The researched Phase II instrumentation package uses “state of the art” components. During the Underground Cable Advanced Diagnostic (UCADS) project USi has been conducting R&D for monitoring and diagnostic systems in the lab while designing and testing the systems to be deployed in the field. Remote monitoring technologies can optimize the utilization of transmission and distribution (T&D) assets and improve their operational efficiencies through a smart-grid-enabled infrastructure. While the Nation’s lights may remain on, the risks and complexity of achieving sufficient power supply are growing every day. A changing supply mix, expanding power quality needs, more » and continuing demand growth are stressing an aging, congested electricity infrastructure, and thus challenging system reliability. Although the United States power grid has maintained a high level of reliability for decades, it is rapidly running up against its limitations. While improving transport capability, the system must operate within thermal limits and system stability must be maintained each alone is necessary but not sufficient for reliable system operation. The objective of enhancing the performance is to safely and reliably transport more electrical energy through the power transmission system. « lessĪdvanced technologies to enhance performance of the nation’s electricity delivery system have been proposed over the past decade by many organizations. It appears that fiber-optic sensors have the most capability for producing a significant improvement in power plant pressure sensing. Additional attractive concepts include variable reluctance gauges and resonant structure gauges that may not require oil buffering from the process fluid. Particular emphasis is focused on two categories: silicon-integrated pressure sensors and fiber-optic sensors, and both of these categories are discussed in detail. Ten representative conventional and thirty innovational pressure sensors are described and compared. These and similar concerns have prompted an assessment of a broad spectrum of sensor technologies to aid in selecting the most likely candidates for adaptation to power plant applications. Since all current pressure sensors drift with time, testing and maintenance of pressure channels occupy a disproportionately large amount of effort to restore their accuracy and verify their more » operability. Many pressure transmitters now installed use fill fluid to separate process fluids form the gauge mechanism and are subject to insidious failures when the fill fluid leaks. Future developments in power plant control systems are expected to used digital/optical networks rather than the analog/electric data transmission used in existing plants. Additional attractive concepts include variable reluctance gauges and resonant structure gauges that may not require oil buffering from the process = ,Īdvanced digital distributed control systems (DCS`s) for electric power plants will require more accurate and reliable pressure gauges than those now installed. Particular emphasis is focused on two categories: Silicon-integrated pressure sensors and fiber-optic sensors, and both of these categories are discussed in detail. Testing and maintenance of pressure channels occupy a disproportionately large amount of effort to restore their accuracy and verify their operability. Many pressure transmitters now installed use oil filling to separate process fluids from the gauge mechanism and are subject to insidious failures when the oil leaks. Future developments in power plant control systems are expected to use digital/optical networks rather than the analog/electric data transmission used in existing plants. Advanced distributed control systems for electric power plants will require more accurate and reliable pressure gauges than those now installed.