Issue link: https://read.utilityweek.co.uk/i/665572
NETWORK / 24 / APRIL 2016 Transformers are expensive assets, and they are at the heart of some of the energy system's biggest struggles to adopt low-carbon and distributed technologies. It's no surprise, therefore, that technology and service suppliers have recently brought a raft of products to market to help networks extend the life of their transformers, improve their efficiency and make them smarter. By happy coincidence, such products can help networks perform well under a RIIO and totex- centric regulatory regime. IntellIgent solutIons At a recent technical briefing, Craig Carrington, sales manager at ABB power products, revealed details of a new set of products and services in this space. CoreTec and CoreSense are ABB's latest additions to the transformer intelligence marketplace, and are available with a number of extra options for advanced consultancy services. The foundation CoreTec product lets industrial and commercial users – as well as network operators – see fundamental asset health information such as hydrogen levels, moisture levels and contact wear. It also has automated cooling and testing capabilities. The more advanced CoreSense product, meanwhile, helps network operators interpret this data and develop a comprehensive asset operation and maintenance strategy. By doing this, and through investment in aligned refurbishment and regeneration activities, networks can reasonably expect to extend the life of some of their most critical equipment by 10 to 15 years. DIfferentIatIon anD value aDD According to Carrington, a unique selling point for the ABB product range is that it is comes with an assurance of maintenance- free operation for as long as 15 years. Other leading solutions in this field – he pointed to GE as an example – need replacement parts and energy sources for sensor equipment on a relatively regular basis. Highlighting the biggest areas for realising value through transformer intelligence, Carrington points to the potential to reduce failures caused by tired tap changers – perhaps the most common source of transformer breakdowns. I f there's one topic that can unite a room full of engineers in the UK, across the energy sector and beyond, it's skills pipelines and future talent. But despite this animation industry skills obstacles seem immovable. Figures about skills gaps, job vacancies and potential economic value – to be lost or gained – are endlessly trotted out to perpetuate a sense of urgency about the challenges industry faces. They are used to stimulate Mission: impossible? TRANSFORMER INTELLIGENCE smartening up transformers is a first step to energy transformation – and it brings savings. SKILLS Skills gaps are proving hard to bridge. What more can be done? SKILLS