HOME > Activities > Project Subjects > Stable power supply technology
Appropriate operation and maintenance of the facilities and equipment from generation to distribution are key issues in ensuring a stable and long term supply of electricity. CRIEPI is conducting research and development on technologies that support measures to protect electric power facilities from natural disasters, as well as logical and advanced diagnostics and methods of operating and maintaining facilities and equipment.
In addition, we are pursuing research and development related to the stable supply and effective utilization of resources for thermal power generation and technologies for reducing CO2 emissions.
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Investigation of snow accretion on overhead transmission lines
To evaluate snow accretion on overhead transmission lines, we carry out field observations. The data obtained is integrated in a database of damages due to snow accretion and is used to verify the effectiveness of countermeasures, to investigate snow accretion behavior, and to develop methods for forecasting snow accretion events. In addition, CRIEPI is developing diagnostic techniques for age-related deterioration of overhead transmission lines, e.g. corrosion and fatigue, and analysis techniques for determining the deterioration's cause.
Development of technologies for stable operation of aged power distribution facilities
CRIEPI is developing rational and advanced diagnostic techniques for facilities, as well as support technologies for operation and maintenance that can be employed onsite in order to ensure a stable, long term supply of power. We are developing insulation degradation diagnosis technologies for XLPE cables (a type of electric power cable), technology for the diagnosis of deterioration and malfunctions in transformers, methods for evaluating the degree of deterioration of coatings, and onsite asset management
Development of simple disposal and measurement technologies for transformers contaminated with PCBs
CRIEPI aims to develop practical technologies that contribute to measuring and disposing of PCBs safely and at low cost. These technologies include a fast method of measuring PCBs in insulating oil with biosensors using the antigen antibody reaction, and methods of removing PCBs from transformers by replacing the insulating oil and energizing the transformer.
Development of numerical simulation to predict the performance of coal gasifiers
The Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) is expected to contribute to energy security and the reduction of CO2 emissions. A numerical simulation technique, together with experimental research using the Test Gasifier, to optimize component design and operation conditions of coal gasifiers, has been developed, as one of the core technologies related to IGCC.
Evaluation of the hydraulic behavior of CO2 underground
CRIEPI is conducting research to forecast the convection and diffusion of CO2 injected into water around underground rock. In this research, an apparatus is used in which the temperature and the pressure of the water-filled rock sample are kept the same as those underground. CO2 is injected into the sample and then the effective permeabilities of CO2 and water are measured. (Figure: Outline drawing of the two-phase flow test apparatus)
Evaluation of durability and cooling system performance of gas turbine blades
Gas turbine blades used in natural gas combined-cycle power plants are exposed to very severe, high-temperature combustion gas environments reaching around 1500°C, which requires complex cooling paths to keep the metal temperature below an acceptable level. To evaluate the cooling performance, an instrument to measure the cooling path configuration, test equipment to observe temperature distribution on the surface by blowing hot air flow into the cooling system, and a numerical simulation technique to analyze heat transfer within the blades have been developed.
Development Development of power generation system with biomass/waste gasification
An environmentally friendly carbonizing gasification power generation system which efficiently consumes mixtures of woody and waste-origin biomass fuels is under development. From the demonstration tests performed so far, high power generation efficiencies are expected to reach up to around 25 percent for a system with gas engines, and around 32 percent with high temperature fuel cells, respectively.
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HOME > Activities > Project Subjects > Stable power supply technology
