Using LoRaWAN technology to enhance remote power network monitoring

McPherson, Ross and Hay, Craig and Irvine, James (2019) Using LoRaWAN technology to enhance remote power network monitoring. In: IEEE 89th Vehicular Technology Conference (VTC2019-Spring), 2019-04-28 - 2019-05-01. (https://doi.org/10.1109/VTCSpring.2019.8746298)

[thumbnail of McPherson-etal-VTC2019-Using-LoRaWAN-technology-to-enhance-remote-power-network-monitoring]
Preview
Text. Filename: McPherson_etal_VTC2019_Using_LoRaWAN_technology_to_enhance_remote_power_network_monitoring.pdf
Accepted Author Manuscript

Download (1MB)| Preview

Abstract

Future power networks will require much greater levels of machine-to-machine interaction to enable smart grid applications, and ultimately increase the efficiency of the power network. Low-Power Wide-Area Network (LPWAN) technology enables the deployment of many new IoT solutions in areas such as controlling and monitoring assets, environmental sensing and location tracking. In this paper, a prototype low-cost LPWAN module is developed to be retrofitted to existing Fault Passage Indicators, creating a automatic remote detection and location system for medium voltage faults, reducing the time to find faults from hours to minutes. This prototype device was then tested on a physical 11kV overhead line network, where the device demonstrated it was robust and suitable for mass deployment on a live network. The finalised prototype module costs roughly 5% of a single FPI unit, and additionally features the ability to remotely reconfigure FPI making installation and maintenance more convenient.