KEPCO Electric Power Co. and Siemens start developing next-generation transformer inspection technology
KEPCO Electric Power Research Institute signed an agreement with Siemens Industries to develop next-generation transformer inspection technology with Isaac Engineering. From left: Oh Byung-joon, CEO of Siemens Industries, Kim Sook-cheol, President of KEPCO Electric Power Research Institute, and Kim Chang-soo, CEO of Isaac Engineering. [Provided by KEPCO Electric Power Research Institute]
Korea Electric Power Research Institute announced on the 12th that it has signed a memorandum of understanding for technical cooperation to utilize the open IoT platform of next-generation transformer sensor diagnosis technology with Siemens Industry Software, an industrial software company, and Isaac Engineering, a smart factory company.
Transformers account for more than half of the causes of power outages, so it is necessary to develop a system that monitors the condition periodically. However, a lot of cost and manpower are consumed to construct a comprehensive preventive diagnosis system for substation facilities. Since last year, Korea Electric Power Research Institute has been developing a next-generation transformer sensor diagnosis technology that can replace expensive transformer diagnosis technology.
When abnormal phenomena such as overheating occur inside a device such as a transformer, various gases are generated as the internal insulating oil is thermally decomposed. At this time, by analyzing the amount and composition of the gas, it becomes possible to measure the presence or absence of abnormalities in the transformer and the level of danger.
The Korea Electric Power Research Institute has developed a semiconductor-type sensor capable of measuring up to 10 ppm of hydrogen gas required for monitoring and measuring the condition of a transformer. It also plans to develop acetylene and carbon monoxide sensors by the end of this year. KEPCO’s semiconductor sensor is developed in the form of a probe that can be inserted into the transformer, enabling real-time identification of transformer status information.
However, in order to operate a gas analyzer abroad, it is necessary to establish a data analysis system other than the gas analyzer. The Korea Electric Power Research Institute plans to build a system that can easily diagnose the condition of a transformer using a gas analyzer simply by connecting to an open IoT platform.
An official of the Korea Electric Power Research Institute said, “Through the signing of this memorandum of understanding, the Korea Electric Power Research Institute developed a’gas monitor for real-time transformer condition monitoring’ that can be connected to the open IoT platform operated by Siemens, and launched a’gas data analysis system’ with Isaac Engineering. We plan to promote commercialization for overseas electric power companies.”