Online Monitoring of Protection Systems: Pilot Project

Project ID: 21027
Principal Investigator: Stephen Agee
Research Topic: Improved Power Generation
Funded Fiscal Years: 2021, 2022 and 2023
Keywords: None

Research Question

This project will develop and install online protection system monitoring on two generators, a generator step-up (GSU) transformer and the 125VDC battery system as a prototype system at Glen Canyon Power Plant. The controller would be programmed to continuously interrogate the connected relays, meters and battery monitor to insure near continuous monitoring of the protection system. If deteriorated performance is detected, the Glen Canyon Control Center would receive an alarm.

Need and Benefit

Reclamation's Research Priority 2 is to "Streamline Regulatory Processes and Remove Unnecessary Burdens to Provide More Water and Power Supply Reliability." The project furthers this priority in two ways. First, the online monitoring system should significantly reduce the regulatory burden to comply with the NERC PRC-005-6 standard by replacing manual processes with automated ones. Second, the online monitoring system should detect some protection system failures earlier than maintenance.

Contributing Partners

Contact the Principal Investigator for information about partners.

Research Products

Please contact research@usbr.gov about research products related to this project.

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Last Updated: 6/22/20