Grant: Collaborative Research and Development Grants

The objective of this project is to research solutions for monitoring and detecting the integrity of the grounding grid system in electrical power substations, specifically, the electrical grounding failures induced by corrosion damage of the vertical grounding electrodes. Innovative approaches based on acoustic guided waves and electromagnetic waves have the potential to detect corrosion in these materials. The Pulse-Echo Method and the Time Domain Reflectometry method work by emitting the acoustic or electromagnetic signal into the grounding metallic electrodes, where it travels through the electrode and is reflected when it encounters defects (physical damage) in the materials being assessed. The reflected wave signal provides information that can beused to determine the location and severity of defects that would cause grounding faults.In collaboration with our industrial partner, Manitoba Hydro, the proposed project will involve both basic theoretical and experimental research. The research will be conducted in the laboratory and field-testing and deployment of the developed technology will be conducted in Manitoba Hydro substations. The research covers laboratory testing of the acoustic and electromagnetic guided wave modes and wave propagation, design and construction of the wave emitter and sensor devices, and development of the field-testing equipment. The project will explore the application of innovative and economically inexpensive technology for monitoringthe grounding integrity of power system substations. HQP will receive training in instrumentation and in industrial oriented collaborative research. The resulting techniques will be helpful in improving facility maintenance and reliability of power utility infrastructure by enabling an early diagnosis of grounding faults. This will allow the service life of the grounding system be predicted so that appropriate maintenance measures can be implemented prior to the occurrence of grounding failure that would impose negative commercial and human safety impacts.