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  Trouble Ahead – A Supply Chain Crisis for Utilities!

  Posted by Ian Jones on March 3, 2023 at 3:49 am

  From my colleague Mark Konya – I’d be interested to hear how others are managing this situation.

  This article appeared in the March 2023 issue of T&D World; it is well-worth reading!

  One of the big challenges facing utilities right now is the severe shortage of pole-mounted and pad-mount distribution transformers.  While there are a number of reasons cited for this in the article, utilities are seeking ways to work around inventory shortages in order to provide reliable service for both new and existing customers.  One of their approaches involves re-deployment of underutilized transformers.

  Re-deployment first requires identifying transformers whose peak loads are significantly less than their nameplate ratings, followed by replacing those transformers with more appropriately sized units.  The oversized units can then be refurbished/redeployed to a more appropriate load setting.  Of course, identifying underutilized transformers is a bit of a task, but with AMI data, transformer loads can be readily determined through aggregation of customer load by transformer and time stamp – a task which is readily accomplished with advanced analytics engines.

  On the other hand, it’s also important to know which transformers are overloaded, placing them at increased risk of failure.  Again, these can be identified through aggregation of AMI data and targeted for replacement, thus avoiding unscheduled downtime! Removing an overloaded transformer before it fails allows it to be re-used without placing additional demand on critical inventory.

  Another innovative approach to ameliorating the transformer supply chain crisis is to identify degraded transformer assets using mobile radio-frequency detection.  For example, SAS and Exacter have partnered to offer Grid Guardian AI to utilities.  This technology relies on mobile RF detection technology to target the sources of partial discharge which occur when overhead assets are at the front-end of a failure cycle.  The sensors are typically mounted on garbage trucks which traverse regular, repeated routes; data flowing from these sensors are uploaded to the cloud where they are analyzed to pinpoint the exact component which is failing.  A list of failing assets, prioritized by CI, CMI, or any other prioritization parameter of interest, is provided to the utility so they can dispatch repair crews to the targeted location.  Again, this predictive technology enables the utility to avoid transformer outages AND avoid replacing transformers from a critically strained inventory!

  Is your utility experiencing a distribution transformer supply chain crisis?  If so, what are some of the ways you’re using analytics to deal with the associated challenges?

  ——————————
  Mark J. Konya, P.E.
  Advisory Industry Consultant
  SAS
  Cary, NC
  919-531-1638
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  ——————————
  Ian Jones
  SAS Energy
  ——————————

  Ian Jones replied 1 year, 8 months ago 1 Member · 0 Replies
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