23611 Chagrin Blvd., Suite 320, Cleveland, OH 44122-5540 • Phone: (216) 295-4800 • www.ninesigma.com
REQUEST # 60582
Monitoring System for Detecting Power Line Sag
RFP format and graphics© Copyright 2009 NineSigma, Inc
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL DESCRIPTION
NineSigma, representing a multi-billion dollar
global electric and electronics equipment
manufacturer, invites proposals for systems to
detect sag for long distance overhead power
lines. Of interest are systems that minimize or
eliminate the use of distributed sensors along the
power lines and on the towers.
Typical power line configuration (see Figure 1):
• Power line: 100-1,000 km
• Span: a portion of line between adjacent
towers, 0.3-1.0 km
• Station: electric power station or sub-station
• Critical clearance: critical distance between
the power line and the object due to critical
sag
Anticipated sag monitoring and measurement
technologies will:
1) Detect and measure sag with a maximum
value between stations or substations. The
maximum value is the greatest sag or the
sag leading to a most critical clearance
against the ground or objects. Necessary
terrain information is provided by other
means from the user of the monitoring
system.
Or,
fied
cific terrain information
eing provided.
hich is
steps for achieving the target will be clarified.
2) The solution must be able to calculate the
clearance between the line and the nearest
object or the ground within the user-speci
area, without spe
b
Specifications:
• Monitoring cycle: 3 to 5 minutes
• Sag/Clearance to ground or objects
measurement accuracy: max 10 cm, w
an ultimate target toward the phase 2
(commercialization) but not mandatory in
phase 1 (technology development), if the
Constraints:
• Measurement can be done remotely, e.g.,
from electric power stations or sub-stations
Measurement not only from 1 location but
.
quantity of sensors at the commercialization
from 2 to 5 locations can be the solution.
• No sensor device on each span or tower
along the power lines is an ultimate target.
However, such technologies should not be
excluded that require a very limited quantity
of sensors, e.g. 2-3 per 10 spans, or that can
evolve to solutions with zero or a very limited
RESPONSE DUE DATE: May 29, 2009
(click buttons above)
MANAGER: Peter Yokoyama, yokoyama@ninesigma.com
SOLUTION PROVIDER HELP DESK
PHONE: 216-283-3901
Opportunity
Technology Licensing, Contract Development, Joint
Development
Timeline
Phase 1: Technology development (< 2 year)
Phase 2: Commercialization (< 1 year)
Financials
Phase 1: ~300K USD (Depending on a complexity
and a stage of development. Details to be discussed)
Figure 1: Typical power line configuration
NineSigma Request Page 2# 60582 Monitoring System for Detecting Power Line Sag
23611 Chagrin Blvd., Suite 320, Cleveland, OH 44122-5540 • Phone: (216) 295-4800 • www.ninesigma.com
stage. Such sensors, if required, should be
maintenance free.
• Power line current should not be turned off at
the installation of the proposed technology.
Please use the response template for proposal
submissions.
(https://www.myninesigma.com/sites/public/_layout
s/ProposalTemplates/Response_Template_60582.
doc)
BACKGROUND
NineSigma’s client is seeking a real time high
accurate sag monitoring and measurement
technology with no or a very limited number of
sensor devices on power lines. The objective is to
pursue more scalable and cost effective solution
than today’s technology as well as highly accurate
measurement technology.
Commonly used technologies for sag or clearance
place sensor devices on each span or tower along
the power lines to monitor and measure critical
sags caused by local weather, unexpected defects
or changes. The monitoring technologies built on
sensor devices distributed on each span or tower,
or those built on optical fiber cables installed along
the power lines can certainly detect and measure
the sag at a high accuracy. However, as the
coverage of the power line increases, the
installation and maintenance cost of such sensors
or cables becomes a substantial cost for the
common technologies.
Anticipated values provided by the technology
under exploration are cost effectiveness, scalability
over the longer distance power lines, and an
optimal use of a current transmission capacity
based on Dynamic Current Rating. In order to
launch such a technology at a right time, the client
has decided to seek potential solutions from the
global innovation community.
POSSIBLE APPROACHES
Enabling measurement technologies are based on
but not limited to the following:
• Time synchronized phasor measurements of
power line current and/or voltages
• Power Line Carrier (PLC) amplitude signal
and/or frequency variation measurements
• Ultrasonic guided wave measurement
• Detecting irregularities or critical sag by
measuring the phase difference of the electric
surcharge at 2 or more locations
• Use of a minimum number of sensors and a
signal transmission method
○ Current sensor + GPS
○ Temperature sensor + wireless
communication mean
APPROACHES NOT OF INTEREST
Approaches that require a high cost of installation,
maintenance, and/or a costly operation:
• Technology that requires camera, reflector,
tension sensor, inclination sensor, GPS, etc.
on each span or tower along power lines
• Technology that requires installation of extra
signal line, e.g. optical fiber along power lines
• Solutions based on unmanned helicopter with
cameras, laser sensing devices
ANTICIPATED PROJECT PHASES OR PROJECT PLAN
Phase 1: Technology development (< 2 year)
• Feasibilities of the promising technologies are
evaluated under the NDA after a preliminary
screening of the incoming proposals.
• Prototype and evaluate the technology that is
judged feasible under a development
agreement.
Phase 2: Commercialization (< 1 year)
• Development and verification continues to
blush up the technology toward a
commercialization.
ITEMS TO BE INCLUDED IN THE PROPOSAL
Please use the response template and include the
followings in your proposals:
• Organization information in brief
• Overview of the proposed technology
• Past achievements
• Current performance (measurement accuracy,
number of sensors per span, number of
spans or span that can be measured)
• Testing results that demonstrate a feasibility
of the proposed or the baseline technology
• Challenges to be overcome in order to meet
the target specifications
• Strength and uniqueness
• Testing assets, e.g. their own power line, or
access to public power line if partnering with
electric utilities.
NineSigma Request # 60582 Monitoring System for Detecting Power Line Sag Page 3
RESPONDING TO THIS REQUEST
NON-CONFIDENTIAL DISCLOSURE
By submitting a Response you represent that the
Response does not and will not be deemed to contain
any confidential information of any kind whatsoever.
Your Response should be an executive summary (about
3 pages). The Response should briefly describe the
technical approach and provide information on
technology performance, background, and description of
the responding team and their related experience. A
Response Template is available from our website.
By submitting a Response, you acknowledge that
NineSigma’s client reserves the sole and absolute right
and discretion to select for award all, some, or none of
the Responses received for this announcement.
NineSigma’s client also may choose to select only
specific tasks within a proposal for award. NineSigma's
client has the sole and absolute discretion to determine
all award amounts.
RESPONSE EVALUATION
NineSigma’s client will evaluate the Response using the
following criteria:
• Overall scientific and technical merit of the
proposed approach
• Approach to proof of concept or performance
• Potential for proprietary position (i.e., is the
technology novel or protectable)
• Economic potential of concept
• Respondent’s capabilities and related experience
• Realism of the proposed plan and cost estimates
The client will contact respondents with highly
responsive proposals for next steps.
23611 Chagrin Blvd., Suite 320, Cleveland, OH 44122-5540 • Phone: (216) 295-4800 • www.ninesigma.com