2: EPRI-developed RF sensor technologies for transmission applications.Īs shown in Fig. 1: Technology readiness level of RF sensor technologies. Sensors can assist operators to make more informed decisions in regard to those components that are at high risk. Sensors offer investigators better information to identify root causes of failures. Sensors allow improved dynamic ratings to be achieved through precise, real time knowledge of the actual condition of grid components. Sensors enable improved allocation of resources for asset management since their data supplements similar vintage performance information, failure databases and operational data. Maintenance actions can be initiated at the most appropriate time, increasing cost effectiveness. Improved planning for personnel to be deployed to deal with either an imminent outage or possibly to prevent an outage. Knowledge of whether an asset is at imminent risk of failure enables actions to be taken to better address safety. Sensors offer numerous opportunities to provide added value for a transmission system. It also offered examples of the opportunities sensor deployment can offer to facilitate grid modernization. of T&D at EPRI, discussed various value streams for sensor technologies and presented an overview of EPRI’s RF Sensor Suite. This edited contribution to INMR by Andrew Phillips, V.P.
Sensors are among the technologies that enable such decision-making.
This makes it crucial to develop and install technologies that can assess condition of components and provide decision tools to help prioritize maintenance and/or replacement. Rather, the focus must be on gradually replacing assets that have reached the end of their normal operating life. estimated to exceed $800 billion) means that existing grid components cannot simply be changed out with new technologies. Unfortunately, the huge asset value of electrical infrastructure (in the U.S. Among the challenges faced by electricity supply utilities is reaching expected reliability targets with ageing equipment that operates at high utilization levels while often also exposed to severe environments.