The Challenge
Imatran Seudun Sähkö, founded in 1928, has been a pioneer in Finnish energy ever since. Like all utilities, ensuring grid reliability and quickly identifying faults is a top priority.
One of Imatran Seudun Sähkönsiirto’s outgoing feeders was experiencing an unusually high number of reclosings, but these had gone unnoticed as they never escalated into permanent faults. Identifying the root cause in such cases can be challenging and time-consuming.
The Solution
By deploying Safegrid’s Intelligent Grid System®, Imatran Seudun Sähkönsiirto was able to continuously monitor the grid and detect early fault indicators. Safegrid’s wireless sensors and AI-enhanced analytics provided real-time insights, allowing the utility to pinpoint the affected section of the network with precision.
Fault location, indicated by Safegrid, was always pointed to be in the same cable section which had two secondary substations. Those were located on the islands and hard to reach. During the winter, access to the islands was possible via the lake ice and a faulty disconnector was found at one of the secondary stations, causing those reclosing operations.
The Result
- Immediate fault localization – The exact location of the issue was identified instantly, enabling a fast response.
- Cost and time savings – No prolonged outages were required.
- Proactive maintenance – Safegrid’s system identified faults before they caused serious disruptions.
“Thanks to Safegrid’s solution we were able to immediately see the right location of the fault, saving us time and money”, says Tero Karjola, Business Director from Imatran Seudun Sähkönsiirto.
Conclusion
Safegrid’s technology not only helps in identifying permanent faults but also in cases where temporary faults cause frequent reclosings. By detecting these issues early, utilities like Imatran Seudun Sähkönsiirto can ensure a more reliable grid, reducing both downtime and operational costs.
*Header image from imatra.kuvat.fi
