About EPRI's Radio Frequency Monitor Suite for Transmission Assets
The EPRI Radio Frequency (RF)Monitoring Suite for Transmission Assets is a collection of 107 bespoke wireless monitors that can be used in any combination to communicate wirelessly with a base (weather) station which relays asset health information to EPRI or Utility hosted servers. The system can trigger alerts or alarms through custom tailored advanced analytics. EPRI’s RF Monitoring Application Service combines the RF monitoring hardware, actionable information visualization and world class SME consulting service.
The Hardware
The sensors collect health condition data from a range of transmission line and substation assets e.g. insulators, structures, conductors and transformers. They measure parameters relevant to each asset type and respective modes of failure and degradation. They are designed for easy field installations and are power harvest or battery powered for more than a decade of battery life. Their imbedded algorithms translate measured data into actionable information.
The Hardware
The sensors collect health condition data from a range of transmission line and substation assets e.g. insulators, structures, conductors and transformers. They measure parameters relevant to each asset type and respective modes of failure and degradation. They are designed for easy field installations and are power harvest or battery powered for more than a decade of battery life. Their imbedded algorithms translate measured data into actionable information.
EPRI staff were very knowledgeable, flexible, and helpful in troubleshooting throughout the field testing. Initial results allowed us to see galloping amplitude and confirm our design approach based on experience.The insights gained gave us more confidence in using both transmission line designs. We want to do more monitoring as we continue to build and improve transmission line efficiency.
— NANCY FULK
Staff Engineer
American Electric Power Company
Why choose EPRI?
Base stations collect information from up to 40 sensors with a maximum Monitor to Base station range of 1000 feet for overhead applications and 300 feet for substation applications. 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. The base station can be either solar or AC powered with battery back up and can be installed on either lattice or pole structures. They can also collect ambient weather information: wind, rain, temperature, solar radiation and relative humidity.
Servers 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.
Actionable Information
Stakeholders can view (via an EPRI web interface or on their own asset health system) a graphical representation of real time parameters; current, temperature, movement, strain or acoustics, associated with asset condition, degradation, security or failure modes for each asset type.
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.
EPRI’s Subject Matter Expert Team
EPRI has a team of more than 60 subject matter experts (SME’s) and technical staff dedicated to understanding the performance of Transmission and Substation assets and finding solutions to electric industry challenges. They monitor the information and provide Guidance Alerts and/ or Alarms to action if warranted. Our SME expertise include overhead, underground and substation assets.
The Value
The proactive monitoring of transmission and substation asset health information allows utilities to make actionable maintenance or replacement decisions to avoid costly unplanned service interruptions and to intelligently plan/procure for future resiliency.
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.
Actionable Information
Stakeholders can view (via an EPRI web interface or on their own asset health system) a graphical representation of real time parameters; current, temperature, movement, strain or acoustics, associated with asset condition, degradation, security or failure modes for each asset type.
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.
EPRI’s Subject Matter Expert Team
EPRI has a team of more than 60 subject matter experts (SME’s) and technical staff dedicated to understanding the performance of Transmission and Substation assets and finding solutions to electric industry challenges. They monitor the information and provide Guidance Alerts and/ or Alarms to action if warranted. Our SME expertise include overhead, underground and substation assets.
The Value
The proactive monitoring of transmission and substation asset health information allows utilities to make actionable maintenance or replacement decisions to avoid costly unplanned service interruptions and to intelligently plan/procure for future resiliency.
The EPRI RF Monitors not only inform us of insulator contamination, but also of the need for replacement or recoating. We plan to install EPRI RF Monitors on different insulator designs and sizes within a substation to help identify designs that perform better and thus support design and procurement decisions.
— MIKE KOKOSZ
Consultant Engineer
CenterPoint Energy