Smart grids: On-line monitoring and condition assessment of high voltage substations

The paper presents the results of the correct online evaluation of the current technical condition of the electrical equipment in high voltage substations owned and operated by Romanian Power Grid Company - CNTEE Transelectrica SA, using intelligent monitoring systems. During 2010-2013, CNTEE Transelectrica implemented a Smart Grid pilot project consisting of the on-line monitoring and diagnosis of all the primary equipment (power transformers, shunt reactors, circuit-breakers, disconnectors, current and voltage transformers, surge arresters) of three high voltage power substations, namely 400/110 kV Darste, 220/110 kV Gradiste and 220/110 kV Mostistea substations. The paper describes parts of the intelligent systems dedicated to on-line monitoring of all primary equipment used in the mentioned substations, such as the EMCSIT systems. These intelligent monitoring systems are used stand-alone and within the integrated system for on-line monitoring and condition assessment of a substation. The paper also describes NOVA INFOStation - the software that integrates the mentioned intelligent systems as a whole and also links them to Transpower - the integrated software designed for managing the technical condition and maintenance of the substation equipment: power transformers, shunt reactors, current and voltage transformers, circuit breakers, disconnectors etc., part of the Romanian Transmission Power Grid.