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HydroVantage optimizes spare transformer strategy at Grand Coulee DamThere are 18 x100 MW generating units at Grand Coulee, in Washington State; each feeds three single-phase step-up transformers. All 54 transformers are water-cooled and are electrically identical; their ages range from 16 to 62 years. To minimize the cost of an unplanned outage the power plant has always kept two spares on site. A transformer replacement strategy has been in effect. Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), which has financial responsibility for the plant, asked Hatch Energy to examine these strategies. Hatch Energy used HydroVantage decision support software to determine the optimal number of spare phases to keep in reserve, and the most effective replacement strategy for the transformers.
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Following condition assessment of the installed components, and definition of the costs associated with failures, HydroVantage was used to carry out failure-probability analyses and to evaluate risk exposures. Multiple scenarios were considered, and a recommendation was made to add a third spare to the on-site inventory. By doing so BPA was able to reduce its exposure to risk by about US$6 million. In addition, a recommendation was made to defer the transformer replacement strategy. |
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