A Novel Fuzzy Logic Technique for Power Transformer Asset Management

Due to deregulation, increased demand, economic pressures, and profit constrains transformer management has gained remarkable recognition. Asset management is becoming increasingly important as the average age of transformer increases. Existing assets serving closer to their expected life or beyond are being considered for further utilization in order to reduce capital expenditure as the replacement cost of these transformers is too high. Irrespective of the failure rate, transformers are also of higher concern from the asset management view point. The asset management aims to have a flexible decision on transformer retirement/ replacement or relocation. An accurate asset management ensures that a transformer will serve closer to its rated output and life without sacrificing its practical integrity. Transformer's performance, reliability and technical life can be increased with the implementation of better management strategies and correct operational criteria. Using fuzzy modeling, this paper presents asset management strategies based on transformer remnant life and rate of aging assessments