By Marco Tozzi

"Only when monitoring all the key components and parameters can factors of health,

risk and reliability be better understood."

Power transformers are integral to the flow of energy and dynamic communication and could be viewed as the nerve centre in the era of digitalization of energy systems. However, environmental and operational factors can affect the health of an aged transformer fleet and reduce the capabilities and readiness for the technological change. 

The concerns of Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) in the electrical energy environment are increasingly devoted to transformer health and maintenance cost optimization. The intention is to extend the lifespan of transformers, but quality and reliability do not always follow this extension as production is often affected by economical constraints due to aggressive competition pushing for reducing material costs. In addition, the integration of renewable energies is creating scenarios where the effects of harmonics, switching transients and intermittent load on the transformer insulation are very often unknown and unpredictable.


Managing and mitigating this increased and changing risk profile requires new methodologies for asset owners. The way to improve the transformer reliability and gain real insight into its condition is to address its critical components in real operating conditions.

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This article was originally published in the October 2019 issue of the Best Practices: Transformer Testing, Maintenance and Monitoring magazine.

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