Planning and Optimizing the Replacement Strategies of Power Transformers: Literature Review

JEFFERSON ZUÑIGA; RIVERA, SERGIO R.; ANDRÉS ARTURO ROMERO QUETE; CORIA, GUSTAVO E.

Energies

MDPI

Año: 2023 vol. 16 p. 1 - 16

1996-1073

The power transformer is one of the most critical assets in power systems, therefore, planning and optimizing the economic investment for its replacement is crucial for the financial efficiency of the utility. A compilation of the main approaches reported in the literature for the replacement of oil-immersed power transformers is presented in this article. A chronological description of the litera-ture procedures for the determination of risk index, useful life evaluation, and transformer re-placements is provided. Methodologies that use the theoretical basis of the degree of polymeriza-tion of the solid insulation of the units, through the oxidation aging process to estimate their con-dition, bring together the best tools currently available to achieve this objective. Although, it is important and pertinent to complement these methodologies by considering the aging processes by pyrolysis and hydrolysis together and incorporating economic analyses for appropriate re-placement and management of these aged units.