An overview on power transformer management: Individual Assets and Fleets

A Power Transformer is an efficient and reliable machine that is designed and built to ensure a long useful life under normal operation. However, among the total number of operative power transformers installed in networks around the world, there are many aged units, which are approaching to the state of final failure. This situation of simultaneous aging becomes a major problem, and its proper solution is critical for the electric utilities because their financial performance and economic viability are unavoidably dependent on the reliability of this equipment. In this regard, this paper presents an overview on the optimal management of a power transformer fleet. The review is focused on a methodological scheme oriented to the assessment of the transformer risk index and its two main components: the probability of failure index and the post-failure consequence index.