Electricity Industry Problem Statements
January 2012
ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION
Networks - Software
• Robust modelling tools to understand network impacts from Distributed Generation (PV, Heat Pumps, etc.)
Networks - Electronics
• Real time monitoring of harmonics/ voltage
• A low cost low loss technologies for managing 3rd harmonics in secondary network distribution transformers
• A voltage inverter with no harmonics and voltage management
• Extremely low cost device to regulate voltage at a secondary transformer, ideally that can be retrofitted on existing plant
• Device for identifying which phase a property is connected to without requiring access to live terminals at either the house or the local network
• Low cost device that can regulate a resistive load variably without generating harmonics and with low losses
• The ability to prolong the life of batteries. Network operators increasingly use low power battery backup for control systems which are currently sealed cell batteries. These only last 6 – 8 years and therefore with increased dependence on these with increased network monitoring battery failure and replacement is going be an ever increasing task that the network operators would like to minimise if possible
Networks - Civil/Mechanical
• In the future, network operators will be increasingly need to mount hardware such as power connectors, power electronics or energy storage in locations such as in pavement mount cubicles. They are seeking cabinet designs that are traffic proof and able to withstand the impact of a car without allowing causing electric shock risks from internal components.
• How to create an oven that uses waste/stored energy from previous use instead of real time energy
• A fridge or freezer with enough thermal inertia to last 18 hours
• A 3kWh energy storage system with a cost of less than £500/kW (including inverter)
Overhead Lines- Electronics
• Technology / device to self regulate OHL conductors to enable the network operator to operate its asset at higher temperatures and still maintain safety clearances (e.g. trees)
• How to remotely monitor the clearance of a pole mounted conductor to the ground without a site visit, allowing for conductor movement or ground movement
• Robotics systems capable of working on overhead lines and avoiding need for shutdowns in particular on Tower lines
• A self powering inspection device that can autonomously crawl along overhead cables
• Device that can allow the testing for wood rot high up on a wooden electricity pole
• Device that can test and quantify rot in wooden poles below ground level without the need for excavation
• Device that can monitor the level of stress applied to a metal tower/pylon support during normal service relative to its condition (like a strain gauge monitor?)
Overhead Lines - Civil/Mechanical
• Anti climb / theft devices for poles in high risk situations – high risk areas such as schools etc
• Device that gives residual strength to the top of a utility pole and below the surface of the ground without climbing or digging
• A method of reinforcing the outer edged of commercial tree plantations in proximity to critical infrastructure and overhead lines to prevent trees at the edge falling onto lines etc in the wind
Underground cables - Electronics
• The ability to monitor cable / soil temperatures and allow network operators to run our cables hotter without materially affecting the condition of the cable (i.e. no accelerated deterioration of the condition of the cable)
• The tagging of assets in the ground (joint tags)
• The ability to monitor the deterioration of cables (not just partial discharge deterioration)
• A technology for remotely locating damage to underground cables where the damage isn't in contact with soil or other surrounding materials
Underground Cables - Civil/Mechanical
• Alternative (ideally low cost ) back fill material for around underground cables to improve thermal conductivity. A key challenge for network operators is to maximize the rating of cables – this is essentially thermal gradient issue across the sheath soil boundary. If the cable was backfilled in the immediate vicinity with a highly conductive backfill (e.g. water) then the cooling and hence rating would be improved and there would be a reduction in cost per KW of rating.
Substations - Electronics
• The ability to increase the rating of grid and primary transformers with no deterioration of the asset – need to ensure that the tap changer is also taken into account in any new ratings
• High Voltage current sensors for retro fitting in dry switch gear cable boxes.
LOW CARBON
• Ability to create electricity with >50% efficiency from hot water with a delta T of less than 40 degrees
• Any system that stores energy in its or near to its final form of use, Heat, cooling, Light, Kinetic energy, ventilation
For further information please contact
Mark Thompson
Tel.: 0151 347 2355 or 07930 474015
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
