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NETWORK / 25 / APRIL 2017 the infrastructure to cope. Networks across the country are having to find new ways of making more out of that existing infrastructure. In order to enable that, assets will have to be better understood. Fortunately, technological developments in areas such as robotics, sensors and detection are helping to make that possible. One area where big steps forward are already being taken is in low-voltage networks. Thanks to their scale, little has been done in the past to understand to any great degree what goes on in these networks. However, with a series of technological developments in smart network gadgets, operators can gather much larger amounts of data. Smarter ways to manage assets One project that is leading the way in this area is Electricity North West's (ENW's) Smart Street project, an ambitious initiative that combines sensors and monitoring technology with real time analytics to maximise the efficiency of network operations. The £11.5 million project is funded through Ofgem's Low Carbon Networks Fund. A number of smart switches and circuit breakers have been attached to the company's existing LV infrastructure, enabling close monitoring of demand. The aim of the project is to use this real-time data as operational data, so operations can be optimised to meet the demands being placed on the network, rather than simply setting general parameters. Attaching the WEEZAP low- voltage vacuum circuit breaker and LYNX low-voltage switch – both of which were developed by Northern Irish tech company Kelvatek – to its existing network lets ENW capture real- time data from the network and manage it to match demand. With this enhanced understanding and control, operators can quickly release capacity and voltage headroom to connect distributed generation such as domestic heat pumps or solar panels, which are set to become increasingly important as networks continue to decarbonise. Throughout the four-year project, Electricity North West expects that it will be able to release unused capacity up to four times faster than before – and 40% cheaper. Furthermore, by using the data to optimise voltage levels to match customer appliances, it expects to reduce energy demand by 3.5% and cut network losses by 2%. Outlining the project, Electricity North West said: "Smart Street will demonstrate a step change in the co-ordination and integrated operation of distribution networks in Great Britain. Utilising the most advanced technology today for LV network management, Smart Street challenges current operational practices and demonstrates how to optimise HV and LV networks in real time." New data brings new opportunities In a similar move to maximise the efficiency of its LV network, Northern Powergrid is investing £14 million in smart technology in a bid to drastically reduce the impact of power cuts. As part of the investment package, the network is installing a series of BIDOYNG smart fuses throughout its network. Comprising two separate fuses, the devices can restore power a¤er a cut within three minutes, with the second fuse automatically switching a¤er the first is tripped. Crucially though, the technology sends data back to the control centre to enable the fault to be pinpointed without a series of costly and time-consuming excavations to determine the location. "This is a significant investment in state-of-the-art technology that works behind the scenes on our network for our customers," says Mick Hickling, head of the West Yorkshire zone at Northern Powergrid. "It delivers real benefits, getting the lights on within three minutes for people who've had a power cut caused by an intermittent fault, and helps us find low-voltage network faults and maintain our network more effectively and efficiently." Making the GRAID Advances in sensors and monitoring technology may be enabling networks to gather previously unknown data on low-voltage networks, but developments in robotics are opening up opportunities in asset inspection. At National Grid Gas Transmission, Project GRAID is developing a bespoke robot that can withstand pressures far higher than those endured by submarines and travel through the complex pipelines of high-pressure gas installations. Through an assortment of devices that enable it to record and monitor the condition of the pipes, the robot will send real-time data about wall thickness and pipe integrity back to the control centre. Developed in partnership with robotics specialist Synthotech, GPS mapping experts Premtech and data analysis firm Pipeline Integrity Engineers, the project will enable National Grid to move from a predictive modelling technique that forecasts when maintenance will be required to actually inspecting the asset itself, saving about £60 million over 20 years. "Project GRAID gives an insight into the critical importance and value of asset data, allowing a truly holistic approach to asset management," explains Kirsty McDermott, project engineer at National Grid and Gary Senior, principal consultant at Pipeline Integrity Engineers. "The The projecTs • smart street Under Electricity North West's £11.5 million project, smart switches and circuit breakers have been fitted throughout the company's low-voltage network, enabling it to capture real-time data and match demand. • Bidoyng Northern Powergrid has installed smart fuses its network that can restore power after a power cut within three minutes. An added benefit of the £14 million scheme is that data is sent back to the control centre, pinpointing the fault. • project grAid Rather than predicting the condition of National Grid's high- pressure gas network, a robot will travel along the pipes, sending back information about wall thickness and pipe integrity. development and application of innovative technologies will allow the asset owner to generate increased quality and greater data volumes of asset condition data that would be difficult to imagine ten years ago." With projects such as GRAID and Smart Street gathering previously unavailable amounts of real-time data about assets, and a range of new DMS systems and applications enabling it to be acted upon and managed, the approach to asset management is steadily moving away from being reactive and towards a proactive approach. From altering voltage to meet actual demand, to scheduling maintenance operations based on the current state of assets rather than their expected state, networks can take on the challenge of getting more out of their ageing assets rather than replacing them.