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Surface discharge behavior of modified oil-impregnated paper (OIP) with nanoparticles (NPs), has been investigated under AC voltage with superimposed impulses. Surface Partial Discharges (PD) can develop at an oil-paper interface and lead to its degradation. Modified paper, made from fibers with adsorbed nanoparticles, can affect the partial discharge behavior of a paper in combination with oil at the interface between oil and fibers. Papers with two different concentrations (2 wt% and 6 wt%) of silica (SiO 2 ), and paper with silanized zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (1 wt%) have been studied. Papers with SiO 2 NPs showed lower impulse-induced surface PD activity. However, thorough purification during the production of SiO 2 filled papers was necessary to achieve a good performance. With less purification, paper with 2 wt% of SiO 2 did not show such significant improvements. Paper with 6 wt% of SiO 2 NPs showed a large number of AC surface PDs, but low influence of impulse voltage on subsequent PD. Papers containing 1 wt% of silanized ZnO showed reduced relative permittivity, but no significant difference in surface PD behavior. The effect of high lignin content in Kraft paper has also been studied. Paper with higher lignin content showed better surface PD characteristics under the impulse. Paper with low concentrations of pure SiO 2 NPs, and paper with high lignin content thus appear good candidates for further studies to improve the surface PD behavior of OIP.

Dielectric response (DR) measurement is commonly used for condition assessment of insulation systems of power components. A method for measurement of dielectric response using the stimulus of natural transients such as lightning and switching impulses was proposed in earlier work. Its desirable features include the ability to make measurements online over a range of frequencies, without requiring a voltage source. This article presents a laboratory demonstration of the method on a 150 kV service-aged transformer bushing, where the stimulus was a standard lightning impulse voltage superimposed on an AC voltage. Several aspects of the measurement and data processing that affect the results are studied experimentally and numerically. The results are compared with low-voltage frequency domain spectroscopy (FDS). Reasonable accuracy for monitoring changes in DR can be achieved by suitable choice of measurement circuit and data acquisition. The study suggests an approach for online monitoring of dielectric properties of power transformer bushings, and diagnostics of defects that affect the high frequency region of DR, such as moisture content.

The effect of HV impulses on surface and cavity partial discharges (PD) of oil-impregnated paper (OIP) is investigated in this work, by subjecting specimens to impulse voltages superimposed on a continuous AC voltage. The superposition of transient and AC voltage is relevant to insulation systems in power-system equipment, which is exposed to transients such as lightning and switching impulses during its operation. For several different PD-generating defects in oil-impregnated paper, the PD behaviors before and after the impulse are compared. The influence of moisture content is studied by using OIP with moisture content

Growing perception of diverse generation resources and demand response operation of power system with high uncertainty has increased the attention to a more dynamic and accurate day-ahead load prediction. In this paper, we develop an stochastic model for short term load forecasting based on the Gaussian process, in which the non parametric estimator of the regression functions are obtained by using Bernstein polynomials. One of the major features of this model is its ability to predict a continuous load at any time of the day with a regression function. We use the historical data for training and the constrained marginal likelihood problem is optimized for finding the hyperparameters of the model. Real data sets from California ISO were used for training and testing the model. The results are compared to the day ahead piecewise constant load and the real time load. The common error measures are employed to infer the deviation of the load forecast from the real data.

Dynamic Resistance Measurement (DRM) is introduced in the last decade and provides more information about the condition of the OLTC than static measurements. However, there is little information available on how to interpret the results from the DRM for different types of tap changers and different faults. In this paper, different faults are introduced in a typical tap changer and it is then subjected to DRM tests. The test results are presented and interpreted. DRM measurements are performed on resistor-type and vacuum-type OLTCs and their DRM behavior is simulated in Simulink to compare with the measured results for further studies. Results demonstrate the possibility to determine and locate the likely cause of a problem in an OLTC, thus improving fault identification and further optimizing maintenance and reliability of a transformer.

Winding Resistance Measurement and Dissolved Gas Analysis are two common methods in diagnostics of oil filled power transformers. Since winding resistance measurements are simple to perform and are not aggressive for the transformer, this test is commonly used off-line to check the state of transformers. WRM is executed as a factory test, during installation, scheduled maintenance routine, troubleshooting or unscheduled maintenance. Unlike WRM, oil sampling and Dissolved Gas Analysis can be done even when the transformer is in operation. DGA can be useful in detection of the faults that lead to some key gas formation and usually some of those faults can also be detected by WRM. In this paper, DGA and WRM results for several case studies are presented and their contribution for faults detection is investigated. The results show the agreement between DGA and WRM and also show how WRM can be used to fairly localize the problem.

This work investigates how HV impulses affect the behavior of partial discharge (PD) activity and the low voltage dielectric response of oil-impregnated paper insulation. It also investigates how the change in the PD activity is related to the degradation level of oil-impregnated paper insulation. In order to accomplish these objectives, the ageing were done under three different electrical stress conditions, i.e. HV impulses following an early stage 50 Hz AC PD activity, a prolonged PD activity at a 50 Hz AC stress alone, and a combination of HV impulses and a prolonged PD activity at a 50 Hz AC stress. In order to predict the level of deterioration caused by each ageing stress condition, the dielectric spectroscopy (DS) measurements in a frequency range of 1.0 mHz to 1.0 kHz were performed before and after subjecting a test object to each of the ageing stress conditions. The investigations were mainly done on the test samples consisting of a cavity deliberately introduced between the layers of oil-impregnated paper. Additionally, the investigation about the effect of HV impulses alone on the DS results was done on aged oil-impregnated paper transformer bushing. The PD experimental results presented in this thesis indicate that HV impulses below the impulse breakdown stress following an early stage AC PD activity will neither cause a significant change in phase resolved partial discharge (PRPD) patterns nor damage oil-impregnated paper insulation to a level that can be noticed with visual observations. On the other hand, a prolonged PD activity at a 50 Hz AC stress can cause the change in PRPD patterns by decreasing the total PD charge and the number of PD pulses, but cannot quickly damage the oil-impregnated paper insulation as it would do when it is combined with HV impulses. In addition to that, the results show that the combination of both, HV impulses and a prolonged PD activity at a 50 Hz AC stress can cause a high drop in the PD parameters (total PD charge and number of PD pulses). The DS results show that HV impulses below the impulse breakdown stress following an early stage 50 Hz AC PD activity will not cause a significant increase in the real part of the complex capacitance and in the dissipation factor as they will do when they are combined with a prolonged PD activity at a 50 Hz AC stress. Further, the dielectric spectroscopy results obtained every three hours during the ageing of oil-impregnated paper insulation by a prolonged PD activity at an AC stress show that the dissipation factor will increase, but the PD parameters (total PD charge and the repetition rate) will decrease with time of PD application. For a case of the aged oil-impregnated paper transformer bushing, HV impulses of amplitudes up to 200 kV did not result in the change in the dissipation factor curve before removing insulating oil from the bushing. However, after removing about 2.5 liters of insulating oil from the bushing, HV impulses resulted in the change in the dissipation factor curve. The magnitudes of the dissipation factor curves appeared to be much higher in the middle frequencies region, i.e. the frequencies between 10 mHz and 100 Hz. After refilling the bushing with the same insulating oil, the loss peak shifted towards the higher frequencies. To understand how the ageing by-products initiated by PDs in the small cavity can modify the geometry of oil-impregnated paper insulation; the model of oil-impregnated paper insulation, comprising of a small cavity, was implemented in Finite Element Method (FEM) software (COMSOL Multiphysics 4.2a). The comparison between the simulation and experimental results show that PD by-products will result in two zones, i.e. aged and unaged zones, and the aged zone will grow with time of PD application; thereby increasing the dissipation factor. On the other hand, in order to interpret the change in the dissipation factors for the dielectrics in aged oil-impregnated paper transformer bushing after had been exposed to HV impulses, a model of a part of the condenser body (oil-paper insulation) was also implemented in the FEM software (COMSOL Multiphysics 4.2a). To model a condition of low insulating oil level in the bushing, a part of oil subdomains was replaced with the air dielectric properties. A comparison between the simulation and experimental dissipation factor curves indicate that HV impulses will produce the by-products (ions), which will increase the conductivity of air when the bushing has low insulating oil level. On refilling the bushing with the same insulating oil, the insulating oil will take these ions and the reactions between the aged insulating oil by-products (such as acids) and the ions, may produce more ions, thereby increasing further the conductivity of the insulating oil.

This work investigates the effect of alternating current partial discharge (AC PD) byproducts on the dielectric frequency response (DFR) of oil-paper insulation comprising of a small cavity, in the frequency range of 1.0 mHz to 1.0 kHz. The investigations were done by utilizing experimental results in combination with a Finite Element Method (FEM) model. The results presented in this paper show that ageing by-products in the cavity (PD stressed volume) alone will not result into the change in DFR of oil-paper insulation. According to simulation results, the significant change in the DFR results is mainly caused by PD by-products (positive and negative charges, and electrons) which tend to conduct or diffuse into the bulk of oil-paper insulation. The change in a dissipation factor curve due to PD by-products was observed to occur mainly in the middle and low frequency regions. The results indicate that the dissipation factor curves in the middle and low frequency regions depend on the level of PD by-products in oil and paper, respectively.

High voltage (HV) transients in electrical power systems are mainly caused by lightning strikes and switching operations. The dielectric properties of a particular electrical insulation at the instant of interaction with a high voltage transient would determine a level of the degradation of an electrical insulation. This work investigates how high voltage impulses would change Phase Resolved Partial Discharge (PRPD) patterns in test samples consisting of a cavity deliberately introduced between the sheets of oil-impregnated paper used in power transformer bushings. It also investigates how the change in PRPD patterns is related to the degradation level of oilimpregnated paper. In order to accomplish these objectives, the experiments were set in such a way that the effect of HV impulses and an early stage PD activity at an elevated AC stress, HV impulses in combination with a prolonged PD activity at an elevated AC stress, and a prolonged PD activity alone at an elevated AC stress could be investigated separately. The experimental results presented in this paper indicate that HV impulses below the impulse breakdown stress following an early stage AC PD activity would not cause a significant change in PRPD patterns, and would not damage oil-impregnated paper to a level which can be noticed by a visual observation. On the other hand, a prolonged AC PD activity alone can cause the change in PRPD patterns, but cannot quickly damage the oil-impregnated paper as it would do when it is combined with HV impulses. However, the combination of both, HV impulses and a prolonged AC PD activity caused a high drop in the PD parameters (total PD charge and a repetition rate). The study found that the decrease of the PD parameters can be considered as a sign of severe degradation of oil-impregnated paper.

The onset of Partial Discharge (PD) activity within an insulation system is often an important signature of degradation. Changes in the PD pattern aid assessment of the insulation degradation level. High voltage transients such as lightning and switching impulses are inevitable phenomena in power systems. They can impose electrical stresses on the insulation system of power components such as power transformers and their bushings which may lead to their failure. After the arrival of a transient the AC PD pattern may change, in a way that is influenced by the type of PD source. In this paper, the effect of HV impulses on the change of surface and cavity discharges of oil-impregnated paper has been investigated. With resemblance to the real situation, insulation samples have been subjected to an impulse voltage superimposed on the AC voltage. The behavior of PDs before and after the impulse for different defects and moisture content levels in oil-impregnated paper has been studied. The results show a distinctive behavior of PD due to the impulse for each defect and insulation condition, either by change in the PD rate and magnitude or by causing PD inception or extinction. Recording the voltage signals and associated PD measurements during and after the incident of high voltage transients can be used for assessing the insulation condition of power transformers and their bushings and interpretation of the recorded signals can be used for online diagnostics.

Condition assessment of power components such as power transformers and their bushings depends on the interpretation of data obtained from the monitoring systems. Various defects in their insulation would behave differently under electrical stresses. Surface discharge on the oil-paper interface is one of the defects which can be responsible for the failure of those components. Power system transients can impose stresses on the insulation of the power transformers and their bushings. This study investigates the effect of transients such as lightning impulses on the surface discharge characteristics of oil-impregnated paper. Two configurations, needle and rod (IEC-b), are used here. Two distinctive situations occur on paper due to these different configurations. The corresponding effect is shown in the form of variation in the partial discharge numbers and phase-resolved patterns. In the needle electrode configuration, the paper remains un-aged and the applied impulses cause a prompt change in the total number of discharges which decays fast. However, with the rod electrode, the paper gets carbonized and the applied impulses cause a decrease in the total number of discharges. The influence of moisture content in oil-impregnated paper was also studied. For this case, the total number of discharges considerably increase after applying impulse.

High voltage bushing forms an essential part of a power transformer and its insulation condition is of high importance in a transformer's reliability. Transformer failure statistics indicate considerable contribution from bushing failures, which makes the monitoring of power transformer bushings essential. Several off-line and on-line methods are available for condition assessment of these components. However, most of the on-line methods cannot provide as much information as off-line methods because of the performance limitations. Therefore, condition assessments of these components are mostly done through several on-line methods and decision-making must be done according to majority agreements between different techniques. This paper investigates the possibility of assessing the insulation condition of power transformer bushing through utilizing high voltage transients. They are used as stimuli to get the dielectric response of the insulation system. The investigation is done on two service-aged 150 kV power transformer bushings. The results are verified by comparison with Frequency Domain Spectroscopy (FDS). The proposed application seems promising for monitoring of dielectric properties of power transformer bushings.

The reliability of power transformer bushings is of great importance. Failures may lead to severe consequences. Frequent diagnostics by off-line methods is not feasible as the interruption is costly. Therefore it is of interest to have the possibility to perform on-line diagnostics. Transformer bushings can become aged during their operation periods. Several phenomena such as partial discharges, thermal effects and humidity may change the strength of the insulation in power transformer bushings. There are several methods which provide diagnostics of such components, but some of them can only be done offline in maintenance periods and some online methods would lack useful information about the insulation characteristics. In this paper, a new method is investigated, which uses natural transients such as switching and lightning impulses as stimuli to get the on-line dielectric response of the insulation system. Also, laboratory investigations are reported on three in-service aged 132 kV power-transformer bushings. The dielectric response measured under excitation by transient voltage is compared with results from low-voltage dielectric spectroscopy.

The transformer bushings are one of the key devices in electrical power networks. With time, the electrical insulations in the transformer bushings become aged. One effect of a long time ageing would be due to Partial Discharge (PD) defects. In this work, the phase resolved partial discharge (PRPD) pattern of the defects naturally present in an aged 36 kV Oil Impregnated Paper (OIP) bushing was compared with the PRPD patterns of defects deliberately introduced in simple test samples and in a bushing specimen. The results presented in this paper show that it might be possible to predict the type of the defects in aged transformer bushings through comparing measured PRPD patterns with PRPD patterns from defects deliberately introduced in simple test samples and in bushing specimens.

In this paper surface discharge along the oil-pressboard interface was investigated. Surface discharges were measured both in time domain by means of an oscilloscope and as phase resolve patterns. The effect of temperature from 20 °C to 90 °C on surface discharge inception, extinction and surface flashover voltage were investigated. Trend of number and maximum magnitude of PD was compared for 20 °C and 90 °C over time. The effect of voltage rise and surface flashover on number and maximum magnitude of PD were investigated. The results show that PD inception voltage is lower for higher temperature but surface flashover voltage is higher for higher temperature. However for 90 °C the final damage due to surface discharge is much severe compared to 20 °C.

High voltage impulses in electrical power systems are mainly caused by lightning strikes and switching operations. The dielectric properties of a particular insulation at the instant of interaction with a high voltage impulse would determine the level of the degradation of the electrical insulation caused by the high voltage impulse. In this work, the effect of high voltage impulses on the partial discharge (PD) parameters was investigated. The investigation was done in test samples consisting of a cavity deliberately introduced between oil-impregnated papers used in power transformer bushings. The measurement results presented in this paper show that high voltage impulses can have a large impact on the behavior of the PD parameters if the test sample is aged by partial discharges, but a smaller impact when the test sample is unaged.

Insulation has a significant role in most of power components failures. Therefore, proper diagnostics of insulation condition which can be done non-destructively and online in the field is of interest. In this paper, a new insulation diagnostic technique is proposed which utilizes natural transients in power system for online dielectric response measurement. In the proposed technique, lightning and switching impulses with wide range of frequency are used as stimuli for dielectric spectroscopy. Oil impregnated papers and condenser bushing are the objects under investigation and dielectric response of them is derived at those transients. Dielectric responses obtained by this method are verified by the responses measured by insulation diagnostic systems IDAX and LCR meter.

This paper deals with the response of power transformer bushings under the effect of transformer windings during electromagnetic transients such as lightning. In transient domain, investigating the characteristic of each power component separately in the network wouldn't be adequate. Each component can make an influence on the transient current and voltage that may be measured from another one. This paper proposes to find the effect of transformer windings on the transient response of the bushing, which contains valuable information on bushing's condition. It may result helpful in diagnostics of such an important power component to avoid catastrophic failure. Natural transients would be helpful in monitoring of the bushing by utilizing them as stimuli for online dielectric response measurement. Transient response of the lumped model of the bushing in EMTP is compared with its finite element model (FEM) in COMSOL Multiphysics to validate the robustness of modeling approach. According to the frequency component of the lightning, transient electromagnetic wave module of COMSOL is applied. Then, the effect of the transformer winding on the transient response of the bushing is investigated in EMTP.

The paper proposes a method for optimal design of a grounding grid when considering lightning safety indices. The algorithm utilizes a fast particle swarm optimization algorithm to minimize the grid construction cost while ensuring the personnel safety. Simulated results are given to demonstrate the superiority of the proposed method over the conventional non-optimal method.

The paper presents a new method based on the Simulated Annealing Algorithm for the estimation of the parameters of multilayer soils. First the infinite integral of resistivity equation is approximated by use of complex image method. Then, Simulated Annealing Method is used to estimate the soil resistivity with the least error.