Ranking components of high voltage switching and transformer stations

This paper describes a probabilistic method for ranking components of high voltage switching and transformer stations. The method is based on the analysis performed by the Hydro One area reliability evaluation program (AREP) and accounts for a number of factors such as the station configuration, station component reliability, position of the component in the station layout and the directions of flows on circuits emanating from the station. The various station components are ranked according to some selected station performance criteria in terms of their relative importance to the overall station performance. The purpose of the component ranking is to identify the most critical station components so that investment decisions can be made effectively to improve the performance of each individual component. An assessment procedure is introduced to illustrate how the results of the component ranking are used by transmission asset managers. The proposed method is illustrated using two Hydro One high voltage network stations.