Clean Energy Series: Technology Insights from University Innovators. Applications Center. Rick Hartlein

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1 Clean Energy Series: Technology Insights from University Innovators National Electric Energy Testing, Research and Applications Center Rick Hartlein

2 About NEETRAC Electric Energy, Membership based R&D Center in the School of ECE Began in 1996 with the transfer of the Georgia Power Research Center to Georgia Tech Consortium focus Self-supporting Work with a wide variety of academic units and GTRI 33 Staff (engineers, technicians, admin.) $6,000,000+ operation Serve as the gateway to all of Georgia Tech for our Members 20 Acre R&D Facility in Forest Park, GA 2

3 About NEETRAC Scope Electric Energy Delivery (T&D) Reliability & efficiency improvement Systems analysis Technology development Asset optimization Total cost reduction Safety Missioni To provide a venue where NEETRAC Staff, NEETRAC Members and the Georgia Tech Academic community can collaborate to solve problems in the Electric Energy Transmission & Distribution Arena. Vision We will build on our expertise to become the leading national Center for collaborative applied and strategic t research and development for Electric Energy Transmission and Distribution. Preferred Locally, Respected Globally 3

4 Current Membership Began in 1996 with 10 Member Companies Now have 37 Electric utilities Companies that provide products and services to utilities. NEETRAC Member Utilities Serve 60+% of US Electric Customers 4

5 Electric Energy Industry The Issues The economic significance of electricity is staggering. Total asset value is close to $1 trillion. It is estimated that outages cost the economy well over $100 billion annually. The electric energy industry is experiencing unprecedented changes: The electric grid is under significant pressure New types of generation added at multiple locations (distributed generation) Much of the infrastructure is older than its designed service life It is expected to be much smarter than in the past (addition of intelligent control and communications systems) Loads are increasing Load types are changing Reliability expectations are increasing Electric energy is utilized in new and different ways New machine designs Power electronics Electric vehicles 5

6 Electric Delivery Industry The Issues

7 Electric Delivery Industry The Solution We need a new approach to designing, operating, managing, delivering, controlling and using electric energy is needed. Deploy new technologies Optimize the use of existing assets Diagnosticsi Asset Management Understand the existing grid Aging Knowledge preservation Training/education Increase grid intelligence (smart grid) Sensors Communications Computing Cyber Security

8 Electric Delivery Industry NEETRAC Well positioned to address the issues: Catalyst that links utilities, manufacturers and all resources at Georgia Tech. Use business management processes (ISO 9001 & ISO accredited) Attractive contracting terms and conditions. Solid resources to meet industry needs. Intellectual Experience (>450 years) High Voltage High Current High Power (Through agreement with S&C Company) Mechanical Invest in our resources Actively engage our Members Provide practical solutions to real problems Only consortium of this type in the US

9 Focus Areas PRIMARY FOCUS AREA Hardware/Equipment Testing New Technology/Research Reliability System Analysis Application Research Product Evaluation FOCUS SEGMENTS Engineering Analysis & Support Equipment Spec. & Test Protocol Development New Product Development Research System Enhancements Asset Management Condition Assessment Forensics Operation, Installation, Design Power Quality/Grounding Safety Training/Education 9

10 Ladder of Asset management Level 5 - Condition Based Prioritization: Optimization of resources and benefits over time Level 4 - Probabilistic Integration: Assessment of population at risk Level 3 - Asset Modeling: Use of diagnostics to estimate probability of failure Integration of Asset Selection and Prioritization Example Collaborative Projects A t M t Asset Management Asset Prioritization Level 2 - Ratios Dynamic: Cost-Benefit analysis considering failure trends and evaluation of long terms benefits Level 1- Ratios - Snapshot: Cost-Benefit analysis considering current assessment of cost, criticality, and asset condition Level 0 - Reactive Maintenance: Run to failure Evolution of Asset Management Concepts Asset Selection (projects) Asset Prioritization ct Poles Percent of Rejec Wood Poles Pine Poles Age of Reject Poles (years) ed (%) Number Rejecte Now Years in the Future

11 Example Projects - Analytical Paper Cable Knowledge Preservation BASIC FACT MODULE KBS Data to have at hand Where to look for information CONTEXT MAP MODULE LITERATURE DATABASE Global picture of the industry Clusters of utilities based on similarities Who looks like me Relevant literature on paper cable systems CONDITION ASSESSMENT MODULE Cause/Diagnostic/ Remediation Visualization tool for life usage 11

12 To maximize the use of their assets, utilities are now loading their overhead lines more than ever. This causes the lines (wires) to operate at ever er higher temperatures. At these temperatures, there is a need to clarify the impact of conductor design and conductor tension on core-to-surface temperature drop. This temperature gradient across the conductor can impact how much the line sags as the load increases. Example Projects - Analytical 12

13 Example Projects - New Technologies Directional Active Harmonic Filter Thermochromatic Paint Voltage Voltage Current Current Voltage Injection Voltage Injection Self powered sensor for measuring current, temperature and voltage. Perce ent % 5.84 % Moisture in Paper Cable 95 % 80 % 20 New/Old Moisture Content [%] 7 8 New Old 9 13

14 NEETRAC is working with Smart Wire Grid to develop a solution for controlling power flow within the electric grid to better manage unused transmission line capacity. The 300,000 miles of high-voltage transmission line in the U.S. today are congested and inefficient, with only around 50% of all transmission capacity utilized at any given time. NEETRAC s role is to assist with prototype development and evaluate the performance before installation on power lines. Example Projects DOE ARPAe Distributed Power Flow Control 14

15 NEETRAC is working with Varentec to develop compact, low-cost transmission power controllers o with fractional power rating for controlling power flow on transmission networks. Example Projects DOE ARPAe Dynamic Power Flow Controller The technology will enhance grid operations through improved use of current assets by dramatically reducing the number of transmission lines that have to be built to accommodate renewable energy sources like wind and solar. The ability to affordably and dynamically control power flow could open up new competitive energy markets which are not possible under the current regulatory structure and technology base. 15

16 Example Projects DOE ARPAe Georgia Tech is developing a decentralized, autonomous, internetlike control architecture and control software system for the electric power grid. Autonomous, Decentralized Grid Architecture Georgia Tech s new architecture is based on the emerging concept of electricity prosumers economically motivated actors that can produce, consume, or store electricity. This is in marked contrast to the current one-way, centralized control paradigm. 16

17 Summary 17