Innovators in Power Engineering

EA Technology-Smart Grids

The EA Technology Group offers a range of existing propositions which provide a platform for any organisation wishing to develop its own Smart Grid capabilities. Our services and support systems encompass all areas of relevant technical know-how and expertise ranging from documentation management to monitoring solutions. We are continuing to refine these propositions to facilitate a switchover from traditional passive power assets to new active low carbon networks, in order to provide our customers with market leading solutions.

The following is a spectrum of developments and EA Technology’s associated capabilities to support clients on the path towards new smarter networks.

t. +44 (0) 151 339 4181f. +44 (0) 151 347 2404

sales@eatechnology.comwww.eatechnology.com

Knowledge Dissemination

To those outside the industry, the energy sector can be a daunting place. Different audiences require different communications, methods and techniques. We understand the importance of sharing knowledge; to such an extent that we bought a marketing company (blah d blah design) to help us relay our key messages to a diverse set of stakeholders. Communication of Smart Grid concept

From engagement with the regulator, Ofgem, direct conversations with National and International Distribution Network Operators, communities, suppliers and customers, we have been listening to and influencing the direction of the Smart Grid concept; knowledge that can be utilised by our clients. Our Network 2010’ conference, partnered with the Energy Networks Association (ENA), brought together leading thinking from around the world, and was attended by delegates ranging from policy makers, to network operators and energy suppliers.

Consultation and facilitation of technology transfer

The knowledge gained from EA Technology’s involvement with the Electricity industry, its trials and adoption of technology is used by other parties to understand, plan and implement technology transfer projects. We have dedicated teams with the capability to author tailored policies and specifications for our customers.

Communicating key messages to stakeholders

Through our marketing company blah d blah design, we have the capability to develop leaflets, websites, and other media. This, coupled with our in-depth technical knowledge, is a gateway to providing targeted and accessible messages to energy customers and citizens alike.

Training across all Smart Grid activities

EA Technology has a wide Power Engineering training portfolio that is constantly being updated to reflect the changes in network operation and Management in the UK and overseas. We are an active member of the IET Power Academy and have just launched a joint MSc in Power Engineering with a UK University.

Technology Acceleration

In today’s fast developing world, the need to keep ahead of technological developments has never been greater. With the combined support of both an innovation centre and ventures company, EA Technology successfully maintains this position.

Energy Innovation Centre

Launched in 2008, the Energy Innovation Centre is based within the EA Technology campus. It provides an “incubation site” and expertise for the development of new ideas. This initiative is supported by a number of partners from the electricity distribution industry and funded by the Northwest Regional Development Agency, the European Regional Development Fund and other selected partners. The Centre and its partner organisations namely CE Electric, Electricity North West, ScottishPower and Scottish and Southern Energy are actively seeking to develop new technologies for application across the energy sector.

EA Technology Ventures Ltd

As part of accelerating technical innovation and clarifying a new product’s route to market, EA Technology is able to offer financial and technical support via its subsidiary company EA Technology Ventures Ltd.

EA Technology Ventures Ltd can help bring innovative ideas to market by providing access to available investment funding. In addition, the wider EA Technology Group, with over 40 years professional experience, is uniquely placed to link innovative ideas with potential customers within the electricity industry, and provide expert technical and commercial support.

Low Carbon Technology

EA Technology is influential in the progressive development of Low Carbon Technologies. This spectrum of skills ranges from Demand Side Management to involvement in Technology Due Diligence assessments.

Demand Side Management (DSM) – project management

On behalf of the International Energy Agency (IEA) EA Technology has managed several Demand Side Management projects over a 10-year period and has extensive experience working with most of the “Big 6” UK energy suppliers and the UK transmission system operator. A recent example being carried out over 2009/10 was entitled “Micro Demand Response and Energy Saving”. This looked at demand response and energy saving products; delivery mechanisms; likely end-use demand changes; and the business cases to make them financially viable.

Development and trials of energy efficient technologies

EA Technology has many years experience of carrying out laboratory testing and “in situ” residential trials for many emerging technologies including micro-CHP, heat pumps, solar thermal, and voltage optimisation devices. Within our campus we have a matched pair of test houses, which have been used by energy retailers, government agencies and technology developers, to prove various low carbon technologies.

Development of enhanced storage technologies

Emerging technologies for energy storage include utility scale batteries, flow cells, compressed air, fly-wheel and hydrogen systems. EA Technology has carried out specific foresighting studies, including work for central and regional government, from both technical and economic perspectives, and is also engaged in the monitoring and evaluation of a specific technology on behalf of a UK DNO.

Technology due diligence

Should a company or financial institution wish to invest in a new technology it needs to be sure that its funding is safe and will provide a sustainable return. EA Technology has experience in many diverse technology assessments and will carry out a detailed study considering the following factors:

Technology: Validation of technical performanceCompany: Evaluation of capabilities, personnel, project management, history and skillsMarket: Actual/potential end-user/customer basesSupply chain: Appraisal of suppliers, partners & logistics Barriers: Regulatory, Legislative, Technical, Institutional & Financial

EA Technology – Matched pair test houses 1.2 MW / 7.4 MWHr Sodium-Sulphur battery

Deployment of Smarter Networks

EA Technology was established in 1966 to promote and develop solutions for both the utilisation and distribution of electricity. We have continued to work on both aspects of the industry, even after market changes resulted in a clear separation between the two activities. We recognise that to decarbonise energy, there is a blurring of the boundaries and a need for closer interaction and engagement across the energy ‘value chain’.

Creation of technology development and deployment strategies

With over 40 years of experience within the electrical industry we have seen technologies come and go. As the original inventors of everyday appliances from the halogen hob, to electrical storage heaters, we understand how innovative ideas can be applied to contemporary issues for the energy networks of the future. We have links with technology developers, government and academia, and have carried out many internal and external studies, trials and market assessments of new technologies for a range of third parties.

Implementation of SmartGrid Projects

Utilising our expertise of both electricity distribution and supply, we are working on a number of Smart Grid projects which will be compliant under Ofgem’s LCNF. Within our Smart Borough and Smart Village portfolio, we have projects including one where we are working with members of a local community; a university, energy supplier and network operator to create a low (or zero) carbon village. Involving the facilitation of a microgrid with several renewable sources, with shared and optimised loads, consideration will be given to energy storage options and demand side management measures that would benefit the local community. The lessons learnt can then be applied to other similar localities.

Project management

A solution is not of benefit unless it can be deployed. Within our team we have specialists who have been involved in delivering and coordinating multi-party collaborative projects. This expertise ranges from international development projects with examples such as the Electrical Networks Analysis Research & Development (ENARD) project and managed Demand Side Management projects for the IEA. At the other end of the scale, we have managed projects facilitating the deployment of technology onto operational networks.

Microgrid

Monitoring System Conditions

A Smart Grid supports the two way flow of electricity and information and is more dynamic than the passive distribution networks of today. Control and optimisation of the Smart Grid requires more sophisticated network monitoring.

EA Technology has instruments to monitor voltage, current, fault level and power quality. We are bringing together the functionality of our system and asset monitoring instruments to produce a modular system which can deliver both asset and system information in a highly cost effective manner.

Fault Level Monitor

Inherent within Smart Grids is the possibility of higher and bi-directional Fault-Current Magnitudes than those experienced in ‘Passive’ Networks due to increased Distributed Generation. EA Technology Ltd’s Fault Level Monitor instrument has, since 1993, been the de-facto standard method used by UK DNOs to measure feeder fault level. The instrument measures volts and amps and utilises sophisticated algorithms to calculate fault level and power quality parameters for a measured feeder. The monitor is backed by network models which include normal and abnormal running conditions, planned and unplanned plant outage scenarios providing Network Operators with information to ensure the safe and reliable operation of the Network under all conditions.

System Monitoring using our Asset Monitoring Instruments

EA Technology has a wide range of instruments for monitoring asset condition. We are currently adding system monitoring functionality into selected instruments to facilitate wide area system assessment. Deployment of these instruments ahead of Smart Grid initiatives that modify generation and / or load profiles will enable a clear “before and after” system measurement to be made, enabling the true impact of the initiative to be assessed and understood.

LV Automation

It is very time consuming to restore supplies after an LV fault. Feeders are protected by fuses which are typically replaced manually after a feeder has been sectionalised to isolate the fault. In partnership with two DNOs we are developing a low cost device which monitors and identifies fault conditions on LV circuits and can automatically sectionalise and restore supply without manual intervention, hence reducing outage times from several hours to well below 3 minutes.

Monitoring Asset Condition

EA Technology has reinforced its global leadership in condition based asset management. With the continued development of advanced Partial Discharge measurement products, we are acknowledged as a major player in asset condition monitoring.

Partial Discharge Monitoring

EA Technology Ltd has a suite of Partial Discharge measuring and monitoring equipment. This equipment, proven over many years of service in the UK and overseas, can ensure maximum reliability and availability of Smart Grids and associated assets by detecting progressive insulation system failures and alerting asset owners before disruptive failure occurs.

Substation Hub

Owner / operators of Smart Grids can monitor groups of assets for Partial Discharge activity. EA Technology Ltd’s UltraTEV Monitor is the most powerful and versatile system ever developed for monitoring Partial Discharge activity in HV and MV substation assets. Utilising a network of measurement nodes, connected via a single cable to a central hub, provides individual simultaneous monitoring of Partial Discharge activity of live assets. This web enabled technology allows authorised users to access the system from anywhere in the world, using standard web browsers.

The Monitor functions as a continuous PD alarm system, automatically searching for critical levels and trends in Partial Discharge activity and can transmit alerts to asset managers over a choice of media, including email and text messages.

EA Technology UltraTEV Monitor - Typical installation

Intelligent Services

A smarter grid requires smarter services. Not only services to identify where best to deploy smart assets, but also to deliver knowledge about assets rather than simply data on condition and / or duty.

Dynamic ratings

EA Technology has developed knowledge through the Strategic Technology Programme relating to the Dynamic Ratings of Electrical Assets and Networks. We can determine the true rating of network assets (which may differ from their design ratings) and help DNOs to specify, design and deploy dynamic rating schemes.

Overhead Line

EA Technology has delivered several projects investigating the factors that influence the thermal level of overhead line conductors. These projects have given EA Technology a unique understanding, knowledge and skill set which can be transferred directly to any OHL dynamic rating project.

Transformers

A proven service from EA Technology where non-intrusive hardware together with a bespoke software package are used to determine the Dynamic Rating of Transformers

This technique collects load and temperature information without impacting on the operation of the transformer itself. The technique “learns” the thermal characteristic of the transformer and determines its true rating which often differs from the stated nameplate rating.

Cables

Cable Rater (CRATER) is a cable rating design tools which is expressly tailored to the needs of the Electricity Industry in the UK. The CRATER series covers most of the cable types currently used in the UK and many legacy cables.

Knowledge not data

Our technical services teams have detailed experience and knowledge of the most up-to-date techniques for determining the condition of network assets. However, in addition to reporting condition, we can apply our sophisticated risk-based analysis tools to provide a DNO with knowledge of the financial risk that is carried by a network asset and recommend optimised programmes to manage the risk. These services include:

- High Resolution Overhead Line Inspection Service- Non-invasive Tower Footing Assessment- Substation Asset Assessment

We are currently developing a methodology which will determine an optimum balance of Capital and Operational spend, to align with the UK Gas and Electricity Markets Regulator’s “Totex” incentive framework.

Standardised Documentation

EA Technology Ltd’s globally renowned experts fully understand the requirements under which the new networks will need to function. Being the UK representative on the IEC standards working group for Smart Grids we can support operators by peer reviewing or writing Smart Grid policies and protocols.

Writing and Publication of Technical Documentation

Moving to ‘Active’ Smart Grids has significant implications for network operation and equipment performance. EA Technology Ltd is fully conversant with National and International Standards, Specifications, Health & Safety Legislation and recognised best practice. It has considerable experience in writing Technical Specifications for Electrical Distribution Assets, Maintenance and Operational Procedures on behalf of many UK and Overseas Network Operators.

Creation and Development of Smart Grid Policies

The Operational Policies required for ‘Active’ Smart Grids are likely to differ considerably from those of the current ‘Passive’ Networks. To ensure the safe and reliable operation of the Smart Grids it is essential that clear direction is provided to network personnel via high level strategy and policy documentation.

- Network planning policy- Network design policy- Network maintenance policy

From CBRM to holistic risk

EA Technology is the recognised leader in the application of CBRM for electrical utility assets around the world. We have been instrumental in developing CBRM from a stand alone application to a fully integrated risk management system.

Stand alone – Condition Based Risk Management

EA Technology’s Condition Based Risk Management programme enables users to make better informed business decisions based on detailed and accurate asset management. It is ultimately a financial planning and network performance tool

More than just asset management, CBRM provides a transparent and auditable approach to providing asset health indices, consequence of asset failure and the risk to the business in monetary terms. This development enables CBRM to provide a major strategic input into investment planning

Fully integrated – CBRM

EA Technology has taken the CBRM concept and via a software interface package developed in-house, can provide an asset management system that can be linked to existing operational business systems. This provides the customer with a bespoke, fully integrated system that automatically delivers Output Measures prescribed by the UK gas and electricity energy regulator.

Holistic Risk

Through CBRM, EA Technology has pioneered a risk based approach to non load related asset management. It is now developing a similar approach to load related risk management with a view to defining a holistic Risk Management technique. EA Technology is committed to developing and delivering a fully integrated risk management system for electrical systems and assets that encompasses both load and non load related expenditure programmes.

- Network planning policy- Network design policy- Network maintenance policy

EA Technology LimitedCapenhurst Technology Park

CapenhurstChester

CH1 6ES

t. +44 (0) 151 339 4181f. +44 (0) 151 347 2404

sales@eatechnology.comwww.eatechnology.comb

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