Substation Transformer Replacement Plan

Abstract

About half of the Gainesville Regional Utilities (GRU) substation transformers are above their industry usage limit standard of 45 years and are prone to catastrophic failure. This study critical health data was captured using an asset management software, called Cascade. The health of each power transformers was measured by multiple criteria such as gassing, hazard factor, age, customer count, percent of loading, switch ability, priority customer factor and fault count. These factors were combined and weighted using a Risk Priority Numbers (RPN) that provided a total risk of failure value. From a total of 52 power transformers, the utility found as a result 32 power transformers with high risk of failure. Energy Supply manage 18 of those transformers and Energy Delivery manage 14 of those transformers. It was recommended and planned to start developing the engineering and procurement process to replace these transformers based on the risk priority and the operations configuration of the system. Key Terms ⎯ Electric Energy, Power Transformers, Substations, Utilities.