The energy transition and grid expansion are progressing incessantly – while this is a great development, it poses major challenges for energy suppliers and grid operators. New technologies play a key role: If intelligent systems and sensors work together at all important distribution points, they function both as a database and an "artificial specialist". Digitalised, intelligent systems provide precise and condition-based recommendations for actions to asset management and thus actively help to keep fleets safe and healthy. With the right cyber security concepts in place, the following three levels are particularly important.
How AI can lend a hand
Intelligent transformers and learning sensors relieve asset managers and improve performance and asset life.
How AI can lend a hand
Intelligent transformers and learning sensors relieve asset managers and improve performance and asset life.
1. Intelligent Sensors
Sensors on the transformer measure numerous values that are necessary for monitoring and maintenance. The MSENSE® sensors can do even more: equipped with artificial intelligence, they can also evaluate their measurements. For this purpose, the sensor is "trained", so to speak. In the DGA sensor for example, the algorithm learns the correlations between the gas concentration in the insulating oil, the sensor signal and possible disrupting influences via training data sets. Connected to the transformer, the sensor knows directly what to do, can evaluate its own measurements and adjust them if necessary. "With the laboratory analysis of the oil as a reference point, the DGA sensor then also gets to know its transformer and continuously recalibrates itself," explains Tobias Gruber. He is a product manager at MR and involved in the development for algorithms and mathematical training methods. "In this way, effects such as sensor drift and the like can be compensated for." Afterwards, the smart sensor transmits its information and recommendations digitally to the next instance.
Cybersecurity… within the sensor
If highly sensitive information falls into the wrong hands, the damage can be immense. To protect it, a tight cybersecurity concept is necessary, which starts with the sensors. Dr Hubert Feyrer, MR expert with a PhD in computer science, explains. "Cyber security does not only mean that unauthorised persons do not have access to my sensor measurements. But also, that our systems are ready, available and their delivered data is reliable and correct at all times." Since many decisions are based on the measurements of the sensors, their flawless operation is particularly important. Here, too, the artificial intelligence intervenes and, by comparing it with its learned knowledge, checks when measurements appear to be faulty.
„The trend is towards more remote control, and therefore more networking, and in turn more attack surface that needs to be secured.“
2. Intelligent Data Evaluation
Sensors by themselves are not enough. There are usually several sensors attached to a transformer that continuously report data. In some cases, certain values are measured simultaneously by several sensors. To turn this cacophony of information into a harmonious concert, the next intelligent unit does its work on the transformer. The ISM® computing unit in the intelligent ETOS® automation system bundles all the data and passes on the results and evaluations to the asset management. The AI at the transformer can intercept contradictory values before they are forwarded, reevaluate them and take corrective action. "A Bayesian network checks which errors best match the warnings that have and have not occurred," explains Gruber. "In addition, the a-priori-probabilities for typical transformer faults and the reliability of the sensors are taken into account." The result is a probability estimate for all known transformer problems.
Cybersecurity… Within the Transformer
For example, by using the MR myReinhausen customer portal, customers ensure that their ETOS® is always equipped with the latest software updates and that cybersecurity is as high as possible, Feyrer tells us. "To deploy our products at the customer new vulnerabilities must also be identified, and any resulting risks must be assessed. It is our job to provide customers with security updates for our products accordingly." At MR, this is taken care of not only by the developers but also by many departments with their individual expertise: from IT to human resources and purchasing to the legal department. International standards such as ISO 27001 and IEC 62443 provide procedural models that include planning, implementation, review and continuous improvement.
3. Intelligent Fleet Management
Rarely is it just about one single transformer. In most cases, asset managers take care of a whole fleet of different makes and variants, some from different manufacturers, which also have individual maintenance needs due to their respective age. Once all the transformers have been digitised, their data can be fed into the TESSA® APM® fleet management system. This evaluates the data and provides support through independent analyses and independent recommendations and warnings. The algorithms learn the longer they monitor their associated assets. All offline data is also incorporated here, as well as the valuable know-how of the specialists on site.
From sensors to transformers to asset management: digitally connected and supported by AI, operators get a much more accurate picture of the health of their fleet - which not only results in safer operations, but also makes maintenance more targeted and thus more cost-effective.
Cybersecurity… Within the Management
When ETOS® is connected to TESSA®, the departments responsible for the two MR products coordinate the encryption infrastructure in between. Feyrer adds, "Security in development also includes performing independent checks in the form of penetration tests and independent audits before delivery to customers." Even when the devices and platform are in operation, Reinhausen can monitor the systems, detect any vulnerabilities immediately and provide a solution in the form of software updates. "Cybersecurity is a team sport that we master together through commitment and expertise."
AI from A to Z
Would you like to learn more about the artificial intelligence behind our system or are you interested in our cyber security concept? Then read more about it in the current issue of our magazine ONLOAD.
Here you find the article.
