In today’s competitive environment, there is an increased pressure on the distribution network operators to manage the state of the networks in real time to ensure reliable services. The regulators have enforced stringent guidelines and performance benchmarks (such as CAIDI, CAIFI, CI and CML), and there are heavy penalties for not adhering to these standards.  This combined with the growing awareness of the customers of their rights to demand better services under the new electricity regulations have driven the distribution utilities to introduce innovative ways of managing their networks more efficiently and effectively. As a result, sensor-based technologies have assumed significance in managing low voltage networks down to the last mile.
Some of the key application where sensor based technologies are being used by the utilities for improving operations, revenues and energy efficiency are:

Asset management system
Transformer monitoring system
Fault management and service restoration
Real time network analysis
Power quality monitoring
Peak load management
Automated demand response.
  Asset management systemOne of the main challenges of the distribution utilities is track their network assets throughout the life cycle, in order to manage assets costs with greater efficiency and higher profitability. Utilities are exploring new technologies for precise inventory control, with the ability to manage, track and secure critical assets in real-time, as part of the strategy.
The most commonly used technology is the “wireless” tracking devices. Tiny wireless RFID (radio frequency identification) tags can be placed on a network asset such as distribution transformer or smart meter. These RFID devices communicate with the intelligent asset management system, which helps the utilities in asset planning, deployment, tracking and optimisation. The active RFID tags are attached to assets which are to be tracked or monitored. These tags communicate with RF sensors strategically located near the assets and linked via wireless repeaters or a data communication bus to the asset management application, which then displays the real-time location of the tagged assets. The complete history of an asset or its movement is logged by the system through the use of active asset tags.
Transformer monitoring systemDistribution transformer is the heart of the LV distribution networks. The health of the Distribution transformer has to be monitored at all times to ensure continuous and reliable supply of electricity services.  Introduction of sensors for on-line monitoring of key operating parameters reduces the risk of transformer failure and cuts maintenance costs.
The parameters which can be monitored on a Distribution transformer are:

Surface temperature
Winding temperature
Transformer oil level
Oil temperature
Gas and moisture in transformer oil.
Monitoring of the above parameters involves on-line collection of data using sensor based measurements and transmitting the data to the remote monitoring application through suitable communication systems e.g. RF or ZigBee communication. The failures of transformers in service are broadly due to temperature rise, low oil levels, over load, poor quality of connections or improper installation.  
Monitoring sensor data of distribution transformer for critical parameters of surface temperature, low oil level and over load could be utilised to take proactive action in fault prevention, thus increasing the reliability of distribution network. 
Fault management and service restorationFault passage current sensors on LV distribution systems can measure the current flow in real time and help in the early detection of overloading, short circuit or earth fault. The current signals can be graphically displayed on a remote Digital Fault Recorder (DFR) and the information could be utilised to validate the location of possible fault occurrence. Early detection of an impending fault can provide operators with a better understanding of the vulnerable sections of the network and the maintenance crew can be dispatched to reinforce those sections before a catastrophic fault may occur.
 There is increased pressure from regulators and customers to reduce the number and duration of outages. Imposition of stiff penalties on utilities for poor network performance is incentivising the use of sensors for better management of power distribution system, early fault detection and pre-empting power outages. Utilities are therefore considering deployment of current sensors (Rogowski Coils, Hall Effect sensors) for better fault management and achieving regulatory targets of network performance through:

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 In today’s competitive environment, there is an increased pressure on the distribution network operators to manage the state of the networks in real time to ensure reliable services. The regulators have enforced stringent guidelines and performance benchmarks (such as CAIDI, CAIFI, CI and CML), and there are heavy penalties for not adhering to these standards.  This combined with the growing awareness of the customers of their rights to demand better services under the new electricity regulations have driven the distribution utilities to introduce innovative ways of managing their networks more efficiently and effectively. As a result, sensor-based technologies have assumed significance in managing low voltage networks down to the last mile.
Some of the key application where sensor based technologies are being used by the utilities for improving operations, revenues and energy efficiency are:

Asset management system
Transformer monitoring system
Fault management and service restoration
Real time network analysis
Power quality monitoring
Peak load management
Automated demand response.
  Asset management systemOne of the main challenges of the distribution utilities is track their network assets throughout the life cycle, in order to manage assets costs with greater efficiency and higher profitability. Utilities are exploring new technologies for precise inventory control, with the ability to manage, track and secure critical assets in real-time, as part of the strategy.
The most commonly used technology is the “wireless” tracking devices. Tiny wireless RFID (radio frequency identification) tags can be placed on a network asset such as distribution transformer or smart meter. These RFID devices communicate with the intelligent asset management system, which helps the utilities in asset planning, deployment, tracking and optimisation. The active RFID tags are attached to assets which are to be tracked or monitored. These tags communicate with RF sensors strategically located near the assets and linked via wireless repeaters or a data communication bus to the asset management application, which then displays the real-time location of the tagged assets. The complete history of an asset or its movement is logged by the system through the use of active asset tags.
Transformer monitoring systemDistribution transformer is the heart of the LV distribution networks. The health of the Distribution transformer has to be monitored at all times to ensure continuous and reliable supply of electricity services.  Introduction of sensors for on-line monitoring of key operating parameters reduces the risk of transformer failure and cuts maintenance costs.
The parameters which can be monitored on a Distribution transformer are:

Surface temperature
Winding temperature
Transformer oil level
Oil temperature
Gas and moisture in transformer oil.
Monitoring of the above parameters involves on-line collection of data using sensor based measurements and transmitting the data to the remote monitoring application through suitable communication systems e.g. RF or ZigBee communication. The failures of transformers in service are broadly due to temperature rise, low oil levels, over load, poor quality of connections or improper installation.  
Monitoring sensor data of distribution transformer for critical parameters of surface temperature, low oil level and over load could be utilised to take proactive action in fault prevention, thus increasing the reliability of distribution network. 
Fault management and service restorationFault passage current sensors on LV distribution systems can measure the current flow in real time and help in the early detection of overloading, short circuit or earth fault. The current signals can be graphically displayed on a remote Digital Fault Recorder (DFR) and the information could be utilised to validate the location of possible fault occurrence. Early detection of an impending fault can provide operators with a better understanding of the vulnerable sections of the network and the maintenance crew can be dispatched to reinforce those sections before a catastrophic fault may occur.
 There is increased pressure from regulators and customers to reduce the number and duration of outages. Imposition of stiff penalties on utilities for poor network performance is incentivising the use of sensors for better management of power distribution system, early fault detection and pre-empting power outages. Utilities are therefore considering deployment of current sensors (Rogowski Coils, Hall Effect sensors) for better fault management and achieving regulatory targets of network performance through:

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