Title
Optimal utilization of power transformers through virtual sensing
Abstract
Power transformers are the most critical and expensive assets for utility companies and are expected to last for at-least 30-40 years. Unfortunately, many of them have failed before reaching their rated life. In order to prevent such premature failures, utility companies usually deploy real time asset management system by installing thermal sensors (e.g. fiber-optical sensor) inside the tank of large transformers (~500MVA). However, being expensive, sensor deployment may not be commercially viable for small and medium size (<;=250MVA) transformers. This paper proposes an asset management scheme of such power transformers through virtual (sensor-less) sensing. It simulates transformer internal heating phenomena (like hot-spot temperature, insulation aging, loss of life, etc.) using easily available SCADA measurements, ambient temperature from on-line weather forecast, and transformer assets data. It predicts future load and incentive and optimizes transformer operation by analyzing the economic incentive for carrying power and payoff for the loss of life calculated from virtual sensing. Proposed scheme is evaluated and implemented in Fortum's transformers in Finland and experimental results are presented.
Year
DOI
Venue
2013
10.1109/ISGTEurope.2013.6695409
Innovative Smart Grid Technologies Europe
Keywords
Field
DocType
SCADA systems,fibre optic sensors,heating,power transformers,sensor placement,Finland,Fortum transformers,SCADA measurements,economic incentive,fiber-optical sensor,hot-spot temperature,installing thermal sensors,insulation aging,on-line weather forecast,optimal utilization,power transformers,real time asset management system,sensor deployment,transformer assets,transformer internal heating phenomena,transformer operation,transformers,virtual sensing,Condition Analysis,Economic Analysis,Power Transformer,Realtime
Energy efficient transformer,Current transformer,Distribution transformer,Installation,Transformer,SCADA,Engineering,Electrical engineering,Asset management,Reliability engineering,Isolation transformer
Conference
ISSN
Citations 
PageRank 
2165-4816
1
0.36
References 
Authors
0
4
Name
Order
Citations
PageRank
Jagabondhu Hazra1519.83
Kaushik Das2398.21
Asok Kumar331.43
Balakrishnan Narayanaswamy49110.70