Cigre Session 2012 – The forum for electrial innovation

Now in its 44th edition, the CIGRE Session assemble more than 3000 senior executives, experts and specialists, from the worldwide Power Industry, to enhance their knowledge, to discuss new developments and innovations, and to network.
The CIGRE Session provides a unique opportunity to listen to contributions from international senior executives as well as experts and specialists through official presentations, panel discussions, technical meetings and poster sessions. The Session also offers a social program starting with a welcome drink which includes daily coffee breaks to engage further discussions in a relaxed atmosphere.

In parallel of the Session, a Technical Exhibition is being held in the same location on levels 2 and 3. The exhibition offers the opportunity to all visitors, including delegates, to discover new services, tools, equipment and materials as well as the most advanced technologies in the field of power systems.

The CIGRE Session and its Technical Exhibition bring together around 6000 senior executives, engineers and experts from the worlwide Power Industry.

Main themes will include

• Eco design of equipment
• Maintenance, refurbishment and life time of equipment
• Real time monitoring of equipment and systems
• Development of DC solutions
• Coordination between TSOs
• Public acceptance of equipment
• Integration of renewable
• Active distribution systems
• Information systems

4 main strategic directions for CIGRE technical activities are

• The Electrical Power System of the Future: super grids, smart grids…
• Making best use of the existing power system
• Focus on environment and sustainability
• Communication on power system issues to the audience

 

August 26 to 31, 2012

Paris, France (Palais des Congrès)

Registration online

Member: € 800
Non Member: € 990
Early bird rate until April 27th

EN.SURE Grid Safety – New DTS Generation Presented in Mumbai, India

LIOS Technology GmbH was participating at ELECRAMA from January 18 – 22, 2012 in Mumbai India together with its partner PCI LTD.

ELECRAMA is the world’s largest electrical T&D exhibition held biennially in Mumbai, India since 1990. From the beginnings in 1990 with 283 exhibitors, it has grown significantly. During the last edition two years ago, ELECRAMA hosted 1,243 exhibitors from many different countries.

During this exhibition, LIOS proudly presented the new EN.SURE generation of Distributed Temperature Sensing (DTS) systems and Real Time Thermal Rating (RTTR) solutions for ampacity predictions of energy transmission:

• Highly reliable DTS systems with a range of up to 40 km for single mode fibres and up to 20 km for multi mode fibres in single ended configuration.

With a solid installed base in India for temperature monitoring of (Extra) High Voltage power cables, LIOS and PCI LTD are the preferred solution provider for utilities.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

OPSENS SIGNS LONG-TERM AGREEMENT WITH LIOS TECHNOLOGY A LEADER IN DISTRIBUTED TEMPERATURE MONITORING SYSTEMS-DTS

Opsens Inc. (“Opsens”) (TSXV: OPS) is pleased to announce signing of a long-term agreement with Lios Technology GmbH (“Lios”) to provide an integrated solution to measure pressure and temperature in SAGD wells.

With this agreement, Opsens’ OPP-W high-temperature optical pressure and temperature sensor will be combined to LIOS’ high-temperature Distributed Temperature Sensing System (“DTS”) to provide a complete profile to optimize and improve SAGD well management. Combining the two complementary well monitoring technologies incorporating temperature and pressure measurements from two leading suppliers of fiber optic based measurement systems contributed to the successful installation of their High Temperature solution into already several projects in Canada.

Downhole fiber optic pressure and temperature sensing solution multi-channel signal conditioner dedicated for pressure & temperature measurements in harsh environnements

The benefit of this alliance is to combine complementary well surveillance solutions and apply the advanced concept on Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) and other Enhanced Oil and Gas Recovery wells. This concept of effective applied synergy expands the scope of measurements by offering pressure as well as distributed temperature (DTS) measurements. With this integrated solution, the customer will have the ability to monitor pressure and temperature at the toe of the horizontal well, in addition to temperature along the entire wellbore with sub-meter spatial resolution.  The result will be a comprehensive wellbore profile which can be used for enhanced optimization and improved well management.

“We see considerable potential for LIOS distributed sensing products in the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin and we look forward to exploring further possibilities that this partnership between LIOS and Opsens can offer,” says Gaetan Duplain, Opsens Vice President Oil and Gas.

Thomas Oldemeyer, Chief Executive Officer of LIOS Technology commented, “We’re exceptionally pleased to offer our products through Opsens Solutions. This partnership allows LIOS to operate in extreme harsh downhole environment and benefit of Opsens Solutions expertise in installation and completion of downhole instrumentation”.

In thermal recovery processes, Opsens’ OPP-W fiber optic sensor system provides oil sands producers with reliable real-time downhole pressure and temperature information about their SAGD wells during operation. The ability to accurately control bottomhole pressure at high temperatures for artificial lift systems such as electrical submersible pumps allows SAGD operators to improve steam/oil ratios and to reduce operating and lifting costs.  For multiple well operations, this can provide millions of dollars in savings by reducing water treatment costs, optimizing natural gas consumption as it pertains to steam generation and enhancing the run time of artificial lift systems. Opsens Solutions’ also has an ongoing commitment to the development of reservoir surveillance solutions and for CO2-EOR, geological storage of CO2, and unconventional gas projects.

NKT Holding Strategy 2011 to 2015 – POWERED BY NKT

The strategy named POWERED BY NKT is inspired by NKT operating a number of business units and developing them organizationally and financially based on NKT’s long-term global mindset.

NKT is a modern industrial conglomerate with 120 years of history. Over time NKT has demonstrated the ability to develop successful industrial businesses under long-term ownership and – if appropriate – to divest those businesses if alternative ownership could realize the new potential and deliver the value created.

NKT’s corporate business strategy for 2011-2015 is entitled ‘Powered by NKT’. As an industrial owner, NKT pledges that its business units are operated in accordance with long-term, global thinking and with focus on financial performance

NKT is a modern industrial conglomerate with 120 years of history. Over time NKT has demonstrated the ability to develop successful industrial businesses under long-term ownership and – if appropriate – to divest those businesses if alternative ownership could realize the new potential and deliver the value created. This is NKT’s mission: To create value by exercising long-term and active ownership in segments where NKT is ‘best owner’.
We today own the power cable company NKT Cables, the global supplier of professional cleaning equipment Nilfisk-Advance, and 51% of NKT Flexibles, a supplier of flexible pipe systems for offshore oil and gas industry. We also own the Photonics Group of companies in which we are working to develop a new technology platform in the laser industry.
In the period since 2008 when we launched our previous corporate plan, ‘Building Power’, we have strengthened these businesses significantly, primarily by adding global presence, improving competitiveness through increased production and sourcing in low-cost countries, and focusing on higher-value products and associated manufacturing facilities. The start of the period coincided with the economic downturn. This meant that the financial targets we had set could not be realized. But the planned initiatives were moved forward, and the businesses have today been taken to a new level, enabling a new corporate strategy to be established.

NKT mission: To create value by exercising long-term and active ownership in segments where NKT is ‘best owner.

The NKT group companies are all BTB companies on the international market.

• NKT Cables is an actor in the electricity and energy sector
• Nilfisk-Advance is an actor in the cleaning industry
• Photonics Group comprises three companies – including LIOS Technology, all players in the optical industry
• NKT Flexibles, of which NKT owns 51%, is a player in the offshore sector

Case Studies for Industrial Distributed Temperature Sensing in Electrical Transmission and Distribution Systems

LIOS Technology is actively deploying its DTS sensor technology in various industrial applications and has already equipped successfully more than 2000 permanent system installations worldwide. Today we highlight some projects in Power Cable and Transmission Line Monitoring in the following case studies.

Industrial Application: High Voltage Power Cable Monitoring – Smartgrid

		Beijing: Long Distance Cable Temperature Monitoring System for the Olympic City 2008 Beijing This project was the premiere of a successful cooperation between Brugg Cables and LIOS Technology. Both partners are currently developing further projects for power cable monitoring even with integrated dynamic rating systems (RTTR).

		Burbo Offshore Windfarm – Distributed Temperature Monitoring of Long Distance Submarine Cables Distributed temperature sensing (DTS) of long distance power cables is shown to provide valuable information for cable design optimisation and proper operation of wind farms. The long range sensing is enabled by using the Raman-OFDR (optical frequency domain reflectometry) technology in single-mode fibres. Raman-OFDR uses a modulated continuous wave laser for detection. The low peak power minimizes stimulated Raman-scattering in single-mode fibres making accurate temperature sensing over long distances feasible.

		Graz: Reliable Energy Supply for Graz, Austria The new cable installation is one of the city’s main transmission lines and is heavily loaded. In order to optimize the transmission performance and to guarantee its secure reliability, the cable installation has been equipped with large scale cross-bonding systems at its sheath. In addition, by the help of the LIOS temperature monitoring system (DTS), the level of backup capacity can be assessed.

Real-Time Cable Thermal Rating (RTTR) went on-line at a tunnel near Stockholm, Sweden In October 2006 the commissioning of the integrated condition monitoring system (CMS) for real-time monitoring of cables was successfully completed. Together with a Distributed Temperature Sensor (DTS) a parallel run of cables installed in a tunnel near Stockholm (Sweden) is being continuously rated by RTTR.

Middle East Electricity 2011 is Open – The Power Behind The Middle East Energy Industry

HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, accompanied by HE Saeed Mohammad Al Tayer, Managing Director and CEO, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, today opened Middle East Electricity 2011. The show, which is the region’s largest trade show for the power and energy sector, hosted the global launch of an important new integrated water extraction and distribution solution from British firm Lister Petter. Middle East Electricity 2011 is expecting a trade visitor attendance of over 50,000 and has confirmed that all available exhibition space has been sold. In total, over 1,000 exhibitors from 58 countries covering 45,000 square metres of exhibition space are participating this year.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

LIOS Technology – Company Milestones – 10 Years On

The year 2010 marks the 10th year for LIOS Technology in the industry. The formal company launch dates back to August 2000. LIOS is a true story of successful innovation, which has reached its ambitious goals by being creative, responsive and agile. This list of exciting events and projects mark certainly the important milestones of LIOS’ first decade of history.

	Official Launch of LIOS Technology GmbH, 01.08.2000 Based on initiated development work at Felten & Guilleaume LIOS was launched to market its fibre optic sensing solutions actively for T&D assets, fire detection and oil/gas exploration.
	Mont Blanc Tunnel, 30.4.2001 Tunnel operators have chosen the LIOS fire detection system for the Mont Blanc tunnel where the disaster in 1999 triggered a widespread public debate.
	FibroLaser II® Protecting Bangkok Metro, 15.7.2001 LIOS Technology and Siemens BT Fire Safety are proud to supply FibroLaser II® for the surveillance of some 50 km underground tunnels in Thailand.
	World Premiere of the New Optical Coil Protection System, 10.6.2003 OTTO JUNKER GmbH and LIOS Technology GmbH have concluded a research and development contract for monitoring refractory linings of induction furnaces. In the meantime the system has an impressive track record and reached excellent market reputation: Crucible cracks and erosion are detected and localised reliably and precisely and normal refractory wear is under close control.
	Dynamic Rating of a 145 kV XLPE Power Cable in Sao Paulo, 20.12.2004 LIOS Technology provides its multi-channel distributed temperature measurement system to AES Eletropaulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil for dynamic power cable ampacity monitoring – it is the first installation of that kind in entire South America.
	Permanent Downhole Temperature Sensing – A Success even for Low Cost Wells, 23.08.2005 In a pilot project initiated by Shell International Exploration and Production (SIEP) with LIOS Technology the feasibility and economic added value of permanent downhole temperature sensing has been successfully demonstrated in a number of recently deployed on- and offshore projects.
	10km Within Reach! , 21.11.2005 LIOS Technology introduces its next generation temperature sensing instrument. The new product series delivers increased performance and an extended measurement range of up to 10 kilometres at a single end multimode fibre.
	Beijing Olympics 2008 – Enhanced Power Grid Monitored by LIOS, 7.6.2006 Commissioning of LIOS’ power cable monitoring systems was completed at Beijing, China. The newly built 220 kV circuits supply the Olympic Park and are operated by Beijing Electric Power Corporation.
	RTTR Went On-line in Stockholm, 23.10.2006 Together with Distributed Temperature Sensing (DTS) a parallel run of 245 kV cables installed in a tunnel near Stockholm (Sweden) is being continuously rated by RTTR. Real time temperature and current readings serve to compute the temperature of the conductor and perform emergency ratings looking into the future.
	Setting Standards for Highly Reliable DTS Performance, 19.12.2007 The LIOS OFDR design and its industrial production set standards in reliable DTS performance and smooth operation. Excellent Mean-time-between-failures (MTBF) figures of 28 years were reached based on the latest statistical field analysis of the current DTS product series.
	LIOS Head Office Moves Premises, 5.10.2008 LIOS Technology GmbH is excited to announce that due to the expansion of the company and to allow for future growth, our Head Office moves premises in October 2008.
	Investments in Smartgrid Technologies Encourage LIOS to Open US office, 1.9.2009 LIOS Technology announces that it has opened an office in Morganville, New Jersey to service the growing demand for distributed temperature solutions in the United States.
	Dynamic Wind Farm Load Patterns Recorded by Long Range DTS, 15.10.2009 The biggest Danish utility owner has successfully completed the installation of LIOS’ Single Mode DTS equipment to monitor the power cable temperature of an offshore UK wind farm.
	Turnkey Solutions for Various Markets, 01.08.2010 Building on an innovative development in the field of fibre optic sensor engineering, LIOS Technology provides turnkey solutions in various markets for modern asset management and global condition monitoring. Our comprehensive product line of DTS systems based on multimode and singlemode fibres with ranges up to 30 km and 16 channel multiplexing have become a well accepted and powerful tool in the power industry, in fire detection and downhole well monitoring.

LIOS 10 Years Anniversary Celebration Held in Paris

Thanks for joining us in Paris for the festive 10 years anniversary celebration of LIOS Technology in the industry. We at LIOS Technology would like to thank you for your continuous interest in our products throughout the recent years.

The CIGRE 2010 Session – International Council on Large Electric Systems – was once again an impressive industry gathering of international experts for electrical high voltage systems. It was the ideal platform for LIOS to celebrate its company anniversary as many loyal friends and partners were already in town.

LIOS Technology has chosen the historic cave system of Les Crayères des Montquartiers for its evening function which offers festive and cosy atmosphere but also bridging to LIOS company launch with its successes in fire detection systems for tunnels.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

10 Tips for Electric Utilities to Implement Condition Monitoring Successfully

Real time condition monitoring has become a well accepted tool for thermal assessment and accurate rating of transmission and distribution assets. However, the use of fibre optics as sensors for distributed temperature sensing (DTS) is a rather complex technology with many parameters to consider.

1. Selecting the Right Fibre
   For measurement ranges of up to some 18 km the GI 50/125 multimode fibre typically provides the best distributed temperature measurement performance and allows deployments of less expensive multimode DTS systems. For longer ranges of more than 20 km singlemode fibres compliant to ITU-T G.652.C or D enable distributed temperature sensing even for applications like subsea cables.
2. Long Term Performing Fibre
   Especially multimode fibres are available in different qualities. Besides attenuation limits the bandwidth has to be specified to > 500 or even >1000 MHz*km @ 1300 nm as it is important to achieve measurements with good spatial resolution also from remote distances. In order to ensure long term service life of the fibre it is recommended to select phosphorous free qualities only. A securely embedded fibre within the high voltage power cable in form a FIMT – fibre in metal tube – prevents damages in course of cable laying and delivers superior temperature information due to its proximity to the conductor.
3. Spatial Resolution at Most Remote Distances
   The spatial resolution along the entire fibre length shall be 1.5 m or better. As the spatial resolution degrades with a function of distance with some DTS technologies the actual spatial resolution at the most remote distance shall be indicated.
4. 24/7 Operation
   DTS equipment shall be powered directly by secure substation DC supply, so even critical moments during mains outages are covered by condition monitoring. The DTS system shall operate independently from any kind of PC based system; Windows operating systems shall be solely used for data visualisation purposes. Equipment based on Windows operating systems drop statistically to MTBF ratings below 12 months.
5. Direct Link to SCADA
   Condition monitoring data shall be available at real time, so the DTS shall be capable to send its measurements and derived events directly to the operator’s SCADA or overall management system using protocols meeting substation standards based on IEC or DNP.
6. Reliable DTS Equipment with Proven Track Record
   Reliability and long lifetime are essential for investment goods like condition monitoring systems. The DTS laser diode and other key components shall be tested according to the Telecordia standard GR-468 or similar with medium lifetimes >25 years. The mean-time-between-failures (MTBF) rating of the DTS shall be higher than 25 years and based on a proven track record. Manufactures with ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certification are recommended.
7. Preference for Single End
   Known from the early days of DTS systems the double ended or loop fibre set up is still sometimes requested today. However, latest DTS systems achieve measurements with sufficient temperature and spatial resolution at fast cycle times even at single ended fibres. The single ended measurement makes a more economic use of the DTS (longer range coverage, less channels occupied) and is the recommended operation mode for typical power cable monitoring installations.
8. Ampacity Predictions by RTTR
   Real Time Thermal Rating (RTTR) removes all uncertainty left by the DTS measurement. The power cable’s sheath temperature measured by the DTS gives a good idea of the temperature of conductor, but unless an accurate model for the conductor is provided there will be some uncertainty left. Sophisticated RTTR systems cover apart from steady state also the more critical transient operations based on IEC 60853 for this calculation and provide trustable ampacity predictions.
9. The Software Speaks Your Mother Tongue
   The DTS operation software shall be user friendly and available in the native language of the operator. This helps to prevent misunderstandings and encourages staff to use the system with pleasure.
10. More than Temperature
    Real time thermal assessment of the T & D grid is a powerful tool that allows accurate rating and ensures save and stable grid operation. By adding other real time diagnostics (i.e. partial discharge), failure uncertainty is reduced and maintenance procedures can be optimized. Aim for an integrated Global Condition Monitoring solution.

Congratulation to LIOS Technology GmbH for 10 successful years!

The team of LIOS Technology, Cologne

This year LIOS Technology can celebrate its 10 years anniversary. But the activity which formed the basis of today’s LIOS Technology already took its start in 1995. An innovative group within the German cable company, Felten&Guilleaume (F&G) saw an opportunity for developing a distributed temperature sensing system technique for condition monitoring of power cables, and hence making it possible to exploit the full capacity potential of installed high voltage cable routes.