EPRI conducts research and development for the global electricity sector. An independent, nonprofit organization, EPRI brings together experts from academia and industry as well as its own scientists and engineers to help address challenges in electricity generation, delivery and use, including health, safety and the environment. EPRI also provides technology, policy and economic analyses to drive long-range research and development planning, and supports research in emerging technologies. Together…Shaping the Future of Electricity!

Base Station

We determine the type, quantity, and location of each RF Monitor by analyzing the monitoring requirements of each site, substation, or transmission line. Multiple RF Monitors communicate with a base station that aggregates, stores, and transmits the data.

Base stations collect information from up to 48 individual RF Monitors of various types. The information is stored locally and transmitted to either EPRI’s servers or the utility asset health system. In the case of EPRI servers, the base station communicates using a wireless modem.

In addition to the RF Monitor information, the base station can collect local weather parameters, including temperature, humidity, wind speed and rainfall.

Server and User interface

Many utilities opt to use EPRI’s secure servers to store and visualize the monitor data. Customers can view real-time and historical data going back to the installation date of the monitor. The servers can generate email alerts and alarms using EPRI- or utility-developed algorithms.

EPRI’s Subject Matter Expert team

EPRI has a team of more than 60 subject matter experts and technical staff dedicated to understanding the performance of transmission assets and finding solutions to electric industry challenges. Our experts’ expertise ranges from overhead to underground to substation assets. We are ready to support RF Monitor installations to determine what monitor measurements mean and what actions to take.

Algorithm development and analysis

In the end, monitor systems only measure data. The conversion of that data into information and the extraction of applicable knowledge informs valuable actions. EPRI applies its collaborative R&D model to develop algorithms to convert data measured by many monitor types into actions. Examples include algorithms that provide insights on whether it is time to wash contaminated insulators, the magnitude of galloping on conductors, or whether an arrester is failing.

Extensive field testing

As part of the development of each of the RF monitor types, EPRI conducts field demonstrations with our members to ensure that the monitors reliably provide actionable information. Our demonstrations enable the continual refinement and improvement of the technology and help our team extract the greatest value for you.

Although real-time data is both interesting and useful, the analysis of data over extended periods of time enables more informed decision-making. EPRI has developed a set of tools to analyze data from the RF Monitors, as well as other sources to provide actionable insights.