Integration of Smart Sensors into Utility Operation and Business Practices Ryan L. Rausch, P.E. Product Application Engineer, Eaton’s Cooper Power Systems What is a smart sensor? • Sensors are nothing new • CTs/PTs • Transducers • Faulted Circuit Indicators (FCIs) • What makes a sensor “smart”? • Digitization of data • Communications 2 Why smart sensors? • Smart sensors address the rising need for more data visibility into the grid to drive operations and automation • Diverse market and applications • Advancing technology • Good price point 3 The need for data • The nature of serving load is changing • • • • Load is more complex and sensitive Sourcing load is more challenging Infrastructure is near capacity Consumer dependence on reliable and high-quality power is greater • The nature of the workforce is changing • Lost resources and experience as the workforce ages • Increased dependence on automation and technology to close the gap 4 Data integration • IT • Get involved early! • Plan for hardware resources, secure network architecture • Telecom • Build-out or expand private radio networks • Manage public cellular accounts • OT • Identify systems that would utilize the data (SCADA, OMS, DMS, data historian) • Parallel integration effort in those systems 5 Applications • Faulted circuit indicators • Capacitor bank monitors • Distribution system monitors • Load profiling • Voltage monitoring • Power quality monitoring 6 Communicating FCIs • Reliability • Reduce CAIDI/SAIDI • Reduce crew time for restoration events • Reduced O&M spend • Hydraulic recloser monitoring • Vegetation management 7 Communicating FCIs • SAIDI/CAIDI reduction r N SAIDI i NT i CMI NT CAIDI r N N i i i CMI CI • Reduction in duration accomplished by targeted dispatching of crews to a fault • Strategic deployment of sensors • Integration into operations center • Accurate naming/phasing • Fault current magnitude for model-based fault location 8 Communicating FCIs • Condition-based maintenance on hydraulic reclosers • Preventative maintenance based on operation counters and fault current magnitude • Diagnose coordination issues • Vegetation management • Watch for high momentary fault counts • Dispatch trimming crews to areas with the most trouble to maximize the benefit for the investment 9 Capacitor Bank Monitors • Utility data suggests that 30% of capacitor banks are offline at any given time • Missing VAR support • Wasted capital spend • O&M spend on routine inspections • Better solution: condition-based monitoring 10 Capacitor Bank Monitors • Monitor the cap bank neutral for an abnormally high current, indicating a phase imbalance • Actuate an alarm • Dispatch a crew to inspect the banks on exception • Reduce or eliminate routine inspections • Benefits: • Less O&M spending on inspecting banks with no problems • Identify problems that may not be apparent on visual inspection • Problems addressed, VAR support restored sooner 11 Distribution System Monitors • Load Profiling • Smart sensors with load profiling ability can provide an inexpensive SCADA solution for small rural substations • Load profiling can provide valuable insight for system planning to multiple places along a feeder or at critical loads 12 Distribution System Monitors • Conservation Voltage Reduction (CVR) • Reducing voltage along the feeder is a proven method by which to reduce demand and energy • Voltage monitoring with smart sensors can serve as feedback to prevent violations of ANSI standard voltage ranges 13 Distribution System Monitors • Power Quality • Smart sensors can monitor the distribution line for voltage sag/swell events or harmonic distortion in response to customer complaints • Smart sensors with low cost of installation can serve as mobile troubleshooting tools 14 Conclusion • The market for smart sensors is diverse and expanding • Be aware of the technologies available • Keep in mind the primary needs of the business • Know how the solution will integrate into the utility’s daily operation 15 Contact Ryan L. Rausch, P.E. Eaton’s Cooper Power Systems RyanLRausch@Eaton.com +1 (763) 543-7680 16