3
Novel,
Low-Cost, Non-Contact, High Accuracy Sensor for the Simultaneous, Reliable, Real-time
Determination and Monitoring of HV Transmission Line Sag, Temperature, Current,
and Ampacity—Promethean
Devices, LLC, 9896 Old Charlotte Highway, Fort Mill, SC
29715-7133; 803-802-7012
Mr.
Steven J. Syracuse, Principal Investigator, syracuse@prometheandevices.com
Mr.
Steven J. Syracuse, Business Official, syracuse@prometheandevices.com
DOE
Grant No. DE-FG02-05ER84159
Amount:
$750,000
Demand for electriciy has grown significantly faster than the
transmission system's capability to deliver it reliably.
As a result, the system is being operated in a manner for which it was
not designed; congestion, blackouts, equipment damage, and system disturbances
are becoming widespread, and are occurring with ever increasing frequency,
duration, and economic effect. The low-cost
monitoring of congested circuits would improve reliability and economic
efficiency, increase transmission capacity, relieve congestion, reduce costs to
consumers, and decrease operational risks. However,
existing real-time transmission line monitoring and dynamic rating systems have
total installed costs significantly in excess of $45,000 and $120,000,
respectively. This project will
develop a non-contact sensor system that will monitor sag, temperature,
ampacity, and current in real-time. The
measurements will have high accuracy and be communicated wirelessly to
end-users. The system will be
capable of rapid installation and calibration, with no required outages. Phase
I designed, developed, and field-tested prototype non-contact sensors that
produced real-time conductor sag and phase current information.
Preliminary operating specifications, performance, and total manufactured
cost of the device were established. In
Phase II, three complete system prototypes will be networked wirelessly at a
utility test site, and extensive field tests will be conducted.
Commercial
Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee:
The sensor
system should enable low-cost, networked, real-time monitoring (and alleviation)
of congested paths, thereby maintaining the reliability of electric power
delivery. The sensor could help
reduce the frequency, extent, and duration of system disturbances (including
blackouts) that cause large annual productivity losses.
By enhancing transmission capacity and reducing congestion, the public
will realize reduced electricity prices. Utilities,
transmission organizations, and system operators will benefit from improved grid
monitoring and visualization.