dave hughes uk session 6 – block 2 – presentation barcelona 12-15 may 2003 ea technology 1 a...

1Dave Hughes UK Session 6 – Block 2 – Presentation

Barcelona 12-15 May 2003 ea technology

A Programme for Effective Research into Substation Plant Condition

Dave Hughes (UK) Session 6 - Block 2

EA Technology



Strategic Technology Programme

• Providing research, without infringing commercial or competitive concerns

• DNOs collaborate to tackle technical and business problems of mutual interest

• STP programme is developed in response to business needs and is not "technology led

• Outstanding feature is free flow of information and has contributed to success of the programme



Distribution substation plant

• Concentrated on maintenance/replacement strategies for substation plant and equipment

• Fundamental studies to understand the degradation and failure processes of the plant and equipment

• This knowledge exploited to provide techniques, devices, tools and strategies that provide technical solutions and business benefits to members



Successes to Date

• Shorter-term projects, targeted at specific problem areas, have brought immediate benefits

• Interrelated projects in a theme area to provide a continuing thread of projects leading to innovation for long term improvements



Oil Switch Headspace Gas• STP rapidly developed a device for headspace gas testing

to deal with a pressing operational problem

• Gave immediate and significant safety, operational and monetary benefits



Oil Degradation Monitoring by Headspace Gas Testing

• Concept being extended to establish a non-invasive method of determining oil condition at all stages of degradation via the headspace gas

• Should provide substantial benefits by providing a non-invasive condition-based approach to maintenance strategy



Oil Sampling

• Fundamental studies by STP established that the condition of oil in 11kV switchgear is the critical factor in determining the need for maintenance

• Concept of oil sampling as a viable means of determining the optimum maintenance frequency

• Allowed DNOs to implement significant changes to the maintenance strategies and policies for oil switchgear, resulting in considerable cost savings



Live Tank Oil Sampling

• Provided impetus for development of techniques for live tank oil sampling now being used in UK



STP Programme for Substation Plant

• Over 80 projects undertaken to date • “Hard” issues

– Plant and equipment studies

• “Soft” issues – Strategy and policy, plant data management, etc.

• Many new proposals in the pipeline for consideration in the future work programme.



Summary• STP programme can be recommended as a proven

model for providing research. • Collaboration on problems of mutual interest,

without infringing commercial competitive concerns• Member companies do require positive return on

their investment

• Programme has run for 6 years & is continuing is testament to fact that it has provided that return.

dave hughes uk session 6 – block 2 – presentation barcelona 12-15 may 2003 ea technology 1 a...

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