Advanced Sensors for the Smartgrid

How to deal with existing switchgear in Secondary Substations

Authors:Aitor Arzuaga

Jose Antonio MorenoCovadonga Coca

Frankfurt (Germany), 6-9 June 2011

The Grid has evolved over time, patchwork. Decades-old equipment. Limited investment in distribution grids. Different types of switchgear:

Masonry Air Insulated Gas (SF6) Insulated

Aitor Arzuaga – Spain – Session 1 Network Components – Paper 1091

The Diversity of the Distribution Grid

Frankfurt (Germany), 6-9 June 2011

Monitor voltage (magnitude / phase): Transformer-based. Dividers (capacitive, resistive).

Limitations: Dimensions (existing space). Installation. Accuracy. Parasitics.

Aitor Arzuaga – Spain – Session 1 Network Components – Paper 1091

Voltage Sensors

Frankfurt (Germany), 6-9 June 2011

Monitor current in MV conductors. Rogowski coils. Fe Current transformers. Fiber optics.

Limitations: External conductor shielding. Tradeoff installation simplicity vs accuracy. Safety (open circuit).

Aitor Arzuaga – Spain – Session 1 Network Components – Paper 1091

Current Sensors

Frankfurt (Germany), 6-9 June 2011

Couple PLC communications signal into MV lines. Inductive couplers. Capacitive couplers.

Limitations: Frequency / bandwidth. Impedance. Security. Installation complexity.

Aitor Arzuaga – Spain – Session 1 Network Components – Paper 1091

PLC Coupling Devices

Frankfurt (Germany), 6-9 June 2011

Integration is the path to follow in existing MV distribution grids: Lack of space in switchgear. Installation time / cost. Security (devices tapped into MV). Enabler of Smartgrid in existing grid.

Types: Voltage + current. Voltage + PLC coupler. Voltage + current + PLC coupler.

Aitor Arzuaga – Spain – Session 1 Network Components – Paper 1091

The road to Integration

Frankfurt (Germany), 6-9 June 2011

Different solutions exist with different levels of precision, cost and installation complexity.

The diversity of the MV grid requires a range of sensor solutions to cope with its diversity.

Sensors can be integrated to fit space limited applications, technically complex.

Precision requirements for analog measuments have to be carefully analyzed, tradeoffs made.

Aitor Arzuaga – Spain – Session 1 Network Components – Paper 1091

Conclusions

Frankfurt (Germany), 6-9 June 2011

THANK YOU!

a.arzuaga@ziv.es