Power outages are a frequent problem in Russia, with one of the main reasons being flashovers of high-voltage insulators in overhead power lines. These flashovers occur due to surface contamination and reduced flashover characteristics of the insulators. In addition to causing failures, these flashovers also result in high costs for emergency repair works. As a result, the Energy Center, represented by Associate Professor of the Practice Dmitry Titov and Research Engineer Klim Volkhov, conducted research to develop a technology for risk-oriented management of insulation.
The technology developed by the Yuzhnouralsky Insulators and Fittings Plant, a leading manufacturer of high-voltage insulators, is now in pilot operation in the power lines of the Rosseti Moscow power company. The research conducted by Titov and Volkhov was published in the proceedings of the 2023 International Conference on Industrial Engineering, Applications, and Manufacturing, which was published by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.
One of the major challenges in insulator maintenance is the difficulty of determining the state of insulators and the level of their contamination. Currently, insulators are either replaced after the expiry of their operation or based on subjective assessments by power company employees. To address this issue, the researchers developed a hardware and software platform with sensors and data processing tools that help make the assessment process more objective and reduce insulator maintenance costs.
Experimental Approach
The research involved two types of experiments: laboratory experiments and field measurements. The laboratory experiments utilized high-voltage equipment to simulate different states of insulators, such as contamination, moisture, and changes in the number or types of insulators. Portable oscilloscopes were used to identify the characteristics of the insulators in these different states.
Field measurements were conducted at various power grid facilities, including the Dagestan Republic, Volgograd, Tula regions, and Moscow. Data on leakage currents in insulators were collected and processed to establish a dataset for analysis. Through oscillogram analysis, the authors identified the 20 most significant parameters for the model development. From these parameters, they selected the ones that best reflected the state of the insulators.
The Importance of Sensor Development
Based on the identified parameters, the development and application of sensors that can measure these parameters can play a crucial role in accident prevention in power lines. By continuously monitoring the state of insulators, potential issues can be identified and addressed before they lead to failures or outages.
Improvements in Hardware and Software Platform
The research team conducted several stages of field testing, which allowed them to refine their hardware and software platform. Unlike traditional approaches that focus on individual insulators, their platform aims to assess the state of the entire insulation in a power grid region. This holistic approach adds significant value to the technology. In recognition of their achievements, the team was among the winners of the ‘Energoproriyv (Energy Breakthrough)’ competition, which honors the best smart energy solutions.
The Future of the Technology
The success of the project has led to its inclusion in the research and development program of the Rosseti Moscow power company. As the technology continues to be refined and tested, it is expected that the company will be able to implement it without any restrictions in the future. This groundbreaking technology is currently unparalleled, with no other versions of the product in the world boasting such a successful commercialization experience.
The research conducted by Associate Professor Dmitry Titov and Research Engineer Klim Volkhov has brought about significant advancements in insulator assessment technology. By developing a hardware and software platform with sensors and data processing tools, the team has made the assessment process more objective, reducing insulator maintenance costs and minimizing the occurrence of power outages. The successful commercialization of this technology positions the Rosseti Moscow power company at the forefront of smart energy solutions.
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