Novel sub-station power monitor gets Innovate UK grant

42 Technology has won an Innovate UK grant towards commercial development of a remote monitoring system for the UK’s network of electricity sub-stations, of which there are 400,000 according to 42.

The phase one grant will see 42 Technology working with the UK’s Power Networks Demonstration Centre (PNDC) in Glasgow (pictured) to develop the business case for the system.

“It will potentially allow distribution network operating companies [‘DNOs’] to accurately monitor the performance of every substation within their part of the network,” said 42.

It is based on the consultancy’s prototyped (see photo) and patented ‘Triple Ohm’ three-phased metering technology, which is claimed to combine high isolation voltage (15kV in the prototype) and high rate sampling with a simple interface to wired and wireless comms networks – Electronics Weekly has requested further details.

“The system is being specifically designed with a target price of around £100 per installation,” said 42 MD Jeremy Carey.

The work with PNDC will include development of a recommended system design, plus figuring out how to take it further with one or more UK-based DNOs – both technically and commercially.

The prototype in the photo has terminals for connecting three Rogowski coils (not shown) to the screw input terminals.

PNDC’s facility in Cumbernauld includes primary and secondary substations, overhead and urban cabling, and a fault thrower. It is a venture between the University of Strathclyde, Scottish Enterprise, the Scottish Funding Council, Scottish Power and Scottish and Southern Energy.