Wide-area monitoring of the power system is becoming increasingly important as the UK is transitioning to a net-zero economy. To prevent blackouts, high-performance distributed sensors are required to provide sufficient real-time data for rapid control and protection of the power system. Moreover, extensive condition monitoring of often dynamically-rated power lines and cables is required as the grid undergoes unprecedented stresses due to the volatile loading scenarios and new weather extremes.

Synaptec's distributed photonic sensing technology is an ideal solution to this challenge as it piggybacks on the grid pre-installed fibre and offers cost-effective coverage of large geographic areas using high-performance passive sensors, not requiring buildings, power supplies, communication infrastructure, or GPS signals. Synaptec's customers have implemented novel control or protection schemes with a fraction of the cost of conventional technologies.

However, the technology requires a significant upgrade in terms of the sensor dynamic range and accuracy to be adopted universally by the network operators -- including circuits both outside and within the substation. While protection-grade measurements external to the substations are sufficient to implement hybrid or multi-ended circuit protection schemes, metering-grade or combined metering/protection-grade sensors are necessary to offer a holistic approach for extra- and intra-substation measurements. We estimate a 10-fold increase of the market share for Synaptec's solutions if the extended dynamic range challenge could be solved.

Consequently, this project will develop an extend-range sensor based on a ground-breaking new concept of passively auto-ranging the photonic transducer. The concept has been patented and early proof-of-concept investigations indicate its great success; however, the technology requires significant development before it can be turned into a commercial offering.

Therefore, the project consortium comprising Synaptec, University of Strathclyde and ITL will design and demonstrate a TRL6-7 distributed sensor system based on the auto-ranging concept. The innovation will involve ultra-low-power electronics to deliver passive auto-ranging functionality that is local to the sensors, together with extended-range current-to-voltage inductive converters, and an algorithm operating within the firmware of the central sensor interrogator to detect remote range changes and provide output scaling. The project will deliver a technology demonstrator that will be proven using Strathclyde's kA-level current injection facilities. The solution will compete on the measurement range and accuracy with nonconventional optical instrument transformers while offering an unprecedented level of multiplexing and geographical coverage, unachievable at this price point by any other technology. The project will significantly benefit and accelerate UK's transition to a sustainable energy economy.