Performance Management

Reduce the time that hazards exist.

The “Last Gasp” loss-of-power report informs a control room immediately of a fault. This can mean that a crew can get to hazardous situation such as a “cable down” faster and reduce the time anyone is exposed to danger.

Whenever power is lost, PowerPilot uses a small amount of stored energy to report the outage. This immediate alert to the control room means a maintenance crew can be dispatched to restore connectivity, potentially even before the consumer notices.

PV & Electric Vehicles

Consumer PV installations and electric vehicle (EV) charging are emergent technologies that are already increasing impacts on electricity networks. Utilities need to start gathering data today to understand these trends and inform decision-making that can respond to changing demands.

The peak evening load on a network already stresses the network’s voltage and thermal limits in some places. When you add a 7kW load from an EV charger in just half the homes on a street at the start of the evening, this will require a managed response. PowerPilot devices directly monitor the evolution of the network.

If they are part of such installations, algorithms can be employed to signal these systems when the network needs a specific load to be isolated. This allows for time-shifting of the loads across the night on a special tariff plan similar to that used historically for water heaters. To ensure the customer receives the service they are expecting, including when they need advice about recharging, override signals can be built into the system to help manage the load and inform the consumer.

Earth Thefts

Earthing conductors are frequently targeted by thieves wanting to sell the copper for scrap, creating a serious hazard. Using PowerPilot to monitor the ratio of currents in the earth and neutral leads and analysing the network, you can detect an early indication of such a theft. You can also identify loose neutrals and other hazardous events to proactively respond to these issues.

Network Management

Good data can reduce capital expenditure on network equipment. Accurate data means that an expensive redundancy-based model for capacity is no longer necessary. CapEx is deferred by extending the life of equipment simply by using real data to ensure it is being properly utilised and not improperly loaded or driven past its limits.

Avoid replacing aging ripple control systems with expensive replacement ripple control systems; instead use PowerPilot for finer resolution management of controllable loads, at lower cost and with the option to control a wider variety of loads.

Supporting Microgrids and new network configurations a microgrid may operate in a grid-connected mode or may be isolated. It may draw on the network or sell energy onto the grid. PowerPilot not only provides the capabilities required at the connection point to achieve this but can be used throughout a microgrid for monitoring and control of elements and circuits.

Whether load aggregation is virtually or physically grouping consumers, PowerPilot devices can record the data required for the feasibility and success of these and other similar business models. Create what-if scenarios using actual data to make strategic decisions such as which electricity retailers to use and tactical decisions such as what loads to shed and when to switch them back in.

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