
Predictive ‘health’ analytics IoT system to protect NYS power grid
The Asset Health Management IoT application from Israeli sotware developer mPrest Systems for the New York Power Authority (NYPA) monitors the operational health of NYPA transformers in real time. This helps improve reliability and maximize efficiencies at NYPA’s Niagara Power Plant, which is one of the largest renewable energy sources in the US.
mPrest’s software taps into the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) to closely monitor equipment and systems outfitted with online and offline sensors, allowing for real time monitoring and data analysis as well as enhanced control capabilities. At the Niagara Power Plant, the software analyses information from sensors on electrical transformers to automatically diagnose their operational health and predict potential malfunctions and failures.
These new capabilities enable strategic maintenance of the transformers optimizing their efficiency, avoiding outages, reducing operational costs and supporting reliable power supply. The software combines offline dissolved gas analysis (DGA) with online DGA to provide precise guidance for when to undertake transformer maintenance for optimal performance.
Next: Collaboration
“Our partnership with the talented, forward thinking electricity engineers and experts at the New York Power Authority has resulted in the development and deployment of a first-of-its-kind, comprehensive monitoring and control system,” said Natan Barak, founder and President of mPrest.
“In a record amount of time, we, together with NYPA, determined what was needed, and created an unprecedented, effective solution that will reduce operational risks, deter unplanned down time, and prevent expensive maintenance costs. I believe that this technology achievement will lead to broader partnership between Israel and New York State.”
“Our transformer system is a critical piece of our statewide power infrastructure, raising the voltage or ‘electrical pressure’ of power so that it can be transmitted long distance over the state’s grid,” said Gil Quiniones, CEO of NYPA. “Through our collaboration with mPrest, we can now accurately predict potential failures through better diagnostics and prognosis.”
“As we actively pursue becoming the ‘first completely digital utility in the country,’ it is through cutting-edge technological innovation like this one, made possible with the intelligence, dedication and cooperation of our partners, that we have developed a unique, effective way of monitoring our transformers.”
Following testing using historical performance data by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), NYPA is looking at additional applications for this technology to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent by 2030.
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