b'Partner News Spring 2024 21EnterpriseGrid sustainability has two meanings, eachFrom dumb to smartclosely linked. It means keeping networksThe biggest limitation of older assets is running with the resources availableboththat they are dumb because they were physical and financial; and equipping themThe biggest limitation of olderdesigned before the current demand for to enable the transition to a net zero carbonassets is that they are dumbcommunications, automation and control. future. New technologies are critical forbecause they were designedTransforming them into smart members of both aspects of sustainability. But so ismodern digital platforms is being addressed keeping older assets running, to extendbefore the current demand forwith new products under the IEC 61850 their performance way beyond their originalcommunications, automationinternational standard. This defines the design lives. protocols which enable communication and control. Transformingbetween different equipment located in IET Enterprise Partner Fundamentals worksthem into smart members ofa substation, such as protection, control, at both ends of the spectrum, specificallyand measurement equipment, as well as in voltage control, which is increasingly vitalmodern digital platforms isintelligent electronic devices (IEDs). Modern as the grid adapts to historic changes in thebeing addressed with newcontroller interfaces equip them to be fully ways electricity is generated and consumed:products under the IEC 61850integrated with DNO management systems, from intermittent supplies and renewablesgreatly reducing the need for physical to fast-changing demand from customersinternational standard. interventions. who need to power their electrified homes and vehicles.In addition to communications functionality, tapchangers and transformers can be New meets old in voltage control modernised with a range of upgrades, In the new tech arena, our SuperTAPP SGincluding digital probes for monitoring smart grid automatic voltage controllertemperatures and the latest breathers is widely used as a plug-in unit, addingfor controlling moisture. But the essential advanced automation and communicationsengineering of electro-mechanical assets to distribution substations. Our latestremains as fit for purpose as ever. development is software-only AVC packages, working on multiple platforms asRepair and re-usepart of the move towards highly automated,Even the best old assets will eventually fully digital substations.need replacing. But redundant tapchangers, for example, still have value. So we buy At the old tech end of the spectrum, wethem in, strip down some for re-usable support a vast range of electro-mechanicalcomponents, refurbish some to good-as-tapchangers in more than 30 countries,new condition and supply them with a full including Ferranti, Metropolitan Vickers, AEIfive year warranty. Yet another way grid and English Electric, because they remainoperators can align with the sustainability the core voltage control assets on manymantra of repair and re-use. grids worldwide, as well as in the UK. Many have been operating efficiently for moreAt Fundamentals, we see no disparity than 60 years and have decades of lifebetween working at the cutting edge of left in them, with regular maintenance anddigital substation technology and keeping upgradesa textbook example of gettinglegacy electro-mechanical assets running the most out of older assets, to maximisefor decades to come. Both are aspects of the value of original investments and reduceand tapchanger replacement at a cost of Total Voltage Control and are essential for the need for new costs.2 million. They were astonished when wethe sustainability of the gridand its ability told them we had the parts, factory manualsto deliver clean, green electricity for a 100+ year asset life? and know-how to restore its performancesustainable future.I have lost count of the conversations Ito 100% - and doubly amazed when we said have had with newer generations of gridthat, with basic maintenance, it would last engineers who, knowing Fundamentals forat least another 35-40 years and probably our new tech AVC expertise, are amazedreach its 100th birthday.that we can help keep tapchangers workingIf youre interested in a career in that were installed long before they wereAmong the advantages of old electro- power systems, have a willingness born. Let me give you an example: mechanical units is that many were robustlyto develop, and a desire to take on engineered, with parts such as contacts andnew challenges with a yes we can We were recently called to a 132/11/11kVswitches that are accessible and relativelyattitude, we would like to talk with transformer with a tapchanger that waseasy to replace. With basic mechanicalyou. Please visit fundamentalsltd.starting to give problems after more thanmaintenance, plus monitoring of oil levelsco.uk/careers or contact us on six decades of operation. The site engineersand condition, their life expectancy iscareers@fundamentalsltd.co.uk.were considering a complete transformereffectively infinite.'