Work Packages
Work package 1: Determination of the housings’ physical/chemical parameters affecting the functionality of the insulators.
This WP consists of 5 tasks. Within Task 1.1, samples of insulator housings will be collected from various sites of Crete, having different age, degradation state and composition (different product or producer) as well as from different positions of the insulator. Then, Task 1.2 will concern the structural (Raman, FTIR, EDS), morphological (SEM, AFM, electrical (leakage current) and hydrophobic (contact angle determination) characterization of these samples as well as newly deposited polymeric housings. Special attention will be given to the modifications attained in old and/or degraded samples regarding their basic characteristics with respect to new and unexposed samples. This information will be employed in Task 1.3, so that, the physical/chemical parameters mainly affecting the functionality of the insulators can be determined. Finally, task 1.5 will deal with the development of a website regarding the polymeric outdoor insulators and the project. A testing transformer and a control desk for ElecTEIC and data acquisition systems for field measurements and sensors for PPC must be procured towards the characterization (WP1), ageing (WP2) and prototype setup testing (WP5), as reflected in the equipment cost declared in this WP for ElecTEIC and PPC respectively.
Work package 2: Artificial and field ageing and its influence on the basic characteristics and the functionality of the insulators.
This WP consists of 5 tasks. Task 2.1 will concern the preparation of new SIR samples from different suppliers and different composition on suitable substrates. Then, within Tasks 2.2, these samples will undergo artificial ageing under pollution and electrical stress (ElecTEIC) and heat/radiation stress (FORTH/IESL), while, Task 2.3 deals with intensive field ageing under the influence of pollution and electrical stress (PPC). At various ageing stages, the aged samples will be characterized regarding the physical/chemical parameters affecting the functionality of the insulators (chosen in WP 1), the results being compared with those of reference samples. This characterization/comparison processes will lead to the determination of the environmental factors mainly affecting the polymeric housing of the outdoor insulator by the climatic conditions of Greece and proximity to the sea. Finally, task 2.5 concerns the preparation and submission of 1 publications and the participation in 1 conference.
Work package 3: Evaluation of the performance of optical techniques in recognizing the functionality of insulators.
This WP involves 4 tasks. Task 3.1 will deal with the laboratory investigation of the performance of three optical diagnostic techniques (spectral imaging, laser induced fluorescence and laser induced breakdown spectroscopy) in the identification of the age and the degradation state of various SIR samples (new and naturally or artificially or field aged). Similarly, Task 3.2 concerns the respective field investigation regarding the same optical diagnostic techniques. For that scope, the laboratory setups will be transferred to the research station of PPC in Linoperamata. Following the results of the previous two tasks, within Task 3.3, the optical diagnostic technique offering the more accurate diagnosis regarding the operational state and the forthcoming functionality of the SIR samples will be chosen so that a prototype diagnostic setup will be developed. Based on the best operational parameters established in WP1 and WP2 the necessary assemblies and subassemblies must be procured towards this end, as reflected in the equipment cost for WP3 of FORTH-IESL. Finally, task 3.4 concerns the participation in a conference.
Work package 4: Development, testing and optimization of the diagnosis model
This WP involves 4 tasks. Task 4.1 will deal with the correlation of the results of the previous 3 WPs, the physical/chemical parameters affecting the functionality of the insulators, the modifications attained by the SIR housing under various environmental factors and the diagnosis results of the optimum diagnostic technique. Using this correlation, within task 4.2, the appropriate diagnosis model (software) will be developed, while task 4.3 will deal with its testing and optimization. For the testing and optimization of the diagnosis model, new, aged and degraded SIR samples with known characteristics and functionality will be employed. Mobile computer support for the instrument and necessary software licensing is reflected in the equipment costs for WP4 for FORTH-IESL. Finally, task 4.4 concerns an international workshop regarding polymeric outdoor insulators.
Work package 5: Development and field testing of the optimum diagnostic technique.
This WP involves 2 tasks. Task 5.1 will deal with the design and the development of a prototype optical diagnostic setup following the results of WPs 1,2,3 and 4. This prototype will include suitable hardware and software so that the results from a diagnosis could be correlated with the basic characteristics, the operational state and the forthcoming functionality of the insulator under investigation. Initially, within Task 5.2, the prototype diagnostic setup will be initially tested and optimized in lab scale regarding the evaluation of the functionality of insulators with known behavior. Then, the remote and real time evaluation will be performed in the research station of PPC in Linoperamata. Finally, the prototype diagnostic setup will be employed for the prediction of the functionality and stability of various insulators exposed in various environmental factors in various sites of the electrical power system of Crete.
Work package 6: Design of a new polymeric material.
This WP involves 2 tasks. Task 6.1 concerns the determination of the properties required in polymeric housing of outdoor insulators for the region of Greece and in general the Mediterranean countries, using the results of WPs 1 and 2. Regarding Task 6.2, this will deal with the design of new composite materials that might be suitable as the housing for outdoor high voltage insulators. Special attention will be given to their capability to withstand the conditions in Crete and more general, the Mediterranean countries.
Work package 7: Impact.
This WP consists of 3 tasks. Task 7.1 will deal with the collection of data regarding the performance of the prototype system for remote, real time diagnosis of the functionality of the composite insulators. These data will be then used for techno-economical and environmental studies regarding both the improvement of the performance of the electrical energy system and its influence for the environmental impacts of the failure of the insulators. Regarding tasks 7.2 and 7.3, these will deal with a life cycle analysis and a feasibility study of the new system regarding remote, real time diagnosis of the functionality of the composite insulators. In addition, this WP will deal with the coordination, management and implementation of the project. Regarding the management, the coordinator will act as the central manager, each partner dealing with his particular budget. The Steering /Technical Committee will inspect the efficient and timely implementation of the individual activities and the preparation of the reports in collaboration with the WP leaders.
