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Optical fiber based distributed thermal mapping provides true data driven AI based condition monitoring and lifecycle prediction for both operational and strategic asset management
About
Hyperion was founded in order to develop a solution to the age old issue of lack of data from energized grid assets. Although there are several technologies on the market claiming to do this, all of these merely provide 'electrical' data or 'static' data, which are not very useful from a live condition monitoring perspective. Hyperion uses a distributed thermal sensing technology using optical fiber which can be embedded inside an asset (such as a transformer) - or more importantly - retrofitted to an existing asset like an underground cable installation.
Hyperion has focused on developing a practical solution (not just the technology) so that the application becomes easy and fits within existing utility practices and procedures, and can be carried out with the minimum of additional training. Our company has deep expertise in the utility sector, providing us with unique insights into designing and developing applications specifically for utilities.
Key Benefits
The applications of Hyperion's Cable Asset Management Program (CaMP) revolve around the proactive maintenance and optimization of underground cables. This innovative solution leverages advanced technologies and AI to monitor, assess, and manage the health and performance of the monitored asset. It is particularly useful in enhancing reliability and safety by identifying potential failures before they occur, thus minimizing downtime and reducing costs associated with unplanned outages and repairs. Additionally, the program supports efficient asset management by providing crucial insights and data analysis that inform decision-making processes regarding cable upgrades, capacity planning, and lifecycle management. This approach not only ensures optimal performance of cable systems but also extends their useful life, offering significant cost savings and improving service delivery, enabling a more resilient and adaptive grid.
By installing Hyperion's fiber sensing technology into an underground cable circuit, the power utility customer now gains several key benefits:
- Live condition monitoring, leading to dynamic capacity information. The utility can make decisions in a safe and reliable manner about the load on the cable, with full visibility.
- Fault Location - with a resolution down to 1m (3ft), any hot spot or failure in the cable can be localised immediately, so that crews do not have to spend days or weeks searching for a fault location.
- Manhole and Cable Splice monitoring - Cable splices are usually the weakest link resulting in underground cable failures. Hyperion has developed application specific solutions to allow simultaneous monitoring of the manholes as well as the splices on the cable for hot spots - providing significant safety benefits and early warning of failures.
- Lifecycle Prediction and Dynamic Asset Management - the AI enabled cloud software developed by Hyperion provides enhanced end of life predictions, informed by the actual physical condition of the cable, not just estimates based on static variables such as cable age and load data. Hyperion incorporates all of these parameters in addition to live thermal data which provides the most accurate assessment of a cable's health, to produce effective and accurate lifecycle data.
Applications
The target market for Hyperion is primarily power utilities. The technology and solution however, has many applications outside the power sector, but Hyperion has developed specific solutions and advanced analytics around the optimized management of critical power grid assets, such as underground cables.
The company's solution can be installed in most large grid assets, but it is particularly suited to installation in duct based underground power cables - as it simply involves pulling a standard (telco rated) fiber optic cable over an existing power cable in the duct.