Building a High‑Performance Asset Management Strategy for T&D Projects

With rising fossil fuel prices and growing global demand for alternative energy, transmission and distribution (T&D) projects must prioritize the lowest total cost of ownership (TCO) while maximizing asset utilization.

During front‑end loading, the reliability and maintainability plan should begin in parallel with, or even integrated into, the conceptual design phase. Reliability, measured by mean time between failures (MTBF), and maintainability, measured by mean time to repair (MTTR), become core metrics as the plan matures, enabling a detailed reliability‑engineering comparison of candidate components.

Choosing parts that minimize life‑cycle costs requires a clear understanding of each component’s failure modes. Evaluate the probability, severity, and detectability of failures—using the risk priority number from a failure‑mode and effect analysis (FMEA)—and develop a control plan that guarantees the projected availability.

Consider power transformers, which are both costly and critical to the grid. When specifying a transformer, ask whether the lowest initial cost that meets fit, form and function is sufficient, or if the full TCO should drive the decision.

A robust reliability and maintainability plan turns fault rates and controls into decisive selection criteria. For instance, a 5‑MVA transformer typically fails far less often than a 15‑MVA unit. Determine whether deploying multiple lower‑power transformers raises overall failure probability compared to a single higher‑capacity unit, and factor in each option’s controls and risk profile.

Criticality also influences decisions. If a transformer’s role is mission‑critical, the higher expense of online dissolved‑gas analysis (DGA) may be justified to monitor health and secure reliable service.

Fault tracking and root‑cause analysis underpin continuous improvement. Knowing that insulation breakdown is the predominant failure mode—and that transformers rated 300 kVA to 10 MVA exhibit the lowest failure rates—provides invaluable insight for setting project specifications.

Although the example focuses on transformers, the same principles apply to any component selection or T&D architecture in a capital‑improvement program. A systematic reliability and maintainability plan yields a clear asset‑management strategy that maximizes utilization and minimizes TCO.

This article first appeared in the October 2008 issue of Utility T&D Magazine.