Activities within materials and diagnostics for high-voltage networks

Research Project, 2020 –

The aim of this work package is to strengthen the development of new high voltage insulation materials to meet future demands on higher efficiency and reliability of power system components. Wide use of power electronics for energy conversion makes non-sinusoidal
voltage shapes common in modern power system. Examples are pulse width modulated waveforms, impulses originating from transients and polarity reversals, harmonics induced by power electronic devices in HVDC applications, etc. Being applied to electrical insulation of components of power grids and apparatuses, such stresses cause enhanced degradation of insulating materials leading to premature failures of insulation systems. Aiming at
understanding mechanisms of insulation degradation and ageing under such stresses, the activities within this work package during 2020 will focus on investigating physical processes associated with development of partial discharges and electrical treeing in insulating
materials. Based on the results of the investigations, methods for reducing the intensity of these processes and feasible solutions for enhancing life time and reliability of high voltage insulation of power network components will be proposed. Within this activity, it is planned to set up computer simulations of partial discharges based on first principle approaches to identify origins of the insulation degradation processes. The simulations will be supported by
experimental studies utilizing earlier developed insulation diagnostics techniques. It is expected that such combination of experiments and simulations will provide solid background for proposing design principles of high voltage insulation capable of withstand the specific
electrical stress imposed by power electronic devises and methods for extending insulation life time.