Synaptec has launched a real-time data analytics platform which reveals previously hidden indicators about networks, enabling network operators and generators to effectively predict outages and significantly reduce operations and maintenance costs.
The new software platform, called Synthesis, was developed by Synaptec’s Head of Power System Technologies, Dr Steven Blair, in direct response to the pressing need for detailed visibility of electrical networks as they become increasingly complex.
Synthesis has been designed to build upon the unique capabilities of Synaptec’s distributed sensing hardware and is designed specifically to work with continuous point-on-wave (CPOW) data, and cope with the visualisation and analytics needs for large-scale monitoring schemes. To this end it’s being trialed with ORE Catapult and Innovate UK through their REACTION project.
Summary of the important electrical and mechanical measurements, across all monitored locations, in real time
The software platform works by accessing multiple high-resolution data streams from Synaptec’s sensor platform, to fully leverage the unique capabilities of the hardware. It supports any combination of electrical and mechanical sensors, visually summarises their outputs, shows measurements in a geographical context, and securely archives important data.
Detailed, high-fidelity data streams for each monitored location
Steven said:
“Synthesis automatically produces summarised data formats, such as synchrophasor outputs and power quality metrics. It also implements additional processing and analytics to extract everything possible from the detailed data, to minimise the effort required by our customers to deal with this themselves. It means that operators are not overwhelmed with raw data points from CPOW monitoring.
This is crucial as the availability and processing of detailed data from multiple inputs enables greater possibilities for asset management and a definitive leap forward in the role of data in managing electrical networks and smart grids. We’re able to monitor and visualise the status of power system assets (cables, circuit breakers, wind turbines, and so on) with very detailed measurements – at a high sampling rate.”
Steven adds:
“This is a radical upgrade even compared to synchrophasor-based monitoring. With Synthesis we are able to aggregate both electrical and mechanical measurements within the same unified visualisation and analysis platform. The result is that, for the first time, the transmission and distribution sector can overcome the major challenges of cost-effective condition monitoring and prognostics.”
The trial with ORE Catapult and Innovate UK at Levenmouth is now streaming live data which will be collected and analysed by Steven and the team at Synaptec. The information gathered will support the future development of Synthesis and provide the T&D sector with much needed progress in software and data platforms.