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. A survey of electric power industry professionals found that dissolved-gas analysis (DGA) is becoming a preferred and vital part of utilities’ asset management strategies as they try to extend the life of their aging transformer fleets. But there's an impediment to wide-scale deployment - the cost.
The survey was conducted by LumaSense Technologies earlier this year in support a product launch. A small sample of power industry professionals – including electric utilities and transformer manufacturers around the world – was polled about DGA and transformer monitoring. Among the findings:
· 94% of respondents consider online DGA important
· 44% of respondents stated that 0-10% of their transformers have online DGA monitoring
· 44% of respondents said the average age of their transformers are 30+ years
The survey found that utilities and transformer makers are transitioning to technology that measures increased types of gasses, which according to LumaSense indicates the industry is taking steps toward more-sophisticated monitoring philosophies. For instance, nearly 70% said they are driving toward multiple-gas analysis of DGA measuring three to nine gases, as opposed to hydrogen only or a total combustible-gas (TCG) reading. Hydrogen and acetylene were selected as the two most-important gases/readings when reviewing DGA results for transformer main tanks.
However, the survey also found that most respondents said at least 75% of transformers in their fleets are not supported by online DGA monitoring, and 65% said they sample transformer oil for lab analysis – one of the more-traditional methods for transformer monitoring – only once or twice a year. When asked what factors matter most in selecting an online monitoring technology, price came out as a top consideration along with onsite service and support and the specific technology used.
LumaSense concluded that changes in total cost of ownership are required before wide-scale deployment of DGA monitoring occurs. Do you agree? Use the Talk Back comment form below.
You might also want to read…
Lessons from CIGRE - The importance of extending asset life
Transformers: More than meets the (smart grid observer’s) eye
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