15-01-2013, 03:40 PM
High voltage materials
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Introduction
The research of High voltage materials is currently concentrated on investigations on novel electrically insulating polymer nanocomposites. The main target is to enhance the electric breakdown strength and other properties of thin polymer films used e.g. in power capacitors. The aim is to produce novel polymer nanocomposites and films in pilot scale, which enables the manufacturing of prototype power capacitors to be investigated and further developed to commercial products.
The best novel nanocomposites investigated in our earlier Tekes project (NANOCOM) will be further developed for prototype capacitors. In these capacitors the electrical, mechanical and thermal properties are highly tailored in order to achieve more cost-effective, energy-effective and environmentally better components for electric transmission and distribution networks (especially in DC technology), in energy storage systems (for wind and solar power plants) and for power devices (e.g. in hybrid and electric vehicles). This aim will be approached by using new nanoadditives being developed in Finnish material manufacturing companies and also using some available nanoadditives from international companies.
The second objective is to characterize the composition, the electrical and other properties of the novel nanocomposites and also the long-term performance of the new capacitors. The third target is to explain and interpret measured material properties using molecular modeling and electronic structure calculation methods in connection with appropriately chosen physical models. Additionally, the life cycle assessment (LCA) of traditional capacitors and novel nanocomposite capacitors will be conducted. This research is very interdisciplinary including participants from many fields of science and technology in Finland and abroad. International co-operation will be conducted with research institutes in Sweden, United Kingdom, Japan and Egypt and with companies in Belgium and Germany.
High voltage measurements and testing
Behaviour of different high voltage apparatus, insulation systems and materials under different environmental and electrical stresses has been an intensive area of research in the research group of High voltage laboratory over the existence of the laboratory. Notable part of this research has been conducted with direct contracts from electrical industry often in the form of prototype tests, standard tests and development of test methods and measurement systems for specific purposes.
High voltage devices studied in this kind of research projects include insulators, disconnectors, transformers, surge arresters, air and iron core reactors, cables and static VAr compensators. In environmental testing different weather conditions like icing of equipment, hoar frost, rain, pollution and very humid ambient conditions are used in the tests with and without electrical stresses.
Research
Our wide range of research interests predominantly involve experimentation supported by theoretical modelling and simulation studies. The short summary below includes links to more details and specific projects.
Condition Monitoring
The operating condition and health of transmission and distribution assets is of great importance to ensure both security and quality of supply. Our interests span a range of high and medium voltage plant with particular emphasis on the detection, location and quantification of partial discharge activity.
Environmental Modelling
Research in environmental modelling is concerned with the development of models to ensure that under normal operating conditions, plant within transmission and distribution networks do not experience situations that cause degradation of performance or failure. Although standard methods for rating plant exist, our work is concerned with either improving the quality of parameter estimation for these models or using other modelling techniques to investigate situations where standard approaches do not hold.