1. Advanced Sensors for the Smartgrid
How to deal with existing switchgear in Secondary Substations
Authors:
Aitor Arzuaga
Jose Antonio Moreno
Covadonga Coca

2. The Diversity of the Distribution Grid
The Grid has evolved over time, patchwork.
Decades-old equipment.
Limited investment in distribution grids.
Different types of switchgear:
Masonry Air Insulated Gas (SF6) Insulated
Aitor Arzuaga – Spain – Session 1 Network Components – Paper 1091

3. Voltage Sensors Monitor voltage (magnitude / phase): Limitations:
Transformer-based.
Dividers (capacitive, resistive).
Limitations:
Dimensions (existing space).
Installation.
Accuracy.
Parasitics.
Aitor Arzuaga – Spain – Session 1 Network Components – Paper 1091

4. Current Sensors Monitor current in MV conductors. Limitations:
Rogowski coils.
Fe Current transformers.
Fiber optics.
Limitations:
External conductor shielding.
Tradeoff installation simplicity vs accuracy.
Safety (open circuit).
Aitor Arzuaga – Spain – Session 1 Network Components – Paper 1091

5. PLC Coupling Devices Couple PLC communications signal into MV lines.
Inductive couplers.
Capacitive couplers.
Limitations:
Frequency / bandwidth.
Impedance.
Security.
Installation complexity.
Aitor Arzuaga – Spain – Session 1 Network Components – Paper 1091

6. The road to Integration
Integration is the path to follow in existing MV distribution grids:
Lack of space in switchgear.
Installation time / cost.
Security (devices tapped into MV).
Enabler of Smartgrid in existing grid.
Types:
Voltage + current.
Voltage + PLC coupler.
Voltage + current + PLC coupler.
Aitor Arzuaga – Spain – Session 1 Network Components – Paper 1091

7. Conclusions
Different solutions exist with different levels of precision, cost and installation complexity.
The diversity of the MV grid requires a range of sensor solutions to cope with its diversity.
Sensors can be integrated to fit space limited applications, technically complex.
Precision requirements for analog measuments have to be carefully analyzed, tradeoffs made.
Aitor Arzuaga – Spain – Session 1 Network Components – Paper 1091

8. Thank you! a.arzuaga@ziv.es