Enhance Visibility into Your Underground Power Lines with Intelligent Line Sensors
- January 4, 2022
Don’t Just Underground — Underground with Visibility
Line Sensing for Underground Power Systems is Essential and Easier than You Think
In the face of extreme weather, wildfire risk, and with aging grids in mind, leading utilities like PG&E, FPL, We Energies, Dominion Energy, and Duke Energy have recently announced plans to strategically underground sections of their distribution grid for better resilience and reliability. Underground electric power distribution is inherently more reliable than overhead, but to fully realize the reliability benefits of underground circuits they must be visible and monitored.
Line sensing solutions provide distribution utilities with the system visibility they need to go further with reliability improvements. Line sensing adds fault detection and remote monitoring to more locations along underground lines to reduce outage durations and enable data-driven decision making.
While reliability gains from line sensing are field-proven, utilities may not have experience implementing line sensing on underground circuits.
Getting Started With Underground Line Sensing
Implementing an underground line sensor program is a straightforward, easy process — especially when following best practices included in the steps below. A pilot is the starting point for successful deployment of intelligent line sensing solutions and should always be the initial focus.
Best Practices to Start an Underground Line Sensing Pilot
Step 1 — Identify Feeders for Pilot
Determine which underground feeders make the most sense to include in an evaluation pilot. The choice of circuits for the pilot should be looked at from multiple perspectives – age of cable, branching in the circuit, recent outage frequencies, and load profile changes.
It’s difficult to find one circuit that fits all parameters therefore we recommend starting with at least three to five feeders. This ensures that the pilot can provide meaningful data and serve as a reasonable sample set to assess a business case for further expansion.
Step 2 — Site Surveys of Potential Locations
Once a set of feeders has been identified for piloting, site surveys need to be performed. Important aspects to check during the surveys include:
- Available Space – For many utilities, most of their pad-mounted switchgear was deployed decades ago. Cabinet space may be constrained, especially in the case of live-front switchgear. It is important to check the make and model of the cabinet and available space for installing sensors.
- Cellular Signals – With cellular communications, it is important to check signal strength in the field and validate, via coverage maps, that adequate cellular signal is expected at chosen sites.
- Continuous Loading – Assess average loading expected at the sites and ensure the necessary loading exists for line powering of the sensor.
Step 3 — Plan and Create Software Installation
Line sensing solutions include both sensor hardware and software such as Sentient Energy’s Ample® Analytics Platform. As the sensor locations are surveyed and studied, start a plan for the software installation.
Two installation options can be considered for the Ample® Analytics Platform: on premise or AWS cloud hosted. Shorter deployment time and less IT resources are advantages of choosing a hosted implementation of Ample for the pilot.
Another important aspect of the analytics software plan to be determined is how data will flow and integrate with OT systems. Sensors with dual DNP master capability simplify data integration as they send sensor data to both Ample and a second OT system such as an Advanced Distribution Management System (ADMS).
Step 4 — Training on Sensors and Software
After sensor locations are selected and a software instance is created, it’s time for training on both the sensor installation and the use of software. While it is always preferable to be onsite at a utility’s facility for training on sensor installation, remote video training is a good alternative. Remote training is also effective for software.
Evaluate and leverage all training resources made available to you. In addition to training videos, Sentient Energy provides valuable reference resources such as an installation guide with a very detailed walkthrough of install steps and necessary tools, and a condensed one-page quick start card.
Also, make sure you have a clear point of contact with the solution provider for any technical questions that arise before or during the pilot deployment.
H4: Step 5 — Deploy Pilot Units
Pilot units are deployed after planning and set-up has been completed (Steps 1 – 4). A recommended initial pilot configuration is three to five feeders with two or three line-sensing locations along each feeder.
Pre-configuring the line sensors as much as possible before installation makes for a quicker, easier deployment. For Sentient Energy’s UM3+™ intelligent line sensor, factory configured devices can also be updated via the Ample Analytics Platform as needed so that the device can immediately start reporting when powered on in the field.
Installation of the pre-configured UM3+ underground line sensor takes only about 30 minutes per site for a trained crew. Sentient Energy’s team typically accompanies utility crews during pilot installations to provide support and ensure success.
The recommended duration of a line sensing pilot is generally from 30 to 60 days. In addition to real events that occur on the chosen underground circuits, Sentient Energy can suggest ways to simulate faults for testing the line sensing system during the pilot.
Intelligent Sensors Provide Actionable Data for Underground Grid Management
Faults don’t occur underground as often as they do overhead but when they do, they can be harder to locate and take longer to address. Monitoring with line sensors is an effective way to gain the visibility and actionable data needed for better underground grid management.
Whether utilities are implementing new undergrounding projects or maintaining existing underground circuits, line sensing solutions provide a cost-effective measurable reliability boost.
Getting started with underground line sensing is not difficult. Utilities can quickly initiate a pilot with a best practice based five-step process and experience the benefits of increased system visibility firsthand.
Don’t just underground. Underground with visibility. And stayed tuned for more updates from Sentient Energy on improving the reliability of underground power distribution.
About Sentient Energy
Sentient Energy’s intelligent line sensing solution detects faults, reduces the need for patrolling, and shortens outage durations. It is used globally by utilities of every size and deployed at over 25 of North America’s largest utilities. Contact us today for more information on our products and solutions for electric utility providers.
Enhance Visibility into Your Underground Power Lines with Intelligent Line Sensors
- January 4, 2022
Don’t Just Underground — Underground with Visibility
Line Sensing for Underground Power Systems is Essential and Easier than You Think
In the face of extreme weather, wildfire risk, and with aging grids in mind, leading utilities like PG&E, FPL, We Energies, Dominion Energy, and Duke Energy have recently announced plans to strategically underground sections of their distribution grid for better resilience and reliability. Underground electric power distribution is inherently more reliable than overhead, but to fully realize the reliability benefits of underground circuits they must be visible and monitored.
Line sensing solutions provide distribution utilities with the system visibility they need to go further with reliability improvements. Line sensing adds fault detection and remote monitoring to more locations along underground lines to reduce outage durations and enable data-driven decision making.
While reliability gains from line sensing are field-proven, utilities may not have experience implementing line sensing on underground circuits.
Getting Started With Underground Line Sensing
Implementing an underground line sensor program is a straightforward, easy process — especially when following best practices included in the steps below. A pilot is the starting point for successful deployment of intelligent line sensing solutions and should always be the initial focus.
Best Practices to Start an Underground Line Sensing Pilot
Step 1 — Identify Feeders for Pilot
Determine which underground feeders make the most sense to include in an evaluation pilot. The choice of circuits for the pilot should be looked at from multiple perspectives – age of cable, branching in the circuit, recent outage frequencies, and load profile changes.
It’s difficult to find one circuit that fits all parameters therefore we recommend starting with at least three to five feeders. This ensures that the pilot can provide meaningful data and serve as a reasonable sample set to assess a business case for further expansion.
Step 2 — Site Surveys of Potential Locations
Once a set of feeders has been identified for piloting, site surveys need to be performed. Important aspects to check during the surveys include:
- Available Space – For many utilities, most of their pad-mounted switchgear was deployed decades ago. Cabinet space may be constrained, especially in the case of live-front switchgear. It is important to check the make and model of the cabinet and available space for installing sensors.
- Cellular Signals – With cellular communications, it is important to check signal strength in the field and validate, via coverage maps, that adequate cellular signal is expected at chosen sites.
- Continuous Loading – Assess average loading expected at the sites and ensure the necessary loading exists for line powering of the sensor.
Step 3 — Plan and Create Software Installation
Line sensing solutions include both sensor hardware and software such as Sentient Energy’s Ample® Analytics Platform. As the sensor locations are surveyed and studied, start a plan for the software installation.
Two installation options can be considered for the Ample® Analytics Platform: on premise or AWS cloud hosted. Shorter deployment time and less IT resources are advantages of choosing a hosted implementation of Ample for the pilot.
Another important aspect of the analytics software plan to be determined is how data will flow and integrate with OT systems. Sensors with dual DNP master capability simplify data integration as they send sensor data to both Ample and a second OT system such as an Advanced Distribution Management System (ADMS).
Step 4 — Training on Sensors and Software
After sensor locations are selected and a software instance is created, it’s time for training on both the sensor installation and the use of software. While it is always preferable to be onsite at a utility’s facility for training on sensor installation, remote video training is a good alternative. Remote training is also effective for software.
Evaluate and leverage all training resources made available to you. In addition to training videos, Sentient Energy provides valuable reference resources such as an installation guide with a very detailed walkthrough of install steps and necessary tools, and a condensed one-page quick start card.
Also, make sure you have a clear point of contact with the solution provider for any technical questions that arise before or during the pilot deployment.
Step 5 — Deploy Pilot Units
Pilot units are deployed after planning and set-up has been completed (Steps 1 – 4). A recommended initial pilot configuration is three to five feeders with two or three line-sensing locations along each feeder.
Pre-configuring the line sensors as much as possible before installation makes for a quicker, easier deployment. For Sentient Energy’s UM3+™ intelligent line sensor, factory configured devices can also be updated via the Ample Analytics Platform as needed so that the device can immediately start reporting when powered on in the field.
Installation of the pre-configured UM3+ underground line sensor takes only about 30 minutes per site for a trained crew. Sentient Energy’s team typically accompanies utility crews during pilot installations to provide support and ensure success.
The recommended duration of a line sensing pilot is generally from 30 to 60 days. In addition to real events that occur on the chosen underground circuits, Sentient Energy can suggest ways to simulate faults for testing the line sensing system during the pilot.
Intelligent Sensors Provide Actionable Data for Underground Grid Management
Faults don’t occur underground as often as they do overhead but when they do, they can be harder to locate and take longer to address. Monitoring with line sensors is an effective way to gain the visibility and actionable data needed for better underground grid management.
Whether utilities are implementing new undergrounding projects or maintaining existing underground circuits, line sensing solutions provide a cost-effective measurable reliability boost.
Getting started with underground line sensing is not difficult. Utilities can quickly initiate a pilot with a best practice based five-step process and experience the benefits of increased system visibility firsthand.
Don’t just underground. Underground with visibility. And stayed tuned for more updates from Sentient Energy on improving the reliability of underground power distribution.
About Sentient Energy
Sentient Energy’s intelligent line sensing solution detects faults, reduces the need for patrolling, and shortens outage durations. It is used globally by utilities of every size and deployed at over 25 of North America’s largest utilities. Contact us today for more information on our products and solutions for electric utility providers.
