Ampacimon, for example, has developed its GridLife suite of grid monitoring tools including PDEye.

There are broadly three types of maintenance strategies, explains Javier Ortego, director of BlueBox Technology at Ampacimon:

Reactive or breakdown is a strategy of responding to a failure after it has occurred and when repairs are needed to restore function.

A preventative or scheduled maintenance strategy requires periodic inspections and regularly timed interventions.

Any defects are corrected as they are detected or components are replaced at scheduled intervals.

A preventative strategy is designed to correct failures before they occur but can result in potential faults being missed or elements being replaced when they are still functional.

Predictive maintenance is a data-driven, proactive strategy that relies on continuous data recovery and analysis to accurately forecast potential failures before they occur and allow timely intervention.

While partial discharge monitoring can be used as part of a preventative maintenance strategy with more sophisticated analysis partial discharge monitoring can also be deployed as in important element in a predictive maintenance operation.

Ampacimon, for example, has developed its GridLife suite of grid monitoring tools including PDEye.

This serves as a central monitoring platform for all the different sensors and monitoring units installed across the grid by detecting defects in insulation using permanently installed equipment such as sensors.

Installed on the cloud or on-premises it can be connected to the asset management system to accurately monitor the system for partial discharge and enable automated diagnosis across all the various asset classes, including cables, transformers, substations and switchgear, generators and motors, and gas-insulated substations.

Developed for optimal reliability, PDEye automatically generates instant real-time warnings from this sensor data with a 98% accuracy.

This level of precision reduces maintenance costs but coupled with an advanced artificial intelligence analytics tool, the platform not only identifies faults and their location but also provides an evaluation of any detected defects.

This AI modelling provides a diagnosis for the technical teams, identifying the defect type, any patterns, their criticality, and other parameters allowing it to categorise multiple defects automatically through clustering. This analysis considers any localisation, sensor ratio, wave parameters, and the phase-resolved partial discharge pattern and delivers an accurate list of defects from just a single measurement.

The system recognises these diverse defects in all insulation types, including XLPE, air, oil, or SF6. This precise AI modelling not only reduces the need for expert analysis but allows non-expert technicians to rapidly assess the condition of any assets and quickly plan and execute any necessary preventive actions. It can therefore enable a predictive maintenance approach to be adopted.

The future of an ageing grid

By detecting and taking action to address potential problems before they occur, grid reliability is improved. In addition, by acting early the cost impact of any emerging problems is mitigated.

For an ageing asset base where reliability is already likely to be affected, advanced grid-enhancing technologies like partial discharge monitoring coupled with AI analytics are tools that serve a multitude of important functions.

Indeed, a recent Credence Research report on the Middle East Grid Modernisation Market found that the market is anticipated to reach US$2.6bn by 2032, at a CAGR of nearly 15%.

It’s a market largely driven by increasing investments in smart grid technologies and digital transformation in the power sector as well as the influences of renewable energy integration.

Partial discharge monitoring allows companies to be aware of the health of their assets and make better decisions about maintenance and repair.

And, while it is worth noting that any defect that does not originate in the main insulation is not detectable by partial discharge monitoring, it can nonetheless serve as an important tool in the grid operator’s arsenal.

This is the last part of Ortego's op-ed. Click here to read the first and second parts.

There are two ways of monitoring partial discharge events.

Partial discharge (PD) in electrical grids is a localised electrical discharge that only partially bridges the insulation between conductors, without causing a complete breakdown.

It typically occurs in high-voltage systems, such as power grids, transformers, cables, or switchgear, where the insulation is subjected to strong electric fields.

Javier Ortego, director of BlueBox Technology at Ampacimon, explains how PD can be detected:  

Partial discharge monitoring can be applied to assets running at voltage of 1 kV or more can be applied at any stage of an asset’s life, even during commissioning.

However, it is particularly relevant to older assets that are at a higher risk of failure, especially those elements that are system-critical and which need to be rigorously monitored.

Key methods of monitoring

There are two ways of monitoring partial discharge events, off-line when the line is not energised, or online when the line is in use.

Off-line monitoring can take place during commissioning or if the line is de-energised when there is no load and therefore no noise.

Because the line is in use, online measurements can be more challenging as signal noise is generated that can interfere with the accuracy of any measurements.

For example, high-intensity noise can obscure the pulses derived from small partial discharge problems and make them difficult to detect.

In addition, it can make it harder to pinpoint the location of a particle discharge even if it is detected, the location is a key parameter to address any faults found.

There are also several possible monitoring strategies including punctual measurements that are performed at a specific time and usually last less than an hour, temporary measurements that can last perhaps hours or days and permanent measurements that monitor assets at all times and may be installed for months or years.

Finally, having obtained relevant data from the partial discharge monitoring, the interpretation of the signals is complicated and requires experienced personnel to derive actionable results.

This is the second part of Ortego's op-ed. Click here to read the last part. 

The first part is published here. 

Partial discharge (PD) is caused by the breakdown of electrical insulation

Dogged by decades of under-investment, grid operators are turning to smarter grid-enhancing technologies to predict potential failures before they happen, improve system reliability, and save on costs. Advanced AI analytics and partial discharge monitoring are emerging as key elements of the toolbox for ageing grid assets. Javier Ortego, director of BlueBox Technology at Ampacimon, writes: 

Like many of the world’s regions, the electricity grids of the Middle East and North Africa are broadly characterised by a lack of investment that has been responsible for a declining asset base over many years.

This has left the ageing infrastructure poorly equipped and struggling to deal with new challenges such as the growing electrification of industry and a shift to a more distributed generation architecture.

There is an evident need to respond to this situation with large-scale investment in new grid infrastructure - replacing conductors and transformers and building new lines to reinforce the grid for example.

However, according to a recent IEA report, Building the Future Transmission Grid: Strategies to Navigate Supply Chain Challenges, global grid expansion is struggling to keep pace with surging demand as supply chain bottlenecks have seen procurement lead times and costs for essential parts like transformers and cables nearly double since 2021.

The IEA notes that while permitting remains the primary cause of delays in transmission projects, supply chain issues have emerged as a critical issue. An IEA survey on the issue found that procurement now takes two to three years for cables and up to four years for large power transformers.

Meanwhile, real terms cable costs have nearly doubled since 2019 while transformer prices have increased by around 75%.

Despite these challenges though, there are alternative strategies available.

The use of smarter grid-enhancing technologies (GETs) offers a route to reinforce the asset base without the need for wholesale replacement.

GETs can thus reduce the need for capital investment while still improving system reliability and making the existing infrastructure far better equipped to cope with evolving demands.

The PD problem

One of the tools available to improve grid reliability without the need for gross capital expenditure is the detection of partial discharge events, coupled with a strategy of early intervention.

Partial discharge (PD) is caused by the breakdown of electrical insulation that results in a partial short circuit between conductors.

Partial discharge can take place in any insulating medium with solid, liquid or gaseous types all potentially affected, although such events are often initiated in a gas void, such as gaps in solid epoxy insulation or bubbles in transformer oil.

While the partial discharge does not completely bridge the electrical gap it can nonetheless result in significant damage.

When a partial discharge occurs over a long period, for example, it can cause a further breakdown in the insulating properties of the medium and eventually a complete failure.

Inevitably, such failures result in a full short circuit and a sudden trip on any circuit affected.

Where this occurs, such events are always costly for supply companies and consumers.

Furthermore, replacing the failed elements can clearly be very expensive and it may take a long time to even secure replacement parts and effect a repair of the affected assets.

Monitoring the incidence of partial discharge thus not only allows potential failures to be addressed well ahead of time to avoid faults before they happen, but by deploying smart technologies partial discharge monitoring coupled with sophisticated analysis can also result in a predictive maintenance regime being implemented.

This is the first part of Ortego's op-ed. Click here to read the second part. 

Project Coeus is designed to support OEMs through the energy transition. (Image source: Alain Charles Publishing)

The Perkins pre-bauma press event in London provided a taste of what the power solutions company will be showcasing at bauma, which takes place from 7-13 April in Munich

At the event, delegates heard about Perkins’ initiatives to provide smarter, more sustainable solutions to support its customers with their diverse needs through the energy transition, and how its latest developments align with its focus on ‘strengthening the core, pioneering the future’.

In line with this, at bauma, Perkins will showcase the latest off-highway power system technologies, from fuel flexible optimised engines to products and services to support the transition to electrification, such as its hybrid-electric telehandler, where a 75 kW diesel-powered telehandler was converted into a hybrid machine, utilising a Perkins 48V battery system to enable electric-only operation.

Taking centre stage will be the 2606 diesel engine, scheduled to go into production in 2026, a new 13-litre engine platform designed to achieve best-in-class power density, torque and fuel efficiency for a wide range of heavy-duty off-highway machine and applications, from screeners , grinders and material handlers to compressors, pumps, construction machinery, mining equipment and tractors. It provides 340-515 kW rated power and up to 3200 Nm peak torque.

The engine supports quality, reliability and easier maintenance through numerous design enhancements, including the integration of components and a reduction in the number of leak joints by more than 45%. Together, the upgrades result in low fluids consumption and extended oil and fuel filter service intervals as long as 1,000 hours, reducing operating costs and downtime. The engine is HVO/renewable diesel and biodiesel compatible, and is compliant with EU Stage 5, US EPA Tier 4 and all other global emissions standards.

Also on display will be the 904J engine. Available in 2.8 and 3.6 litre variants, the 904 series offers a power range from 50 to 106 kw with agricultural, industrial and electric power variants. As of October 2023 more than 100,000 engines had been built and shipped. The 904J-E36TA, which comes into production in March 2025, the 106kw variant of the 3.6 litre engine, offers increased power versus the current 3.6 litre. With a torque of 566Nm and rated speed of 2200 rpm, it is certified to EU Stage 5 and US EPA Tier 4 Final.

Project Coeus update

Visitors to bauma can expect to find out the latest about Project Coeus, a partnership between Perkins Engines, Loughborough University and UK-based engineering specialist Equipmake, designed to support OEMs through the energy transition. An advanced hybridised alternative-fuel power-system to decarbonise the off-highway industry, it involves the development of a multi-fuel ‘drop-in’ hybrid powertrain. The project seeks to overcome a number of key performance challenges faced by the industry and OEMs as they look to adopt alternative fuels, providing the same performance as they would get with diesel and the ability to flexibly use different fuels, such as ethanol, methanol, biomethane and hydrogen. At the heart of it is a spark-ignited engine platform with an integrated hybrid system alongside the combustion engine to mitigate performance differences in the various alternative fuels.

“These advanced drop in power units are going to be key for helping our customers adopt future technologies required for their energy transition, delivering them a robust plug and play power, maintaining the same user experience, minimising the amount of design integration and minimising the amount of violations,” said Paul Moore, head of Powertrain System Integration at Perkins at the press event.

Augmenting the customer experience

Augmenting the customer experience is an important focus for Perkins. At the press event, delegates heard about Perkins Connectivity and Condition Monitoring. Seamlessly linking the user to their Perkins powered applications, Perkins Connectivity provides access to critical real-time data, enabling the user to make informed decisions with insights tailored to support proactive maintenance and maximise efficiency. It also enables access to Perkins comprehensive service network.

“You might find that the service network knows there’s an issue before anyone on site does. Minor issues can therefore be picked up when they are easier, quicker and cheaper to fix, before they become major issues,” said Jessica Langley, senior marketing consultant at Perkins.

“It’s about strengthening relationships with OEMS and its customers, and empowering them to be manage their costs, reduce their downtime and work more efficiently. Perkins Connectivity really redefines reliability, efficiency and sustainability. It’s more than just technology, it’s a support to our customers, whether they be end users or OEMs, every step of the way.”

Throughout the briefing, Perkins representatives emphasised the company's focus on collaboration with customers to understand and address future challenges and address the demand for smarter solutions that provide full life-cycle support. With the current uncertainties over future emissions regulations and the direction of alternative fuels, Perkins is a trusted partner offering flexible solutions and an agile response to the evolving conditions of the energy transition.

"Our customers and their customers now have a global footprint," said Andy Curtis, customer solutions director at Perkins."How do they develop machines with very different technologies and very different challenges around the world? There is no one size fits all. What we are here to do is really listen to our customers and provide that agile support."

bauma is the world's leading trade fair for construction machinery, building material machines, mining machines, construction vehicles and construction equipment. Perkins will be exhibiting at Stand A4.336