STAR Position

Objective(s)

This project involves an expansion to the trial that has taken place during the Pre-Fix project to detect and locate HV faults on OHL networks. The Pre-Fix project has tested and refined a new method to help accelerate fault location on OHL networks. While some benefits have been shown, an expanded trial on another area of the NGED network is needed to show that the benefits estimated can be delivered on different areas of the network.

The project will also ensure that we can put in place all organisational design and operational processes required for a full roll-out of the pre-fix solution. Standard techniques and policies will be refined from the Pre-fix project.

Method(s)

WP0 - Project management and trial design/delivery& product development

This work package will design the trials and manage the pre-requisites for installation and tracking of the benefits.

It will also cover the ongoing management of the Common Disturbance Information Platform (C-DIP) including development and deployment of new features.

WP1 - Hardware Installation

This work package will manage the hardware installation and commissioning of devices at the sites selected for the expanded trial of the Pre-Fix solution.

We will build on and update installation and commissioning guidance documentation that was developed during the Pre-Fix innovation project. Taking learning from the innovation project, the installations will follow the mark II method for installation of the HV pre-fix ready devices. This method will be fully outlined and subsequently approved by NGED’s policy team for use on the trial and for any future roll-out of the technology.

There will be 19 new sites (17 in South Wales and 2 in South West) where the Pre-Fix hardware will be installed using the mark II method and 6 existing sites in the South West from the Pre-Fix innovation project which will have their installation adapted to the mark II method.

WP2 - Operational Technology and Enablers

There are a number of operational technology requirements and enablers that were identified during the Pre-Fix project. These will need to be addressed to ensure that the Pre-Fix solution can be fully rolled out. These include:

•  Installation and Commissioning App
• Fault reporting App
• Real time switch statuses linked to the C-DIP to reflect network topology in real time.
• Link between the C-DIP and ADMS to provide real time insights to the Control Room

WP3 - Operational and Organisational Methods

This work package will focus on the development of a standard operational process for working with post fault location methods and a standard operational process for working with OHL and Cable pre-fault locations and warnings. This will build on the approach used within the Pre-Fix innovation project but refine and clearly document all standard operational processes required for the expanded trial and full BaU rollout of the pre-fix solution. Training will also be provided to all teams within NGED that will use the C-DIP.

WP4 – Trial

The project trial will be 1 year in duration starting from when all sites have had hardware installed and outputs can be obtained from the C-DIP. During this time there will be regular analysis of the data obtained from the trial sites.

• Scope

  NGED have recently developed a completely new method, as part of the Pre-Fix project, which can help accelerate fault location on OHL and also warn of potential OHL faults.

  This capability for OHL interventions has been shown to be beneficial, for example, during one 9-week period, £67k of avoided IIS opportunity was revealed from the four primaries that faulted, within a total population of 6 primary substations centred on Dartmoor. However, whilst the methodology is proving accurate, we have not yet demonstrated that the methodology can scale.

  However, before mass roll out occurs, there are several questions that need to be addressed

  • The technical method needs to demonstrate that the benefits can be replicated elsewhere.
  • Operational process and organisational design and an expanded trial is required to ensure that we can harvest the maximum viable amount of benefits presented by the technology.
  • Assumptions about volumes of hardware to deliver optimum benefit should be refined in step with organisational design.
  • A roadmap is required towards IT&D enablers like a controlled impedance model. The project will likely have to develop intermediate scaling solutions.
• Success Critieria
  • Policy Documentation delivered and approved for device installation, system use and results analysis processes.
  • Dashboards and operational processes delivered for both Pre-Fault and Post Fault Use cases.
  • Installations complete for 25 trial sites with device installation methodology developed during the Pre-Fix project
  • Benefits tracking complete for the 25 trial sites. Show that projected benefits can be delivered. Learning regarding missed opportunities will be gathered and acted upon.
  • All required C-DIP features for full roll-out of Pre-Fix solution in place on NGED iHost.
  • Integration of iHost C-DIP outputs into user friendly formats to enable roll-out of Pre-Fix solution. This will include the interface between post-fault outputs and ADMS as well as pre-fault anomaly dashboards.
  • Full roadmap in place for all required future development of C-DIP and integration into NGED systems.
• Potential for New Learning

  Key learning on the project will be:

  • Optimum installation method for various sites and switchgear type.
  • How to most effectively use Overhead line Pre-Fault and Post Fault information
  • That the Pre-Fix solution can be utilised in different locations/geographies.