High Voltage & Power System Plant
HV research has been an integral part of the work of the EEPS group since the 1950’s when the first laboratory was opened at the University. The National Grid High Voltage Research Centre is now home to the largest HV laboratory of any UK University and is capable of testing equipment designed for use on the 400kV power system.
Research work in the facility is split into a number of areas. Particular areas of competency include transformer insulation and monitoring, polymeric insulation and power system transients. We develop condition monitoring and lifetime assessment techniques for ageing power system plant infrastructure, study all the technical issues related to application of novel insulation materials in power system plant, and participate into technology innovation for aerospace applications.
Leading faculty members:
Dr Simon Rowland
Reliability of dielectric materials,
polymeric insulation systems, reliability statistics,
application of optical fibres on high voltage lines
Dr Rowland is co-chair of the IEEE Dielectric and Electrical Insulation Society Multifactor Stress Committee, and has been elected onto the Society’s AdCom. He is a Fellow of the IET and was awarded the Duddell premium in 1994.
Dr Zhongdong Wang
Transformer modelling (transient distribution, FRA and PD location), partial discharges and DGA, ageing of oil/cellulose insulation and their dielectric performance, new transformer insulating fluids, detection of winding movement using frequency response analysis
Dr Zhongdong Wang is a CIGRE A2.26 working group and CIGRE TF15 member.
Dr Ian Cotton
Higher voltage aerospace / aircraft power systems, high voltage power electronic module design,
power system transients, lightning protection,
stray current induced corrosion / induced pipeline voltages
Dr Cotton is a member of the IEC 61400-24 ‘Lightning Protection For Wind Turbine Generators’ Committee. In 2006, he received the Royal Academy of Engineering Teaching Award. He is a Member of both the IET and IEEE and a Chartered Engineer.
Current research projects:
- Lightning protection of wind turbines (Supergen V – Wind Energy Technology, EPSRC)
- Partial discharge in aerospace power electronics (MOET, European Commission)
- Partial discharge in power electronics (IeMRC via EPSRC)
- Higher voltage aerospace power systems (Rolls Royce)
- Stimulating Sustainability (EPSRC)
- Ageing Mechanisms in Composite Insulators (National Grid)
- Methods of reducing microshocks (National Grid)
- Optimising utility infrastructure (Part of Supergen V – Asset management and performance in Energy Systems – AMPerES - EPSRC)
- Ageing mechanisms in plant (Part of Supergen V – Asset management and performance in Energy Systems – AMPerES - EPSRC)
- MV composite insulator management (EdF Energy)
- Ferroresonance of power transformers and its damaging mechanism (National Grid)
- Alternative oils for large power transformers (AREVA T&D, EdF Energy, National Grid, M&I Materials, Scottish Power, United Utilties)
- Dielectric capability of aged transformer insulation systems (National Grid)
- Frequency response analysis for diagnosing transformer winding movement (National Grid, AREVA Power Transformers, EPSRC)
- Lifetime management of power transformers - model based approach (TNB)