. It also validated the device's capability to operate on an interconnected network configuration.
As part of phase 2, extended network trials have been performed across multiple network configurations and substation designs. Various controlled tests have been completed successfully at third-party test facilities.
SPEN and UKPN are intending to trial eight and six devices respectively across their licence areas. So far SPEN has fully deployed three of eight trial devices, two of which are switched on for continuous monitoring. Work is now being focused on transitioning the device from a working prototype to a device ready for business as usual deployment.
The Impact
Customer & Environmental
Greater visibility of network fault levels will enable increased renewable generation connections at lower costs, supporting the transition to net zero.
Health & Safety
Improved visibility of network areas not previously known to be close to or exceeding fault level limits allows preventative interventions.
Environmental
Reductions in carbon emissions by accelerating decarbonisation of the utility transport fleets
The Project
Live field trials demonstrated various benefits for network partners, including reduced operational expenditure (OPEX). One trial conducted on a sample section of the gas distribution network in the north of England demonstrated that LeakVISION reduced the overall time required to locate and repair multiple gas escapes, minimising disruption to customers.
As part of the SIF funded project, a trial was completed in a live hydrogen pipeline to assess the device’s functionality and its capability to safely detect leaks. The trial proved successful, providing confirmation that both the deployment and retrieval approach for the device are secure.
- The successful implementation of a live thermal imaging robotic system within an operational gas distribution network.
- The system potentially could identify specific ‘areas of interest’ that require remediation.
- The system has future capability to guide more agile asset investment decisions.
- A robotic device that uses a heating element to warm-up flowing gas, in a live distribution network, safely and without incident.
- Identification of design improvements for field operations.
The Impact
Customer Service
Minimised disruptions from excavations to assess pipes in difficult to reach places.
Societal
Reductions in the number of excavations and faster repair times.
Environmental
Reductions in the volume of gas vented to the atmosphere during complex-to-locate gas escapes.
Operational
A reduced number of excavations will lead to improved safety and will result in fewer injuries to operatives.
The Project
The aim of StreetScore Phase 2 project was to improve the accessibility and experience of street works for customers in vulnerable situations and the wider public. The focus was on prototyping and validating concepts that could minimise disruptions experienced during street works, before potentially undertaking further developmental and testing activities that facilitates the transition to Business as Usual (BAU) deployment(s).
Workshops were also held to facilitate active engagement between network operators and key stakeholders, such as community groups, charities and advocacy groups. These sessions allowed network operators to develop a greater understanding of the challenges faced by customers in vulnerable situations and provided valuable insights into how customers adapt their behaviours and lifestyle around street works. The feedback gathered has also helped to inform the shortlisting of potential prototypes and concepts for future development.
The Impact
Customers
Improvements in accessibility and safety around street works, particularly for customers in vulnerable situations.
Community engagement
Improved engagement between network operators and third parties like community groups and charities.
Health and safety
Potential to reduce the number of incidents for customers when navigating street works. Learnings from the project have also enabled recommendations for changes or updates to existing regulations.
Financial
Improved guidance in working around street works thus reducing instances of fines for networks.
The Impact
Customers
Improvements in accessibility and safety around street works, particularly for customers in vulnerable situations.
Community engagement
Improved engagement between network operators and third parties like community groups and charities.
Health and safety
Potential to reduce the number of incidents for customers when navigating street works.
Financial
Improved guidance in working around street works thus reducing instances of fines for networks.
Next steps
The solution is applicable to distribution network operators (DNOs), with potential application at transmission level. Plans are underway to extend the project to include trials at higher voltages and focus on developing protocols for transmitting live fault level data to the network control rooms. Additionally, dissemination to the industry is now key and wider roll out is expected once the DNOs have thoroughly assessed the learnings from the project. The real time data provided could also support the transition from DNOs to distribution system operators (DSO).
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