Life cycle cost analysis of transmission and distribution systems

In the last years two topics are often in the discussion about energy supply companies. Special attention has been drawn by the topics of ldquolife-cycle-cost (LCC)rdquo and ldquorisk managementrdquo since the liberalization of the energy market in the late 90s of the last century. In Germany large parts of the 110 kV system were built up in the 60s and 70s, for this reason most of the assets increasingly reach their estimated life time. In this case, life cycle cost analysis offers a helpful methodology to compare different strategies like refurbishment, renewal or redesign. This paper presents the principle calculation of life-cycle-costs on a complete 110 kV overhead transmission grid with air insulated substations. The results depict the main cost-driving and most important elements of the system. On this basis, different maintenance strategies have been examined with regard to their corresponding life-cycle-costs.