Hydro-Québec

About: Hydro-Québec is a government organization based out in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Electric power system & Dielectric. The organization has 2596 authors who have published 4433 publications receiving 100878 citations.

Nanodielectics. A "Universal" Panacea for Solving All Electrical Insualation Problems? [EXTENDED ABSTRACT]

Abstract: This is an extended abstract. The corresponding conference paper can be accessed at the following Web address: https://lra.le.ac.uk/handle/2381/10000

Deep Convolutional Variational Autoencoder as a 2D-Visualization Tool for Partial Discharge Source Classification in Hydrogenerators

Abstract: Hydrogenerators are strategic assets for power utilities. Their reliability and availability can lead to significant benefits. For decades, monitoring and diagnosis of hydrogenerators have been at the core of maintenance strategies. A significant part of generator diagnosis relies on Partial Discharge (PD) measurements, because the main cause of hydrogenerator breakdown comes from failure of its high voltage stator, which is a major component of hydrogenerators. A study of all stator failure mechanisms reveals that more than 85% of them involve the presence of PD activity. PD signal can be detected from the lead of the hydrogenerator while it is running, thus allowing for on-line diagnosis. Hydro-Quebec has been collecting more than 33 000 unlabeled PD measurement files over the last decades. Up to now, this diagnostic technique has been quantified based on global PD amplitudes and integrated PD energy irrespective of the source of the PD signal. Several PD sources exist and they all have different relative risk, but in order to recognize the nature of the PD, or its source, the judgement of experts is required. In this paper, we propose a new method based on visual data analysis to build a PD source classifier with a minimum of labeled data. A convolutional variational autoencoder has been used to help experts to visually select the best training data set in order to improve the performances of the PD source classifier.

Study of discharge in air from the tip of an icicle

Abstract: Electric discharge between the tip of an icicle and a plane electrode has been studied because of its relevance to the flashover of high voltage ice-covered insulators. A photomultiplier was used to scan the high voltage rod simultaneously with current measurement technique. The basic properties of streamers, namely the onset voltage, leakage current, mean propagation velocity and breakdown voltage, have been measured and compared with propagation from a metal rod as a reference. The effects of several experimental parameters such as freezing water conductivity, surrounding temperature and air gap length on the discharge characteristics have been examined. Possible mechanisms, which control discharges from ice points, have also been discussed and empirical relationships to predict breakdown voltage have been derived.