The Power Transformer Real Time Thermal Rating project set out to demonstrate that additional capacity can be made available from existing assets on the electricity network by safely running transformers at higher temperatures.
The Power Transformer Real Time Thermal Rating project intends to demonstrate how additional capacity can be made available from
existing assets and defer reinforcement by three years or more. It is estimated that transformers can be loaded by up to 20% above static
seasonal rating.
Changes in environmental conditions have a dramatic effect on transformer loading and in urban areas due to rise in air conditioning
installations, historic conditions of load and ambient temperature may not be fully representative of the situation at particular sites. This
seasonal increase in loading may lead to cautious network reinforcement decisions.
This demonstration will be achieved by retrofitting TMS onto existing assets to provide real-time monitoring of the transformer’s health, and
continuously calculate the transformer thermal capacity, thereby safely loading the transformer close to the maximum top oil temperature
less 2 Deg Celsius allowed by design nameplate.
The project will retrofit a suitable Transformer Management System (TMS) solution at sites where tight capacity margins prevail during the current price contreol period (RIIO ED1), to trial Power Transformer Real Time Thermal Rating.
The main activities will be:
The RTTR project is:
The main learning that will be shared with other DNOs is expected to include: