Utility Week

UTILITY WEEK | SEPTEMBER 2021 | 35 so as to form a clear view of the correct intervention to perform. But it's not just the net zero context that is piling pres- sure on DNO's to rethink their approach to investment in LV monitoring and the granularity of information they need from these parts of their networks. Regulatory fac- tors too should be driving an appetite for change. According to analysis of industry data carried out by Kelvatek in the UK, up to 50 per cent of faults at LV level are permanent ones that cannot be remedied by a fuse alone in the „ rst instance. Given this, the current reactive approach to fault response could be causing DNOs to sig- ni„ cantly underperform against their potential in terms of regulatory measures for Customer Interruptions (CIs) and Customer Minutes Lost (CMLs). A more predictive capability could help deliver a step-change in the quality of supply and allow networks to access outperformance rewards. With these factors to take into account, a reconsid- eration of the business case for widespread and sophisti- cated LV monitoring is timely. In a new report created by Utility Week in association with power network technol- ogy specialist Kelvatek, How to Drive Multiple Layers of Value Through LV Network Monitoring, some of the invest- ment strategies open to distribution DNOs are set out. For example, we explore the relative merits of high pen- etration investment approaches, using relatively low-cost monitoring devices that track load growth and diversity, versus more holistic, higher-cost solutions that can track both load and fault dynamics over time. Alongside these observations, we highlight the capa- bilities now available in leading LV monitoring solutions, thanks to the incorporation of sophisticated edge- computing, AI and machine learning technologies. For example, Kelvatek's PRESence solution combines these technologies to o" er DNOs a highly con„ gurable plat- form that can be moulded to suit a number of use cases and adapt to changing circumstances on the network. It is also highly predictive, with the capability not only to detect faults ahead of time but also to sense faults as they develop, pro„ le the likely period of time to fuse rup- ture and even classify if that fuse blow is likely to lead to a burnout or require an emergency excavation. All of this capability is possible thanks to the diligent accumulation and analysis of industry data, including: • Over 20 million hours of load data from monitored circuits; • More than one million fault events from live, real world networks; • Over 20 million fault events from Kelvatek's unique LV test centre. With pressure on DNOs to guarantee LV network reli- ability and resilience through the energy transition, the availability of advanced LV monitoring technologies can no longer be ignored or sidelined as non- essential investment. Jane Gray, content director Download the report free from Utility Week's website to • nd out more about the bene• ts available to your business.a in association with A checklist of capabilities A sophisticated LV network monitoring platform with con gurable and predictive capabilities should be able to help DNOs with: • Network health monitoring: By capturing elements of network health beyond voltage and current data. These include: power factor; phase imbalance data; system frequency; and total harmonic distortion (THD). This data helps identify potential overload situations caused by EVs or increased distributed generation, such as solar panel deployment. This in turn allows DNOs to decide on the most e„ ective form of remedial action at a network level. • Cable health indexing: High resolution, high frequency data capture combined with advanced analytics can allow network operators to identify and measure key parameters used to detect faults on feeder networks. Sophisticated algorithms can then process these parameters to create a 'health index' for each cable on the system. Again, this helps operators plan ahead when it comes to asset replacement strategies. • Predictive fault location: Data captured via an advanced monitoring solution like Kelvatek's PRESense can be used in algorithms to predict the distance to either a fault or pre-fault activity well in advance of the point where the fault is noticed by an end user. • Smart metering data: By combining data from an advanced LV network monitoring solution with smart metering data, DNOs can generate insights into neutral condition assessment, power restoration, feeder connectivity and phase connectivity. "A more powerful monitoring solution will enable DNOs to act based on accurate predictions of where and what type of faults will occur and how long it will be before fuses rupture." Jim McRea, product manager, Kelvatek In association with U T I L I T Y W E E K E X P L A I N S : How to drive multiple layers of value through LV network monitoring In this report: Low voltage monitoring and the energy transition Options for LV monitoring Advances in LV monitoring Reaping benefits from LV intelligence Download the report Download the report How to Drive Multiple Layers of Value Through LV Monitoring free at: https://utilityweek.co.uk/lv-network- monitoring-time-for-a-rethink/

• Cover