Currently, when operators are on site, they conduct inspections of components in our substations using thermal cameras. Operators use cameras to identify ‘points of interest’ using prior knowledge of substations to predict expected faults and capture images accordingly. There is no prescribed technique or structure to conducting inspections and the approach varies from each site. This leads to random, unstructured data collection with no data value and does not allow for repeatability. 
  
The proposed solution is to develop a structured, easily repeatable approach to on-site data collection which builds upon present Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations 2002 (ESQC) requirements and documentation. This would be established by building a visual aid routine (scripting) on the operative’s handheld device to be followed when undertaking site surveys.

Benefits

Successful development and rollout of the structured approach to on-site data collection using the visual script on the operative’s handheld device will lead to time and quality-based efficiencies as only useful images will be collected. Having the data collection routine on the hand-held device creates a repeatable framework for site surveys that can be followed easily and allows the data collected to be geo-tagged allowing for location confirmation. This will in turn provide an opportunity to intervene with preventative measures simplifying the inspection process and reducing the number of unplanned outages required to conduct maintenance. Ultimately the reduction in transmission costs can lead to an indirect cost benefit to consumers bills along with ensuring business security and reliability for our network.
 
There are approximately 100 CSE in total across all our substations. Last year there were two significant incidents related to CSE reported in the control room, this is consistent with the other transmission networks. The cost comparison of the current case against the proposed innovative visual script development examined the benefits from the application of thermal imaging surveys on CSE only. CSE account for approximately 20% of the eligible substation parts that require thermal imaging surveys. The summary of the benefits is highlighted below.
 
Trial phase
The analysis focuses on the trial development for CSE surveys with potential after the successful trial to apply the tool to other parts of the substation.
- There is a £304,000 net lifetime cost saving (22%) at 2018 real values.
- Cost savings from the reduction of unplanned outages will kick start at the year 2032.

Deployment phase
As an initial, conservative, estimation there are a total of 36 sites that will benefit from the CSE scripting innovation.
- There is an estimated 31% constant cost saving from the use of the Condition Monitoring Tool script for CSE at any additional site this innovation is implemented at compared to the current practice.
- The lifetime cost saving can reach £426,000 for any extra site. For 36 extra sites, this cost-saving can reach £14.5 million in asset life at 2018 real prices.
- Cost savings from the reduction of unplanned outages will kick start from the first year of tool implementation, which is the year 2025.

Based on the above, the total net benefits from both trial and deployment phase are summed up and risk adjusted to reflect the risks identified as part of the project, so the total risk-adjusted net benefit is estimate to £10.3 million.
 
This innovation offers a scalable opportunity, and this analysis shows only a portion of the benefits received as this has the potential to improve the quality of our data supporting asset health, reduce survey times, and develop a more tailored O&M plan for each asset based on historical data.