UNDERGROUND SYSTEMS INC — Department of Energy SBIR Phase II: 22a

Description

In order to increase the resiliency and to optimize the operating efficiency of transmission systems utilities must be able to quickly restore service after a failure. Locating faults with current technologies on underground transmission systems can be a time consuming and skilled labor intensive process often taking many days or even weeks. The proposed solution for these challenges will allow the operator to: Reduce time and skill level for fault location and repair of fluid-filled pipe-type cables; Reduce long duration outages in self-contained fluid-filled submarine cables. This DoE SBIR Phase IIB proposal would (1) demonstrate the system’s accuracy utilizing an out of service High-Pressure Fluid-Filled HPFF pipe-type Cable system, (2) develop a novel pinpointing technology and (3) further expand the scope of the original DoE sponsored Phase II R&D project to address Self-Contained Fluid-Filled SCFF submarine power cables. The fault location systems to be further developed are for underground laminar/dielectric fluid insulated power cable types. For HPFF pipe-type cable systems, which represent more than 80% of underground transmission cables installed in the US, this work will improve the initial location of the fault and then pinpoint the location for the repair. In addition, USi will investigate and develop a high accuracy fault location system for SCFF submarine cables. Design of test protocols/methods for fault location will be provided since actual fault event demonstrations on operating systems are not practical. Pilot installations in utility underground transmission systems are planned to demonstrate the new instrumentation’s reliability. USi is a leader in advanced diagnostics for underground transmission systems with over 30 years of experience in the design, manufacture, field application and maintenance of monitoring, rating, diagnostic and control systems with installations both domestic and abroad.Successful implementation of the proposed systems has social, technical, and economic benefits to the U.S. The social benefit to the U.S. is the public’s security and comfort knowing that the U.S. has a technologically advanced electric power transmission grid. The technical benefit is establishing next-generation fault locating devices delivering increased system resiliency. The economic benefit results from a more resilient grid through faster, less expensive fault location and repair of underground transmission systems. The availability of domestic advanced sensors and systems will also enhance the United States competitive position worldwide. We estimate that the repair time, including fault location, for bulk power transmission feeders will be reduced by about 35% and the repair cost savings will be augmented by the savings in replacement energy costs.