Research and Technology Center

Investigate, consult, train

The Research and Technology Center is a manufacturer-independent, accredited testing institution for the investigation and development of components, assemblies and complex systems of the energy infrastructure, in particular of overhead power lines. Utilities, service providers and component manufacturers from all over the world make use of its specialized expertise.

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OVER 50 YEARS

expertise

Our experts have been consulting you with their extensive expertise since the institution was founded in 1969.

Your partner for testing and evaluation of high-voltage components

Since we were founded in 1969, we have built up an extensive know how and have been acting as a partner for research and development projects with our testing capabilities for over 50 years. Our work on standardization committees and a large number of publications in partnership with our customers are proof of our professional expertise.

Testing
We investigate the operational reliability and safety of transmission and distribution grids and the associated substations and analyze the interaction of individual components and systems.trennlinie

Inspection
We carry out extensive on site inspections and damage analyses on overhead power lines and substations. Our customers receive comprehensive recommendations on how to deal with detected anomalies.trennlinieTraining
We offer basic training on overhead power lines and their components to our customers as well as basic training for linesmen.trennlinie

DIN EN ISO IEC 17025

accredited

As an accredited testing institution, we guarantee independent and comprehensive quality control. You can find our accreditation certificate and the list of our test standards under “Downloads”.

Research and Technology Center - Copyright SPIE
services

Testing infrastructure

A wide variety of testing equipment and special set-ups are available in the laboratories, which are capable of generating static as well as dynamic and periodic loads. Appropriate measuring methods enable to detect hidden weak points, for example using strain gauges to record mechanical stresses, imaging analyses, high-speed cameras and chemical analyses of metals.
Large and full-scale tests are preferably carried out at our outdoor testing area. For interdisciplinary tasks, the Research and Technology Center also includes universities, specialized testing laboratories or partners from the industry as required. Our clients receive solutions from one source.
• Forces from 50 N to 3,000 kN
• Horizontal, 17 m tensile testing machine
• Vibration test stand
• Creep strain test stand
• 50 m span for conductor testing
• 10 m portal tower
• Temperature chamber (-40 to 50 °C)
• 400 m outdoor testing area with a 12 m portal tower
• Optical emission and hot gas extraction spectrometer for chemical analysis of metals
• High-speed and infrared camera
• Drone featuring HD and IR camera
• Testing equipment for impact, hardness and standard tensile testing
• Calibration laboratory
• Non standard test set-ups in 60 m testing hall
WHAT SETS US APART

Your benefits

The international recognition of the work carried out by the Research and Technology Center is primarily based on the qualifications and experience of our team and our center’s outstanding technical equipment. Thanks to the ongoing training of our experts, we will continue to be your strong partner in the future.

Testing services 

 

In the Research and Technology Center, we carry out tests on new, aged and damaged components. These tests comply with national and international standards (e.g. EN, IEC, IEEE, ASTM, Cigré) as well as our customers’ specifications and our own requirements.
Mechanical, electrical, climatic, thermal and combined stresses are generated depending on the required task. These stresses can be applied statically, dynamically or periodically. Electric current heating allows testing to be carried out under operating temperature conditions. The chemical composition of metals may also be analyzed. 
We focus on all standard overhead line components, such as conductors, fittings, insulators, support structures and foundations. In addition, we also test special and new developed equipment such as high-temperature conductors and special fittings as well as substation components and components from other industries.

 

Research and Technology Center - Copyright SPIE
INVESTIGATE


Manufacturer-independent type tests and comparative analyses

Selected examples of standard testing services:

OVERHEAD LINE CONDUCTORS

  • Tensile testing
  • Stress-strain testing
  • Creep strain testing
  • Thermal expansion coefficient
  • Temperature sag testing
  • Derivation of sag calculation parameters
  • Single wire testing
  • Grease analyses
  • Special load testing for composite cores
  • Tensile force-torque measurement
  • Corrosion and ageing testing
  • AC/DC resistance measurement

FOUNDATIONS

  • Condition assessment for concrete quality, hardness, cover and geometric dimensions

FITTINGS AND INSULATORS

  • Tensile testing on individual components or assemblies
  • Slippage testing
  • Bending testing
  • Dynamic load transposition testing
  • Corrosion and ageing testing
  • Vibration testing
  • Current heating and heat cycle testing
  • Dynamic tensile testing

SUPPORT STRUCTURES

  • Steel quality testing – chemical composition, amongst others for brittleness (e.g. Thomas processed steel) and mechanical characteristics (standard tensile testing, Charpy testing, hardness)
  • Tensile testing on steel members
  • Tower testing
  • Condition assessment for corrosion and mechanical damage

Inspections and condition assessments

The results of on-site inspections and condition assessments of overhead power lines and substations are combined with the Research and Technology Center’s years of experience in condition assessment. Inspections can be carried out at different detail levels. Depending on our customers’ requirements, inspection can be carried out by helicopter and drone using different sensors or as a traditional inspection by foot. The observations can be used to derive recommended actions and refurbishment suggestions and to estimate the remaining service life.

Evaluation of the inspection data is also supported by image recognition software, which uses artificial intelligence to pre-filter the recorded data (photos as well as HD, infrared and corona videos), enabling more efficient post-processing. Our specialists use this data to and formulate recommended actions for successful refurbishment methods.

Where required, additional investigations of defect components can be carried out in the testing laboratory in order to provide our customers with comprehensive advice.
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CONSULT


Solutions tailored to our customers’ requirements

FROM LARGE-SCALE TESTING TO MICROANALYSIS

The Research and Technology Center is a strong partner, when it comes to both basic tensile testing and the coordination of multiple testing institutes working together on research programs. In addition to the testing laboratory, a 400-metre-long outdoor test area with a 16 meter high portal is available, and we can construct test set-ups up to ten meters high.

Research and Technology Center - Copyright SPIE
DEVELOP


Development of power supply components, modules and complex systems

Training and education

Training is an integral part of our services. Our training courses about the basics of overhead power lines and their components provide basic technical and practical background knowledge of overhead power lines to our customers, also teaching them how to safely handle all overhead power line components. Practical testing in our laboratories and field reports on ageing, damages and new developments complete the training program. 

We also offer a beginner’s course for linesmen, during which we use a special training site for practical exercises simulating the demanding work processes on construction sites.

In our training workshop, we train career starters to become industrial mechanics. 
The training module “Basics of overhead power lines and their components” covers the following topics: 
• Theory of overhead power lines 
• Practical testing in our laboratories 

• Field reports on anomalies, damages and new developments

 

Dates & Prices
TRAIN


Training for employees in the power supply industry and for linesmen

Research and Technology Center - Copyright SPIE
development

Both our knowledge of component testing and our expertise in various aspects of overhead power lines make us a reliable partner for your research and development projects. We support all project phases, from problem description and brainstorming, to concept creation, feasibility and profitability studies, until implementation and evaluation of technical innovations.

High transmission capacity delivered through narrow lines 

In cooperation with 50Hertz and other partners, SPIE has developed a completely new concept for high-voltage overhead power lines: compactLine. It is an innovative system that upgrades existing lines to deliver a higher transmission capacity.

The idea behind compactLine is as spectacular as it is unspectacular. The bundle configuration of conductors is supported by two tightly tensioned steel cables (like in cable cars or bridges), which significantly reduces the sag. New conductors for greater power output can be attached to these steel cables, resulting in fewer towers and narrower lines. At the same time, compactLine increases the transmission capacity of a conventional high-voltage power line from 220 kV to 380 kV.


An additional advantage:

With their pioneering design, new power lines also satisfy aesthetic requirements, as the more compact arrangement enables that the pylons and power lines are perceived as less obtrusive. This means new lines are more likely to be accepted by the public, making it easier for utilities to obtain the necessary permits for the construction of more powerful overhead power lines.

Research and Technology Center - Copyright SPIE
COMPACTLINE


The innovative overhead power line technology compactLine is becoming reality. From 2013 to 2016, SPIE undertook research into the development and testing of compactLine as part of the research consortium founded by 50Hertz. At the end of August 2018, a pilot section of the innovative compactLine overhead power line technology was commissioned in the eastern part of Saxony-Anhalt in Jessen (Elster).

Research and Technology Center - Copyright SPIE
downloads

Accreditation certificate

Download

Annex to the accreditation certificate

Download

List of test standards within the flexible scope

Download
contact

Thank you for your interest in the Research and Technology Center. We look forward to hearing from you.


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