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NETWORK / 15 / MARCH 2020 own digital twins: as a contrac- tor, Casey says that it already produces BIM Level models of new energy infrastructure assets; and that clients – par- ticularly in the US, where there is substantial investment in network upgrade programmes – are also starting to design-in IoT sensors for long-term insight. "The network companies are on a journey to install sensors, to help them understand two- way power ‚ ows from electric vehicles, or renewable genera- tion, then tying that data back to the system model. But, in the UK, I don't think we have the scale of the wholesale system upgrades that they have in the US, so I don't think the UK industry has matured to that level," he suggests. However, he also raises the issue of the need for clear de‡ ni- tions. "We need to design and model the system digitally from the outset, then the data that lies behind the sensors needs to be connected to the model, so you have a ‰D model with data attributes – but is that a digital twin? The de‡ nition of a digital twin is diŒ erent according to who you ask, so any government initiative that looks to create continuity and de‡ nition is important and positive." Timeline to involvement The CDBB's ‡ rst step was to publish nine 'Gemini Principles', enshrining the idea that digital twins should be driven by social purpose: to decarbonise, save resources and improve social outcomes. On "" March, it will publish a dra• information man- agement framework, developed by the Digital Framework Task Group of construction leaders and academics, to help organisa- tions to share and format infor- mation in order to establish and connect their own digital twins. Then on ‰" March, the CDBB will launch the Digital Twin Hub, an online meeting place for organisations that want to shape the initiative from the outset: Heathrow Airport, Highways England, HS and Anglian Water are already members. "It's an online enabled community of early adopters that can progress faster and discuss technical ap- proaches to create better value. As we go into the next phase, we will test these ideas in real world settings," says Burnett. Burnett says there have been "preliminary talks" with energy network companies, and they are welcome to join the hub programme. "Electricity and gas networks can come in to shape the standards and approach and learn from other people with digital strategies – the more we can bring stakeholders together at the beginning, the better the end-product will be. We hope the gas and electricity networks will come forward if they're interested in participating in the National Digital Twin Pro- gramme, it's a community they should be part of." However, Casey notes that energy networks are not cur- rently incentivised to participate, and currently have their eyes on diŒ erent targets. "The DNOs are still under massive cost pressure, and they also have a lot of bosses and masters – the regulators, the shareholders, the customers, and sometimes they are all at odds." On a personal level, he says he would want the programme to have "more direc- tion" before committing the time to get involved. Burnett acknowledges that participation won't have an immediate impact. "This is a long-term programme. Our role is to support those who are early adopters and support what's happening in the future now – they can use the Gemini Principles and champion good practices in the here-and-now, to help with data strategies." But Casey believes a shi• is underway, and the destination will be worth it. "As we transi- tion from where we are today… to enable the bene‡ ts of smart cities, we will need cross-asset, cross-infrastructure models. Stacking multiple data sets allows you to make better invest- ment decisions. It's an easy statement to make, but it takes a lot of work to get to that stage." Designed specifi cally for carrying out fast non-invasive online partial discharge (PD) surveys in MV and HV substations, Megger's new UHF Partial Discharge Detector measures PD activity at frequencies above those of common disturbances. This allows it to deliver accurate and dependable results for a wide range of assets, including cable-end terminations, surge arrestors, voltage transformers and isolators. The compact, handheld instrument features a large colour touchscreen for easy operation and has dual- channel capability that allows direct comparison of the results obtained from two types of UHF sensor or from two phases. It is compatible with a wide range of sensors and, in addition to its primary UHF functionality it can also be used to perform RF PD measurements. High bandwidth operation at UHF, in conjunction with phase resolved partial discharge (PRPD) pattern display facilities enable the new instrument to discriminate between different types of defect. This is an important benefi t as it means, for example, that corona and surface discharges can be readily distinguished from dangerous internal partial discharge events that suggest a need for immediate further investigation. As standard, the Megger UHF Partial Discharge Detector is supplied with a dipole antenna for UHF surveying. Inductive (HFCT) and capacitive (TEV) sensors for making measurements on MV cables and switchgear are available as optional extras. A UHF PD coupling sensor can also be supplied, so the instrument can be used to carry out detailed and precise measurements on HV components such as terminations. As an additional benefi t, this sensor is suitable for systems rated at up to 500 kV. I N D U S T RY I N S I G H T Fast non-invasive PD surveying for substations DIGITALISATION