Assessment of Condition Monitoring of Distribution Transformer to Enhance Microgrid Reliability

The power sector is the main heartline of the developing nation. Reliable and quality power is the key factor for the power grid system. Recent microgrids are incorporated with reliable, consistent, and quality power supply. In the recent scenario of the microgrid system, the transformer is a crucial element for the smooth functioning of the grid operation. To maintain the consistent operation of the transformer in the microgrid, its stable operation is the main concern of a power engineer. The transformer is a continuous operating device under all environmental conditions as well as electrical, thermal, and mechanical stress conditions. For the smooth operation of the transformer, the observability of the operating parameters is the most important task and a system is necessary to design such that it provides the condition monitoring mechanism on the distribution transformer. Related to above said task, it is necessary to review the research work done over the years in transformer condition monitoring. In this paper, the review task is carried out with reputed research articles. The entire transformer condition monitoring is not done with only electrical parameters but thermal and mechanical parameters are also governing factors on the operation of the transformer. This review paper covers all non-electrical and electrical parameter-based monitoring schemes. Also, a scheme has been suggested for online condition monitoring of distribution transformers for optimum grid operation.