T&ERTTA, technical & economical real time transformer assessmemnt: An innovative approach on power transformer life cycle management

This exploratory paper introduces T&ERTTA, a new methodological approach for technical & economical power transformer assessment in digitalized substations, providing improved life cycle management, integrating Utility Maintenance, Planning and Operation areas. The integrated asset management is achieved via a smart real time function that relates transformer true available life to its planned life and its amortization profile. Based on new smart substation CASF concept, which provides friendly usage of substation detailed operation and maintenance (O&M) real time data base, the methodology calculates real daily loss of technical transformer life, based on solid insulation degradation and other key substation/transformer data, computing its life much more accurately than standardized life loss analysis based on temperature. By means of correlating it with the expectation of planned technical life and transformer amortization period, T&ERTTA allows optimal safe daily dispatch, according to dynamic - or more flexible - planning criteria for system operation and/or expansion, including modularization of the substation assets revenue, investments postponement, and MW investment assertiveness, helping Utility strategic decision-maker in critical processes.