Smart Grids: Romanian experience in on-line monitoring and condition assessment of high voltage substations

The paper presents the results of the correct on-line 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. The paper describes parts of the intelligent systems dedicated to on-line monitoring of all primary equipment used in the 400/110 kV Darste substation (the 400/110 kV Darste substation is the first high voltage substation completely on-line monitored in Romania). The complex system created for the on-line monitoring of 400/110 kV Darste substation includes 167 NOVA EMCSIT systems designed for the on-line monitoring of power transformers, shunt reactors, circuit breakers, disconnectors, voltage/current transformers and surge arresters. These intelligent monitoring systems are used stand-alone or 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 and surge arresters in the Romanian Transmission Power Grid.