CIRED2009 0028 Paper
CIRED2009 0028 Paper
CIRED2009 0028 Paper
Paper 0028
José L. MARTINEZ
Edenor S.A. - Argentina
jmartinez@edenor.com
Paper 0028
Analyzing the topology of the network and unbundling it in defined. The WPro are a task list to be executed on a certain
functional units, defining both, the component items (power item when both, its condition indicate it or a parameter of
transformer, circuit-breaker, disconnector, instrument control has reached a limit. Such parameter can be time (in
transformer, surge arrester) and their physical location, case of scheduled maintenance), number of operations,
“modules of maintenance” were defined, considering that accumulated kA or others. In the WPro, the tasks to perform
to perform maintenance tasks in an item of a module, such and all the necessary specifications for its execution are
module must be taken out of service as a whole (Fig. 2). described, as well as the required resources. In addition, a
number of Technical Procedures define how to execute
every maintenance task.
Every WPro were developed from the available experience,
taking into account the knowledge acquired in field,
surveying the existing practices and performing a Failure
Mode Effects and Criticality Analysis (FMECA) for the
entire physical asset to be maintained. From this evaluation,
light and reinforced maintenance WPro were established.
The tasks to execute can also include measures or tests. In
this case, acceptable threshold values were specified, in
Fig. 2 - Modules of Maintenance
order to analyze “in field” the parameters under control and
The most common functions of such modules are detect possible deviations.
transmission lines, feeders, busbar coupling, transformation,
In the development of the WPro, the concept of “Out of
reactive compensation, etc. These modules can be linked
Range” task was introduced, to identify abnormalities or
among them establishing sets of “linked modules”, which
measures detected out of their admitted limit values.
are modules physically associated to fulfill one or more
electric functions into the network. Depending on their According to the obtained results, the item condition is
function, such linked modules can be either, simple or labeled. In case of detecting any anomaly, the priority of
complex ones. intervention is defined, depending on different critical
levels.
Simple sets have just one function; they extend between two
substations and are composed up to three modules. An Setting of Critical Levels
example is a set made up of a transmission line connected
between two main substations and its two switching To identify the condition of the equipment, a six-group-
modules (busbar disconnectors and circuit-breaker). The classification code was defined, according to the following
outage of any of them, brings about the unavailability of the verification criterion:
set as a whole. 0. No Out of Range situations, corrective actions are not
Complex sets have more than one function; they consist of required. The item is in good condition.
three or more simple modules and involve at least two 1. Critical Out of Range situations which solution must be
substations. Depending on the module affected, its outage “Immediate”. Otherwise, the item must be labeled as not
can cause or not the entire unavailability of the set. In available, for affecting the safety of people and
example, in a transmission line between two main installations, and the quality of supply.
substations that besides feeds secondary substations, the 2. Serious Out of Range situations which solution must be
loss of one switching module does not cause the “Priority”; the item can remain in service, but requiring
unavailability of the line as feeder of the secondary a maintenance task as soon as possible.
substations; in the same way, the outage of the
3. Moderate Out of Range situations which solution can be
transformation modules does not affect the transmission
“Programmed”; the item can remain in service, but
function of the line. In contrast, taking out of service the
requiring a maintenance task the next scheduled outage.
transmission line causes the unavailability of the whole set.
4. Tolerable Out of Range situations that allow keeping the
Under this concept, when an installation is required to be
item in service as Observed.
out of service for maintenance, by modeling the HV
network splitting it in “modules of maintenance” the 5. Out of Range situations no attributed to an abnormality
maintenance planning can be optimized, taking advantage or measured value detected; the solution requires
of the programmed outages to perform maintenance tasks, modifying the WPro.
improving so the use of resources and increasing the The setting of different critical levels allows, in case of
availability of the installations. detecting Out of Range values or abnormalities, labeling the
condition of the equipment to control its evolution and
Development of Work Programs address the necessary actions if major maintenance tasks are
For every physical asset in service different preventive and required, to restore its condition to a satisfactory level.
predictive maintenance Work Programs (WPro) were
Paper 0028
Paper 0028
combination of probability and consequences for different The extended use of this management model, has allowed
relevant unwanted events which can occur. reaching positive results as regards the improvement of the
Risk matrices divided into three areas, “Low”, “Medium” maintenance management, diminishing outages of the
and “High” (unacceptable) were developed for every equipment and increasing the availability of the
“module of maintenance”. The development of a “map of installations, making it possible to reduce maintenance
risk” of the HV network according to critical degrees, costs.
allowed identifying the most vulnerable items in the grid, A survey of the evolution of a number of balanced
for having in case of failure a higher impact in the quality of scorecards and key performance indicators (i.e. number of
supply. unwanted events, number of interruptions, number of
As from the risk classification performed, priorities for the programmed outages, maintenance costs, quality of supply),
maintenance of the equipment were defined, in order to shows the enhancement achieved by its development
assign the resources required to reduce levels of risk and concerning the efficiency of the maintenance management
maintenance activities were addressed for the different as a whole.
components in a differentiated way, considering the risk A further development is going in depth in a “bay by bay”
assessment of the HV network as a whole (Fig. 3). differentiated maintenance, according to criterions such as
environmental pollution, equipment characteristics, role of
Physical
Asset
the substation in the electrical system an so on, aiming at
increasing the availability of the installations and improving
Probability Impact Maintenance the quality of supply in a cost-effective way.
of failure of failure Decisions
Risk CONCLUSIONS
Assessment
In the context of the new electric markets it is essential to
Fig. 3 - Decision Scheme of the Risk Analysis reduce programmed outages in number and duration. To
face this situation, an optimized maintenance management
MANAGEMENT OF MAINTENANCE SKILLS model for H.V. substations, has been developed.
A key factor for the success of this maintenance model is This management model put a strong emphasis on the
the development of highly qualified manpower. execution of proactive maintenance tasks and takes into
account the “map of risk” of the HV network, to identify the
To perform the maintenance process in the most cost- levels of criticality of the installations.
effective way, part of traditionally in-house maintenance
tasks were outsourced. From this determination, focus was The results from its use at Edenor have proved to be highly
put on preserving in the company the know-how of the positive in terms of improvement of key performance
activities, strategic core skills that cannot be deprived under indicators and reduction of costs.
any circumstances [4]. In this way, personnel cost could be The model outlined has proved being useful for distribution
downsized outsourcing some maintenance activities and companies that operate into a competitive environment and
specific knowledge in the field of HV maintenance regulated markets with strict technical requirements to
equipment was concentrated. fulfill. This thread encourages to continue going in depth
As a result, a strong emphasis was put on the training of into its development, to successfully afford the changing
specialized in-house and outsourced work teams, improving environment for distribution utilities.
continuously and updating their knowledge and skills. Thus,
a best value was added to the maintenance activities, not REFERENCES
only in a profitable way but also through seeking additional
[1] Groot, E. et al, Successful Implemented Condition
advantage in terms of quality, performance and service
Based Maintenance Concept for Switchgear, 17th
improvement.
CIRED Conf. - Paper 1.14 (Barcelona, 2003).
OBTAINED RESULTS [2] Cliteur, G., Wetzer, J., Condition Assessment of Power
Transmission and Distribution Components, 16th CIRED
Through the model developed, outages could be optimized Conf. - Paper 1.26 (Amsterdam, 2001).
to perform maintenance tasks, unifying technical criterions [3] Nordgård, D. et al, Developing and Implementing a Risk
to be followed, categorizing the abnormalities detected Based Maintenance Strategy for Distribution
according to severity levels to prioritize the corrective Companies, 18th CIRED Conf. - Paper 292 (Turin,
actions to execute and controlling the obtained results. 2005).
This strategy is supported by a strong tendency toward the [4] Wester, P. et al, Outsourcing Maintenance Processes in
execution of predictive (on and off-line) tasks to assess the Electricity Utilities, 16th CIRED Conf. - Paper 6.18
condition of the equipment, detective actions searching for (Amsterdam, 2001).
hidden faults and the use of risk based techniques.