Power plant products |


Lucy Electric launches AI fault detection technology


Lucy Electric has announced the launch of a new AI-driven technology, called SYNAPS, designed to identify faults on the low-voltage network. It is a fault detection, classification and accurate location solution that uses AI and machine learning that works by using sensors at a substation and feeder level to build a ‘digital twin’ of the network and detect anomalies in grid performance, analysis of which can pinpoint the probable location of an intermittent fault, allowing the fault to be fixed before it creates further disruption.


The development, said to be a significant


enhancement of Lucy Electric’s GridKey grid monitoring and fault detection solutions, brings together existing advanced grid monitoring capabilities with cutting edge AI to ‘revolutionise fault detection and asset management’ for underground cables. The system has already undergone successful innovation trials with several UK distribution network operators, according to Lucy Electric.


The AI uses the ‘digital twin’ to simulate faults in millions of scenarios, with machine learning technology then comparing this to the measured network data captured when there is a current


Hithium launches 5 MWh container storage


Hithium has launched a new 5 MWh energy storage product based on the standard 20–foot container structure and said to exhibit 46% higher energy density compared to its predecessor. The compact second generation higher-capacity energy storage system comes pre-installed and ready to connect, and consists of 48 battery modules based on the manufacturer’s new 314 Ah LFP cells, each module providing 104.5 kWh storage capacity and designed to meet the needs of large utility scale


systems for peak shaving and frequency regulation. Safety features include liquid-cooling technology and smart thermal management


The standard plant includes a 198 MWh LFP (lithium iron phosophate) battery energy storage systems together with a 2 MWh VRB (vanadium redox battery) system, a 220 kV booster station, and a single-loop transmission line. The product solutions have been supplied by XJ Group Corporation.


To meet continuing demand from large- scale energy storage projects, Hithium, which is based in Xiamen China, is planning to expand production capacity to 70 GWh by the end of 2023.


Covered conductor trial begins in New South Wales


Amokabel, the Swedish specialist cable producer, has supplied the first lightweight covered conductor to New South Wales, Australia, for the regional distribution network service provider (DNSP), Ausgrid. The installation is part of a trial on an 11 kV line in the Sydney suburb of St Ives, which aims to test the performance and reliability of the covered conductor.


The technology consists of conductive wire surrounded by an insulating jacket made of advanced lightweight insulation materials that improves reliability but adds minimal weight. This


means that it can be restrung on existing poles to save the DNSP – and therefore the consumer – the cost of replacing infrastructure. Ausgrid’s goal for the trial is compare this new technology with its existing methods. Lightweight covered conductor is far more resilient than bare wire and is said to be significantly easier to install than older covered conductor technologies. It is highly resistant to dropped tree branches, a common cause of outages. The technology is also safer for people and wildlife. If the 11 kV trial line is successful, Ausgrid will consider deploying a higher-rated version of the covered conductor for 33 kV lines.


Rob Bradley, senior engineer, Transmission Engineering at Ausgrid, commented: “Our first installation of the new CCSX covered conductor system went well, installed quickly with no problems experienced and positive feedback from our field crews.”


Left: Installing the sealed covering


Right: Covered conductor prevents faults from dropped branches


40 | September 2023| www.modernpowersystems.com


As an additional benefit, this kind of covered conductor can also help to reduce the risk of bushfire by 98.8% compared with bare wire. This is because, unlike bare wire, an overhead line of this type does not produce sparks when it contacts dry foliage or other objects.


transient – a so called “pecking event”. This is a highly effective way of locating cable faults, as it works not just with large transients where there is an immediate chance of the fuse operating, but also with very small transients typical of the start of a cable fault.


The method allows network operators to repair more faults as part of planned maintenance before they cause outages. As unplanned maintenance typically costs up to three times the amount for planned maintenance, the system provides significant cost saving potential.


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