Fault Management for Future Distribution Systems

The project aims at developing new cost-efficient technologies for fault management in distribution networks. The importance of cost-efficient solutions increase rapidly, and reducing the time spent for localization and sectionalizing of the network becom es more and more important to reduce penalty costs (KILE). Specialized equipment for fault localisation and early warnings will be more important in near future. The largest European energy operators has gained interest for the project and their participa tion will ensure proper guidance according to the needs foreseen by these large institutions together with several pioneering Norwegian utilities. The introduction of a reliable technology for detection of downed and broken conductors represents a major breaktrough in humansafety since these faults only occasionally are treated correctly by todays protective relays. Many faults are not disconnected and represents a major social risk for all living creatures. Governmental directories has emphasized the ne ed for such solutions. These units will also contribute to monitoring of distribution transformers through surveillance of disneuters, secondary earthfaults, overtemperature etc. (reducing risk of fire in LV installations). Power Quality monitoring is al so included to give early warnings to the utility and to fulfil governmental requirements for documentation of PQ delivered to customers. New smart and wireless phase-mounted sensors will enable remote monitoring of power lines. Earthfault detection in m ultilevel lines, load/fault currents, line temperature and vibration measurement are some examples of application. Focus on DG (Distributed Generation) is increasing. The utilities needs a scalable tool for remote monitoring and control in order to have a secure and flexible integration of such units in the grid. A mikro-SCADA system well suited for these purposes will be developed in order to meet requirements from users, utilities and the government