I. Smart Grid Intelligence
Smart grid and enterprise digitalization are two sides of the same coin, inseparable. A digital grid platform is a crucial foundation for achieving enterprise digitalization based on grid digitalization.
The intelligence of a smart grid comprises two levels: First, equipment intelligence, achieved by incorporating advanced sensing, measurement, and control technologies into traditional electrical equipment. This intelligence includes the equipment's ability to sense its operating and health status, to be detected through proactive reporting, and to be remotely controlled, similar to the traditional "four remote" systems (remote sensing, remote operation, and remote monitoring). Then, through advanced communication and internet technologies, the Internet of Things (IoT) is achieved, forming what is known as the power IoT. Because power grid equipment is all-encompassing and widely distributed, it is also called the "ubiquitous power IoT." Second, the entire power grid becomes intelligent. After forming the power IoT, we utilize "cloud computing, big data, IoT, mobile applications, and artificial intelligence" (i.e., cloud computing, big data, IoT, mobile applications, and artificial intelligence) to varying degrees for the intelligent operation, control, and maintenance of the power grid, thus achieving the so-called power grid intelligence. The construction of a smart grid in a broad sense involves five major links: power generation, transmission, transformation, distribution, and consumption. It includes nine areas: clean and friendly power generation, safe and efficient transmission and transformation, flexible and reliable distribution, diverse and interactive consumption, smart energy and energy internet, fully interconnected communication network, efficient and interactive dispatch and control system, integrated and shared information platform, and comprehensive technical support system.
II. Smart Grid Condition-Based Maintenance
In this section, we will mainly learn about condition-based maintenance in smart grids.
Condition-based maintenance encompasses four fundamental aspects: collection and management of basic equipment data, evaluation of equipment condition, fault diagnosis and prediction of development trends, and assessment of remaining useful life. These are the basic tasks required for the utilization, maintenance, modification, and upgrading of assets throughout their entire lifecycle. Furthermore, the planning, design, and procurement management of assets also rely on feedback from historical data, condition records, and health records accumulated during equipment use and maintenance. The research content for condition-based maintenance and lifecycle management of transmission and transformation equipment for smart grids includes:
(1) Numerical prediction technology of fault modes and fault risks based on self-diagnosis function: Taking oil-immersed power transformers, circuit breakers and GIS as objects, on the basis of primary intelligent equipment, further research is carried out to increase self-detection parameters and improve self-detection function; in terms of self-diagnosis, research is carried out to improve the level of intelligence, realize numerical prediction of equipment failure probability and fault risk, and serve the safe operation and management of intelligent equipment and even power grid.
(2) Condition-based maintenance auxiliary decision-making: Based on the existing basic functions of condition-based maintenance auxiliary decision-making for power transmission and transformation equipment, research on maintenance plan arrangement and optimization technology based on condition-based maintenance, equipment condition analysis and fault diagnosis technology, standardization technology for typical defects of power transmission and transformation equipment, establishment and tracking technology for unique identification of equipment manufacturers, and online monitoring data access technology, and improve and expand the evaluation guidelines for power transmission and transformation equipment.
(3) Equipment operation and maintenance strategies for smart grids: Research substation inspection technologies, inspection items, and inspection technical specifications for smart grids; research power outage testing and maintenance strategies for smart grids; research and complete equipment power outage testing and maintenance modeling that conforms to the operating characteristics of smart grids; research on field maintenance, inspection, and verification technologies and strategies for intelligent accessories. Establish a set of equipment operation and maintenance technology and standard system for smart grids to meet the operation and management requirements of smart grids.
