Grid technology start-up Electrical Grid Monitoring (EGM) has deployed its multi-sensing system on transmission lines to increase network capacity and integrate more renewable energy into the grid.
The Meta-Alert Grid Operation and Management System will collect data on over 60 parameters, from voltage to temperature, across a 161kV transmission line in the Middle East.
This will enable Dynamic Line Rating (DLR), which harnesses favourable weather conditions to safely boost grid capacity without power lines overheating, helping bring more renewable energy into the grid.
Utilities can only estimate the temperature of overhead power lines which means transmission lines are often carrying up to 20% less than the true safe limits of their capacity.
This can leave transmission networks unable to move enough power from faraway renewable sources to support decarbonisation and meet demand for electricity.
Meta-Alert can analyse myriad environmental and other parameters in real-time which can be combined with weather forecasts to accurately predict the true potential load capacity of networks for days ahead, helping increase network efficiency and usage without new infrastructure.
The technology also provides live sensing, analytics, and reporting of every parameter from voltage levels and current capacity to the location of power loss or faults across entire networks.
This has additional applications from predictive maintenance and power loss prevention to balancing renewable supply and demand in real-time and even improving grid resilience against extreme weather.
Amir Cohen, Founder and CEO of EGM, said: “Electricity infrastructure has become the bottleneck in efforts to decarbonise our economies partly because a lack of data means we are under-estimating the true capacity of our transmission networks.
“With renewable generation projected to account for 50% of the power mix by 2030, operators need the ability to accurately estimate power line temperatures based on rich data analytics to help safely increase grid load so that transmission lines can integrate more renewable power.
“This world-first pilot of multi-sensing systems on transmission networks will show how advanced sensors and analytics could help us accurately measure line temperatures to safely maximise power grid capacity without costly new infrastructure.
“This could help reduce energy waste and boost the efficiency of existing infrastructure to address rising global energy costs and shortages.”