1epri Substations

EPRI Destinations 2004
37 Substations
Program Overview
EPRIs Substations Program offers the most complete portfolio of technologies and tools available in the world for
energy company substation personnel. The 2003 project portfolio supports the corporate objectives of substation
owners, service providers and operators in todays challenging business climate. The projects presented help
substation owners reduce O&M costs, diagnose and fix problems before they cause outages, and improve substation
power quality and reliability. Related projects help extend equipment life; cut costs for substation design,
refurbishment, and construction; and ensure high levels of health and safety for substation workers, the public, and
the environment. Still others explore innovative new technology applications for cost-effective substation use. Of
particular importance to T&D owners and maintenance personnel is that the transformer, circuit breaker, and
insulator bushing results provided by this Program are directly applicable to low- and high-voltage applications.
This Program portfolio addresses the criticaland sometimes conflictingneeds of the power industry to reduce
costs while reliably accommodating ever-increasing power throughput. With these demands, O&M pressure has
never been higher than it is today for T&D substation owners, operators, and maintenance managers and their staff.
The Substations Program was developed based on extensive discussions and feedback from members. As such, the
Program meets corporate needs with innovative products that are integrated for maximum effectiveness and lowest
cost. For example, we offer a variety of innovative inspection and maintenance practices and advanced monitoring
and web-based diagnostic tools. These tools provide the data required for optimizing O&M for transformers as well
as transformer load tap changers, protection relays, and circuit breakers.
The Program portfolio also addresses substation O&M needs beyond condition monitoring and assessment. For
example, to minimize the cost of circuit breaker maintenance, we pioneered new technology for detecting leaks and
handling sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) gas. This year we will develop SF6 handling guidelines, condition monitoring
techniques, and possible SF6 replacements. Moreover, we will build on the groundwork performed on a smart
substation, which is being designed and specified from the ground up to provide the latest low-cost equipment (for
refurbished or new substations) with built-in diagnostic alarms that communicate to the substation manager exactly
which equipment needs maintenance, what it needs, and when it needs it, before costly outages or equipment
failures occur.
The Substations Program also provides a variety of advanced technologies and tools to meet the challenges of
maintaining and operating substation equipment in the increasingly competitive energy marketplace. These and
related products will help reduce the costs of maintaining existing and new substations while giving confidence to
substation managers that they will be able to meet or exceed the reliability measures/goals set for their operations.
For flexibility and convenience to funders, the projects are categorized into the following Project Sets:
PS37A Transformer Life Management

PS37B Improve Overall Substation Maintenance Management
PS37C Improve SF6 Equipment Performance
PS37D Advanced Technologies for Substation Design and Upgrading
PS37E Develop and Deploy Safe Work Practice Guidelines
PS37F Distribution Substations
Each Project Set contains an integrated package of projects that directly relate to and complement each other
namely, a set of projects that focus on providing value to customers by reducing maintenance costs on substation
equipment, a set of projects that focus on providing value to customers by reducing design and construction costs,
and a project set that improves the safety to workers by developing safe work practices (namely, for switching safety
systems).
p. 1
EPRI Destinations 2004 p. 2
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In short, the EPRI Substations Program offers products that enable better substation performance at lower cost, both
for today and into the future. If a customer implements even half of the results obtained from this Program this year,
on only one substation, it is estimated that reliability will improve by 5 to 10% and maintenance costs will be
reduced by 5 to 10%. As such, Program customers have estimated that they obtain a return on their investment in the
range of a factor of 2 - 4 by funding this Program.
PROJECT SET: PS37A Transformer Life Management (056064)
Project Set Overview
The set of projects below will help owners and providers of transformer services. The results of these projects will
reduce maintenance costs and extend the life of transformers. The focus for this Project Set is on transformer and
load tap changer (LTC) condition assessment, life extension, and overall asset management.
Marketing Lifetime Research

Number Project Title Number Date
P37.001 Transformer End-of-Life and Condition Assessment 056022 2004-2006
P37.002 Transformer Life Extension 058559 2004-2006
The projects summarized above describe research results that are planned for delivery between April 1, 2004 and March 31, 2007.
Delivery of these results is subject to availability of funds and to regulatory and technical uncertainties. Delivery dates and project
content may be influenced upon review by customers who have elected to fund the research.
P37.001 Transformer End-of-Life and Condition Assessment (056022)
Benefits: Reduce capital costs and increase reliability by improving the level of information obtainable for better
decision making through monitoring, diagnostics, and on-line condition assessment.
Description: There is an increasing need for electricity companies to employ assets to the fullest while maintaining
system reliability. In this environment, management of the aging population of power transformers has become the
most critical issue facing todays substation managers and engineers. Central to transformer management is effective
transformer diagnostics and condition assessment. This project will build on and continue EPRI research into
transformer and LTC diagnostics for end-of-life and condition assessment. It will evaluate and develop new
transformer diagnostic tools and evaluate existing hardware and software for transformer and LTC condition
assessment. Specialized sensor hardware will be developed to provide on-line data for use with these tools and
diagnostic methods. These efforts will use the knowledge and experience of the worlds leading transformer
engineers to develop diagnostic algorithms and expert system modules for transformer condition assessment and
diagnostics. The focus in 2004 will be on the following specific issues and tasks:
Insulation Dielectric Integrity: Transformers are subject to many extreme conditions including overloads resulting in
above-normal temperatures; through-faults that can cause movement in the insulation system; lightning and switching
surges that can cause internal localized over-voltages; and contamination from such items as moisture, particles, and
acids. All of these conditions can create problems in the transformer insulation system that can eventually lead to
failure, but in all of these cases the inception or increase in partial discharge (pd) activity is a precursor to incipient
dielectric faults. Because pd signals are extremely small and similar to interference signals found in substations,
their measurement is extremely difficult. One solution to this measurement problem is the fiber-optic acoustic pd
sensor developed earlier in this project. The purpose of this project task is to work towards commercialization of the
sensor, and instrumentation hardware and software. Partnerships with an instrument manufacturer and transformer
OEM will be developed for demonstration and commercialization.
Winding Movement and Mechanical Damage: Power transformers are subjected to many through-faults during their
lifetime. The extreme internal forces produced during these events can cause winding movement and subsequent
failure. Off-Line Frequency Response Analysis (FRA) testing is already recognized as an effective method to
identify partially damaged or loose transformer windings. The purpose of this project task is to continue the prior
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work into the feasibility of performing the FRA test on-line and automatically. The system to be developed is based
on a commercial off-line system and will investigate naturally occurring switching surges and pulse injection as
excitation signals on an operating transformer that will be used to automatically perform FRA analysis. It is
expected that the feasibility of the technique will be demonstrated in 2003. Refinement of the technique and
hardware development will be addressed in 2004.
End-of-Life Condition Assessment: Many transformers used in the aging T&D infrastructure have exceeded their
initial design life and yet their condition and ability to carry peak loads are usually unknown. The objective of this
task is to develop a methodology for assessing the condition of power transformers nearing the end of their life. Old
transformers will be tested using traditional and newer techniques, both on- and off-line. Results of the tests will be
correlated with the actual condition of the transformers determined from internal inspections and teardown analyses.
This project is a continuation of work done in 2002 and 2003. The emphasis in 2004 will be to use the results of
previous research to predict the effective age and remaining life of the transformer. This will be achieved by the
development of an effective scoring system for inclusion into a transformer expert system.
Operating Criteria: Most transformers will encounter emergency overloads on occasion and as a result will
experience some loss of life. However, more frequent overloading of transformers has become part of normal
operation in todays competitive utility industry. Because of this, more accurate methods are needed to establish safe
overloading limits rather than relying on simulated winding temperature measurements, which can be extremely
inaccurate. For example, the dynamic behavior of transformer gases, chemicals, and moisture are excellent
indicators of the true short-term and continuous loading limits for transformers. The purpose of this task is to
continue research on the dynamics of transformer operation and to develop on-line monitoring methods, based on
the dynamic behavior of moisture, gases, and other chemicals, to provide safe operation under overload conditions
and as an early warning of incipient faults. An on-line acoustic monitoring system will be developed for the
detection of gas evolution from hot metal and insulation overheating in transformers and LTCs. This system will be
based on the off-line technique developed in previous years. This project will also continue the development of the
low-cost metal insulator semiconductor (MIS) hydrogen and acetylene sensors.
Delivery Approach: The deliverable reports and software will first be prepared in draft form for review and
comment by project advisors. After the draft versions are updated, final deliverables will be prepared in electronic
format for distribution. The reports and software will also be electronically downloadable from www.epri.com.
Completion Criteria and Duration: The advisory committee reviewing the preliminary versions of the
deliverables below will determine the requirements for the final version of the reports. The completion date for this
project is the date shown for the last deliverable below.
Deliverables
Development of On-Line Monitoring Techniques to Detect Gassing
Technical Update (1008811), 9/30/04
Fiber-Optic Acoustic Partial Discharge Sensor Commercialized
Software (1008670), 12/31/04
Development of On-Line Frequency Response Analysis SystemTowards Commercialization
Transformer End of Life Assessment MethodScoring System
Future Year Deliverables

2005On-Line Frequency Response Analysis: Technical report on commercialization of system.
2005Detection of Gassing Faults Using Acoustic Techniques: Report on commercialization of on-line
system. Technical Report (xxxxxxx)
2006Winding Temperature Measurement: Distributed optical fiber temperature sensors: Technology
assessment report.
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P37.002 Transformer Life Extension (058559)
Benefits: Reduce maintenance and capital costs by extending transformer life through judicious monitoring of
operating parameters, and on-line conditioning of transformer and LTC insulating oil.
Description: A structured life extension program can help utilities make informed decisions on maintenance,
replace or refurbish, and operating practices to ensure the safe, reliable and cost-effective utilization of transformers.
This project is complementary to the Transformer End-of-Life and Condition Assessment research. It will use
results of that research to develop on-line systems to evaluate operating risk of failure, and will develop proactive
measures to extend transformer life and reduce the risk of failure. The findings from this research will also be
published in future updates to the Guidelines for the Life Extension of Substations. The focus of this project in 2004
will be on the following specific issues and tasks:
Transformer On-Line Continuous Oil Conditioning: This project continues multi-year work to develop a continuous,
on-line oil-conditioning system for transformers. This new system uses a low-cost filtering device installed in series
with the transformer cooling oil circulation system to provide clean cooling oil. The oil maintains high insulation
quality, which significantly reduces the risk of dielectric problems blamed for 75% of high-voltage transformer
failures. The cooling oil filtration system will also retard oil and paper insulation aging mechanisms by the removal
of oxygen, moisture, acids and other compounds detrimental to insulation life. In addition, the conditioning system
will form the basis of a monitoring system for diagnostic precursors to transformer failures. Detection of water and
particle contaminants will also signal the need for maintenance of the main transformer, cooling pumps, sealing, and
oil preservation systems. Single purpose and combined systems for dehydration and degassing will be developed
and tested, and the feasibility of an on-line oil reclamation system will be studied.
On-Line Conditioning of LTC Oil: Previous studies on the formation of coke on LTC contacts have shown that
many of the precursors to coke are dissolved in the transformer oil and therefore cannot be removed by normal
cartridge type filtration systems that are used primarily to remove solid carbon. This project will continue the work
on the development and testing of a filtration system to remove these dissolved compounds and will move the work
towards product commercialization.
Operating Risk Assessment: Monitoring the thermal conditions of transformers and LTCs and comparing monitored
parameters with those derived from real-time thermal models will allow for the optimal utilization of transformers
under all operating scenarios including planned and emergency overloads. Moisture and oxygen in combination with
high temperatures will accelerate the loss of life of transformer insulation and can cause catastrophic failure due to
bubble formation. The dynamic behavior of moisture and oxygen during thermal cycles complicates the evaluation
of real-time conditions in terms of operating risk and loss of life. This project will use the results from research into
condition assessment techniques and will develop algorithms and software for the real-time evaluation of operating
risk. It will use the existing thermal modeling software, PTLOAD, as the basis for the development.
Delivery Approach: Written deliverables will first be prepared in draft form for review and comment by project
advisors. After these drafts are updated, the resulting final versions will be prepared in electronic format for
distribution. The reports and specifications will also be electronically downloadable from www.epri.com.
deliverables will determine the requirements for the final version of the reports. The completion date for this project
is the date shown for the last deliverable below.
Deliverables
Application of Filtration System for On-Line Oil Reclamation, Degassing, and Dehydration
Development of Single Purpose and Combined Oil Conditioning Units
Development of a Filter Using Adsorbent Technologies for the Removal of Coking Precursors:
Commercialization
Technical Update (1008816), 11/30/04 (1002048 Already Listed?)
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Transformer Operating Risk Assessment: Development of models

PTLOAD Software Update to Include Operating Risk: Beta version
Software (1008672), 12/31/04

2005Transformer Cooling System Improvements: Analysis and recommendations.
2005Transformer Failure Analysis Technical Report
2006Solid State LTC: Feasibility Technical Report
PROJECT SET: PS37B Improve Overall Substation Maintenance Management (056065)
The set of projects below will help owners and providers of substation services. The results of the projects will
reduce maintenance costs and extend the life of substation components and facilities. The focus for this Project Set
is on substation equipment monitoring and performance diagnostics, life extension, and maintenance best practices.

P37.003 Substation Equipment Life Extension Guidelines 052019 2004-2006
P37.004 Best Practices for Inspection, Maintenance, and Monitoring 058560 2004-2006
P37.005 Integrated Monitoring & Diagnostics 058561 2004-2005
P37.006 Circuit Breaker Condition Assessment 058562 2004-2006
P37.003 Substation Equipment Life Extension Guidelines (052019)
Benefits: Reduce substation capital and maintenance costs while maintaining reliability and increasing power
throughput through user friendly and timely access to vital information and decision tools.
Description: This project produces and annually maintains a major product: Life Extension Guidelines (LEG) for
Substation Equipment. The Guidelines help customers reduce substation capital and maintenance costs by enabling
electricity companies to compare in-house maintenance and testing procedures with updated industry standards and
manufacturers recommendations. Equipment covered in the Guidelines includes power transformers, circuit
breakers, relay and control systems, bus and structures, dc systems, grounding systems, surge arresters, control
cables, bushings instrument transformers, and optical sensors. The LEG is published both in a loose-leaf notebook
and as a fully searchable CD-ROM. The result is faster and more accurate, effective maintenance work. Annual
updates to the LEG address changing technology and the changing environment in which utilities do business today,
and provide ready access to ongoing EPRI research in substation equipment maintenance and diagnostic tools. In
2003, information on end-of-life criteria for transformers is being reviewed and enhanced. A process of translating
the text-based Guidelines to an Extensible Markup Language (XML) format has begun. Both of these efforts will
continue in 2004 for other major equipment groups, beginning with circuit breakers. XML formatting will
ultimately allow integration of the LEG into utility databases and facilitate access to its information in online, real-
time scenarios using data mining tools such as Maintenance Management Workstation (MMW). Also, LEG
material will continue to be modified to incorporate international terminology and practices, including International
Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and International Council on Large Electric Systems (CIGRE) standards.
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Delivery Approach: Advisors and EPRI staff review drafts before final publication. Final updates will be prepared
in electronic format for distribution. The report(s) will also be electronically downloadable from www.epri.com.
Completion Criteria and Duration: This is an ongoing project, with annual updates and incremental product
improvements. Proposed updates and format changes originate with review and comment by project advisors
through working group meetings. The advisory committee also determines requirements for the final version of the
product.
Deliverables
Life Extension Guidelines for Substation Equipment 2004 Revision: Report and CD-ROM deliver
latest developments in end-of-life criteria for circuit breakers, as well as general updates across all
equipment categories.
Technical Report (1002052), 12/31/04

2005Life Extension Guidelines for Substation Equipment 2005 Update: Technical report and CD-
ROM deliver latest developments in end-of-life criteria for major equipment groups, as well as general
updates across all equipment categories.
2006Life Extension Guidelines for Substation Equipment 2006 Update: Technical report and CD-
ROM deliver latest developments in end-of-life criteria for major equipment groups, as well as general
updates across all equipment categories.
P37.004 Best Practices for Inspection, Maintenance, and Monitoring (058560)
Benefits: Improve reliability of critical equipment, and optimize a maintenance program for specific
makes/models/application/age equipment groups based on industry-wide accepted and hands-on best-practice
standards.
Description: Maintenance and life extension of an aging population of equipment are of critical importance for
system reliability. Most energy companies have programs for optimization and improvement of inspection,
maintenance and condition monitoring practices and procedures. These practices and procedures are typically
company-specific and based on internal historical data and internal expertise. This project assumes industry-wide
coordination and analysis of a large sample of data from participating energy companies using comparative analysis
of various practices and teamwork of equipment experts. This will provide the opportunity to identify and determine
best practices for specific FMMAA (family/make/model/application/age) equipment groups. A larger data sample
and a variety of existing practices for similar operating conditions and ages of similar equipment will provide a base
for analysis that is not possible within a single company, due to the limited number of critical equipment of the same
FMMAA, statistically limited historical data, and with data reflecting only single company practices. The result of
the project will be hands-on guides for maintenance of specific FMMAA equipment groups.
Delivery Approach: A team of equipment and maintenance experts will work with participating utilities to collect
industry-wide data, identify best practices and procedures, and develop hands-on guidelines for inspection,
maintenance and monitoring of specific family/make/model/application/age equipment groups.
Completion Criteria and Duration: Technical reports with guidelines for specific family/ make/ model/
application/ age equipment groups completed over three years for critical/prioritized equipment and periodically
updated.
Deliverables
Maintenance and Monitoring Best Practices for Transformers and LTCsSurvey
Maintenance and Monitoring Best Practices for Transformers and LTCsGuide
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2005Maintenance and Monitoring Best Practices for Switching Equipment, Survey and Guide
2006Maintenance and Monitoring Best Practices for other Substation Equipment, Survey and
Guide
P37.005 Integrated Monitoring and Diagnostics (058561)
Benefits: Reduce costs, extend equipment life, and prevent premature failure through performance-based
maintenance.
Description: This project will continue the research and evaluation of recently developed, state-of-the-art tools to
develop an Integrated Monitoring and Substation Diagnostic System. Diagnostic algorithms for transformers and
circuit breakers have been developed in previous years; in 2004, the emphasis will be on the development of
algorithms for other substation equipment and verification of the existing algorithms for transformers and circuit
breakers. EPRI will seek customer host sites where the transformer and circuit breaker algorithms can be applied as
part of an integrated maintenance system. Existing algorithms will be reviewed and revised in the light of experience
and additional information gained from the field trials. In order to link disparate pieces of data to provide diagnostic
information that is important to the safe operation of substations, an integrated communications link will be
required. The most likely and cost-effective communications will be wireless based. This project will evaluate
existing technology and produce a development plan for wireless sensors and communications for substations.
Delivery Approach: A team of equipment and maintenance experts working with participating energy companies
will evaluate available equipment data in terms of its diagnostic information.
Completion Criteria and Duration: Technical reports describing the algorithms and verification results will be
produced.
Deliverables
Monitoring Algorithms Development for Other Substation Equipment
Monitoring Algorithms Verification for Transformer and Circuit Breaker
Wireless Sensors and Communications for Substations: Technology Evaluation and Development
Plan

2005Measurement and Analysis of Substation EMI/RFI Signals for Substation Monitoring
Technical Report
2005Monitoring Algorithms Verification for Other Substation Equipment Technical Report
P37.006 Circuit Breaker Condition Assessment (058562)
Benefits Circuit breakers require a significant amount of maintenance and still remain a reliability problem for
electric utilities. The requirement that significant mass move quickly and precisely even after a long dormant period
is a challenging one. The fact that the device has several subsystems with moving parts adds to the maintenance
problem. If simple and low-cost ways can be developed to assess the condition of a breaker, it will be significant to
energy companies on several fronts: reduced maintenance staff will lower operating costs, work can be scheduled
rather than done on an emergency basis, and improved reliability of the breakers will mean better reliability for the
system.
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Description:
Contact Wear Indicators: Previous work on Load Tap Changer contacts has resulted in technology for using
indicators to alert maintenance staff that there has been serious erosion of the contacts and that maintenance is
indicated. We will build on this base and apply the results to oil circuit breakers.
Assessment of Available Monitors: The goal of this task is to prepare a comprehensive comparison of the
effectiveness of monitors now available.
Comparison of Dedicated and Portable Readings: Dedicated monitoring is clearly better than readings taken at
intervals, but it remains to be proven that the advantage is justified by the higher cost. EPRI will make an
assessment of the two approaches and enlist utilities to participate in collecting actual data to establish the more
cost-effective approach.
Analysis of Existing Data: EPRI will utilize existing data and analyze the material to look for links between readings
of known values and potential problems with the circuit breaker.
Delivery Approach: EPRI will seek a commercializer for contacts with imbedded wear indicators. EPRI will
publish reports as study segments are completed and hold a conference at the end of the project so that the material
can be explained and to provide an opportunity for discussion.
Completion Criteria and Duration: This is estimated to be a four-year project.
Deliverables
Report on Application of Wear Indicators.
Future-Year Deliverables
2005Assessment of Available Monitors Technical Report
2006Report on Comparison of Dedicated and Portable Monitors for Circuit Breakers Technical
Report
PROJECT SET: PS37C Improve SF6 Equipment Performance (056066)
SF6-insulated equipment pose unique performance and environmental challenges. As the issues have grown in
importance to our customers, EPRI has taken an increasingly broader view of the problem and defined this
complete SF6 Project Set to assist owners and operators of SF6 equipment with cost-effective tools. This project set
has thus grown in value to include a number of interrelated issues. The grouping of these allied research issues is
focused on providing customers with the following common benefits:
Significantly improving the performance of SF6-insulated equipment
Providing tools to extend and estimate equipment life
Reducing maintenance and operating costs of SF6 equipment
Appropriately managing SF6 environmentally, and hence protecting the significant investment in SF6-
insulated equipment
Accurately tracking the development of SF6 replacements and SF6 policy issues to provide members with
appropriate and timely guidance on the future of SF6.
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Projects

P37.007 SF6 Environmental Management and Equipment Performance 052021 2004-2006
P37.007 SF6 Environmental Management and Equipment Performance (052021)
Benefits: The primary benefit is to reduce SF6 emissions by 20-40% while improving the reliability of SF6 insulated
equipment by 10-20%. This will work towards protecting the investment in SF6 and Gas Insulating Substation (GIS)
technology by lowering the impact on the environment and improving condition assessment.
Description: The EPRI SF6 research program keeps pace with the changing customer needs in this vital area.
Research for 2004 focuses on the following critical issues central to utility cost reduction, reliability enhancement
and environmental compliance:
Utility Guidelines on SF6 and the Environmentand possible SF6 replacements: SF6 is a powerful
greenhouse gas with a 100-year GWP (Global Warming Potential) of 23,900 (i.e., 23,900 times more
powerful than carbon dioxide). Even though SF6 presently has a negligible impact on global warming,
concerns have been raised about the long-term impact of SF6 on the environment. The electricity energy
industry uses 80% of SF6 produced. Decisions made on the future use of SF6 could have an enormous
impact on an energy companys business. The challenge facing these companies is that the science and
politics of SF6 and Global Warming are complex and in continual flux. Predicting the future in this critical
area is important but difficult. EPRI is well positioned to assist energy companies in this decision-making
task through this SF6 research project. This project works closely with the EPRI Environment Sector to
leverage their modeling and policy experience. What will be produced is an easy-to-understand guideline
that will be continuously updated to keep current with policy changes and technology developments
especially related to the possible emergence of an SF6 replacement.
Tracking and Field Trials of SF6 Camera Developments: The EPRI SF6 Camera has been an excellent tool
for energy companies, but it is large and heavy. Recent exciting advances in gas-sensing technology hold
the promise of a far smaller and lighter camera. As an added benefit, the new technology is likely to be
passive, and thus eliminate the safety and training issues associated with the laser-based camera. EPRIs
role in 2004 will be to track these competing developments, identify the most promising technologies, and
then subject them to extensive field trialsproviding customers with guidance on the merits and pitfalls of
each approach.
Condition Monitoring of SF6-Insulated Equipment and GIS (Gas-Insulated Substations): With the new SF6
analysis tools at our disposal, we can start to expand the diagnostics ability of SF6 analysis to include
devices such as SF6-Insulated Instrument Transformers and SF6 Power Transformers. When it comes to GIS
(Gas-Insulated Substations), we can further grow our ability to diagnose this crucial asset that is positioned
at vital nodes in the electricity grid. EPRI 2003 research is focused on developing a GIS test and
demonstration unit that allows for accurate benchmarking of GIS monitoring technologies. Research in
2004 will build on this foundation, evaluating the latest GIS and SF6 monitoring technologies against known
defects. The laboratory work will be complemented by field trials and reviews of performance in energy
companies that may have taken the lead in installing such devices. The results will be distilled in a
guideline on selecting the optimal GIS and SF6 monitoring techniques
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EPRI Practical Guide to SF6 Handling Practices: This guide has served as a valuable mechanism to
effectively convey the research into a practical guide for field staff. It provides a single source for all past
research. Every two years, this guide is revised to bring it up to date. The last revision was in 2002, and
EPRI will revise this document in 2004.
Delivery Approach: Deliverables will first be prepared in draft form for review and comment by project advisors.
After the draft versions are updated, final products will be prepared in electronic format for distribution to customers
via EPRIs publication center. The reports and training course materials will also be electronically downloadable
from EPRIs web site at www.epri.com.
deliverables will determine the requirements for the final version of the deliverables. This is a continuation project.
It is expected that as issues are addressed and completed, new issues, if defined by advisors, will be added to this
project.
Deliverables
SF6 and the Environment: The environment and potential SF6 replacementsutility guidelines
Improving Performance of SF6 Insulated Equipment: Guideline on selection and application of optimal
SF6 and GIS monitoring tools
EPRI Practical Guide to SF6 Handling Practices: 2004 revision incorporating the latest research
Technical Report. (1008679), 12/31/04

2005Enhanced SF6 Analysis: Workshop to apply new EPRI SF6 Analysis tools
2005Prototype GIS and SF6 Diagnostic Tools Technical Update
2005Practical Guide to SF6 Handling Practices: Field Staff training workshop
2005Utility Business Cases and Decision-Making Tools for GIS Versus AIS Refurbishment and
Replacement Technical Report
2006Field Trials of Prototype GIS and SF6 Diagnostic Tools Technical Update
2006Demonstrations Using SF6 Replacement or Reduction Technologies Technical Update
PROJECT SET: PS37D Advanced Technologies for Substation Design and Upgrading
(056067)
The substation of today consists mostly of technology that is 30-40 years old, much of which was not designed to
meet the demands now being placed upon the power grid. The changing face of transmission regulation and the
growth of distributed generation put pressures on the substation of the future for higher reliability, lower costs and
increased fault duty. Meeting these new demands cost-effectively is unlikely following a business-as-usual
approach. Effective change will demand the application of evolutionary substation concepts. This project set
addresses this need by examining what the substation of the future should look like, identifying the gaps necessary
to get there, finally providing customers with the tools to cross this gap. This project set focuses on new
technologies that could be applied both to new and refurbished substations.
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Projects

P37.008 Smart SubstationsEngineering UCA into Your Substation 052043 2004-2006
P37.009 Reclassification of Substation Relaying Current Transformers for Revenue 052035 2004
Metering
P37.010 Alternatives to Substation Lead-Acid Batteries for Station Operations and 055906 2004-2006
Emergency Power
P37.011 Guidelines and Training on Specifying New Equipment and Performing Design 058563 2004-2006
Reviews
P37.012 Solid State Fault Current Limiter / Circuit Breaker Development 102105 2004-2006
P37.013 Ground Grid Evaluator 058564 2004-2006
P37.008 Smart Substations Engineering UCA Into Your Substation (052043)
Benefits: Reduced capital costs, reduced maintenance costs, and improved reliability through new designs of
substations and equipment that integrate the latest developments in materials, sensors, communications, monitoring,
data analysis, and equipment condition diagnostics.
Description: This multi-year project focuses on evaluating the latest developments in monitoring, materials,
sensors, communications, diagnostics, and substation equipment to assess their implications on the design,
construction, refurbishment and condition monitoring of substations. New concepts in substations and equipment
design will be analyzed and developed. Reliability, cost, operation and maintenance aspects will be addressed.
Discussions and brainstorming workshops will be organized, and the most promising solutions for new substations
and new equipment will be identified and pursued. The functionality of substations will be revisited, including the
role of on-site generation and alternatives to battery storage. The need for each piece of equipment will be
scrutinized. The applicability of the results both to new green-field substations and to refurbishment of existing
substations will be covered. Tasks and their priorities were defined in 2002 by the project Working Group. The
priorities will be regularly revisited by the Working Group, and projects added and removed as necessary.
2004 Research Focus is on Engineering UCA into Transmission Substations:

A laymans summary of what benefits UCA (Utility Communication Architecture) offers to a transmission
substation owner
A simplified overview of the step-by-step approach that an energy company would take in engineering UCA
into an existing or new substation
A condensed summary of the lessons learned from past field trials of UCA in substations
In addition to UCA, research will be conducted on the important topic of the application of composite/polymeric
materials in substations.
Delivery Approach: The deliverable reports and delivery plan will first be prepared in draft form for review and
comment by project advisors and the host company conducting the demonstration. After the draft versions have been
updated, final reports will be prepared in electronic format for distribution. The reports and workshop materials will
also be electronically downloadable from www.epri.com. The demonstration results will be available to customers
for inspection and analysis.
deliverables will determine the requirements for the final version of the deliverables.
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Deliverables
Smart Substation GuidelineLaymans Guideline to Engineering UCA into Transmission
Substations.
Application of Composite/Polymeric Materials in Substation EquipmentState of the Art Review
and Issues Identified with Potential Solutions
Capturing Substation KnowledgeAssessment and Demonstration of the Best Tools

2005Effective Integration of SMES and Advanced Power Electronics for Self-Healing Technical
Update
2006Incorporation of the Smart Substation into the Self-Healing Grid: Joining the Pieces Together
Technical Update
P37.009 Reclassification of Substation Relaying Current Transformers for Revenue

Metering (052035)
Benefits: Reduce capital costs for substation metering by reclassifying microprocessor-based current transformers
(CTs) for metering application. Further savings accrue because no additional space will be required if existing
relaying equipment can be used for metering purposes.
Description: Research in 2001 and 2002 proved that it is possible to reclassify a certain selection of relaying CTs
for revenue metering. This is a very promising finding; however, the number of relaying CTs tested was limited.
Research in 2003 and 2004 will work on expanding this sample size so that an energy company can present a
statistically sound case for reclassifying spare relaying CTs. Since laboratory testing cannot simulate all the
variables seen in the field, testing will be conducted in a substation on a reclassified relaying CT. There are member
substations that also have existing metering CTs on the same circuit, so comparing the signals from these two
sources will provide a cost-effective way of performing a long-term (6-9 month) site test. The project is planning to
close in 2004 with a final report that provides a strong technical case to customers for reclassification of their spare
relaying CTs.
Delivery Approach: The outline of the deliverable report will first be prepared in draft form for review and
comment by project advisors. The final deliverable will be prepared in electronic format for distribution. The report
will also be electronically downloadable from www.epri.com. Customers who are part of the Working Group
advising the EPRI Project Manager of this project will also receive an interim progress report on this project and an
invitation to observe the host utility field test efforts for the reclassification of relaying CTs for revenue metering.
deliverables will determine the requirements for the final version of the deliverables. The completion date for this
Deliverables
Guidelines on the Reclassification of Relaying Current Transformers for Revenue Metering
37 Substations
P37.010 Alternatives to Substation Lead-Acid Batteries for Station Operations and

Emergency Power (055906)
Benefits: This product will mitigate system reliability concerns and O&M budget constraints associated with
uncertain performance and high maintenance of emergency power systems using traditional lead-acid battery
technology. The results of this research will lead to higher reliability, and lower capital and maintenance costs in
substation equipment by drawing on the latest developments in energy storage and alternative power technologies.
This study will help customers in evaluating replacement/refurbishment decisions to aged lead-acid battery
installations.
Description: Substation batteries represent a strategic investment. These batteries are typically drawn upon to
provide power to switching components and to power the substation control equipment in times of AC power loss.
In almost all cases, banks of lead acid batteries are used. These battery banks are sometimes large, require regular
maintenance, and have limited lifetimes. Cell-level condition monitoring is strongly advised to avoid costly,
unexpected failures. New technologies are becoming available that may provide cost-effective alternatives to the
traditional lead-acid battery. To exploit the newer technology, it is critical to match the devices and the energy
storage to the typical operations a battery bank will experience during its lifetime. This project will start with a study
of the charge and discharge cycle experience for these battery banks. A survey of available alternative technologies
will also be undertaken, followed by a technical and economic assessment of those technologies deemed promising.
Comparisons of new technologies will be made to lead acid batteries. Candidate technologies include fuel cells,
flywheels, superconducting storage, ultra-capacitors, and written pole motors. The ultimate objective is to provide
customers with insights in the applicability of these technologies to this operating environment. The study will also
address the required control and interfacing systems. Following the initial analysis, EPRI plans to undertake a host
site installation to demonstrate one or more of these replacement technologies.
Delivery Approach: The outline of the deliverable reports will first be prepared in draft form for review and
comment by project advisors. The final deliverables will be prepared in electronic format for distribution. The
reports will also be electronically downloadable from www.epri.com.
deliverables will determine the requirements for the final report. The completion date for this project is the date
shown for the last deliverable below.
Deliverables
Handbook of New Substation Energy Storage Technologies for Routine Station Operations and
Emergency Power

2005Hardware Installation for Demonstration of One or More New Technologies for Replacement of
Traditional Battery Systems Technical Update
2006Lessons Learned on Technology Demonstrations Final Report
P37.011 Guidelines and Training on Specifying New Equipment and Performing Design
Reviews (058563)
Benefits: Education of key substation personnel in writing specifications for substation equipment, and reviewing
critical equipment designs. Reductions in maintenance and operating costs through better knowledge of equipment
design, performance and condition.
Description: As new design and manufacturing techniques are introduced, and new key technologies for
diagnostics and condition assessment of power apparatus are developed, it is necessary for energy companies to stay
abreast of these evolving technologies in order to recognize and apply cost-effective solutions to areas of industry
need. In addition, substation specialists are becoming scarce and Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) support
37 Substations
for substation equipment is reducing. Also, more tests, monitors and specialized test equipment are becoming
available, requiring an even higher level of skill to interpret test results and predict condition. This project will
attempt to gather critical knowledge on substation equipment and disseminate the knowledge through the
development of guidelines and courses on substation equipment specifications and design reviews. The first
equipment group that will be addressed is power transformers and load tap changers. Educational courses,
guidelines, and training incorporating advances in technology will be developed on a variety of topics, such as
writing new transformer specifications, design reviews, operation and maintenance, and performance and reliability.
In the longer term, business cases and technical analyses will be conducted to guide customers and advance the
evolution of the 21st-century substation.
Delivery Approach: The deliverable guidelines will first be prepared in draft form for review and comment by
project advisors. After the draft versions are updated, final products will be prepared in electronic format for
distribution. Courses will then be developed to present the information. The guidelines will also be electronically
downloadable from www.epri.com.
Deliverables
New Transformer Specifications: Development of guidelines to assist members in writing specifications
for new power transformers in terms of their specific requirements. Guidelines and Training
Load Tap Changer (LTC) Technology Transfer: Dissemination of EPRI research on maintenance
practices, condition assessment and diagnostics related to LTCs
Workshop (E215333), 10/31/04
Design Review: Guidelines, design interpretation and training

2005Course Development Technical Report
2005Circuit Breaker Design Review: Guidelines, interpretation, and training workshop
2006Breaker Specifications: Guidelines and training workshop
2006Circuit Breaker Course
P37.012 Solid-State Fault Current Limiter / Circuit Breaker Development (102105)
Benefits: Avoid replacement of current limiters and grounding systems made obsolete by expanding systems.
Improve power quality for sensitive loads. Provide a switch with the capability of many operations with no
maintenance for sites with very frequent switching. Prototype solid-state circuit breaker components and systems.
Description: Deregulation is creating many new and difficult situations for T&D companies. New power plants and
distributed generation add to the challenge. A solid-state current limiter (SSCL) will allow electricity companies to
deal with higher fault levels caused by siting of new power plants or by new distributed generation. An SSCL can
solve many problems, including replacement of existing circuit breakers whose fault current rating is now
inadequate and/or ground grids that will cause voltage gradients in excess of standards. Additionally, in todays
T&D world, some breakers must be operated so often that mechanical maintenance becomes a concern, and a solid-
state device will avoid that problem. Electricity companies face high costs for these sorts of issues as well as the
problem of prolonged outages for exchanging, renovating or upgrading substation equipmentall of which will be
solved with SSCL equipment. An SSCL can also improve power quality for faults by initiating current limiting
within milliseconds and clearing the fault at the first current zero for the unfaulted lines, and then reclosing (with
almost no transient) after testing the line to assure that the fault has been removed and by properly timing the closure
of each phase on the faulted line.
37 Substations
This project is developing a solid-state circuit module that can be operated in series with identical modules to
achieve any voltage rating needed. The device will use conventional thyristors combined with a commutating circuit
to interrupt the current flow in the main circuit and divert the flow into a path with resistance. Higher-volume
production of the identical SSCL modules will help reduce the cost of the overall SSCL. The overall project
objective is to offer a commercial SSCL at less than three times the cost of a conventional mechanical circuit
breaker.
Work will begin with mathematical simulations of the circuit, followed by extensive lab tests, first at low voltage
and then at full voltage. This process will progress from the module level through a medium-voltage device to the
transmission level device, as outlined below.
Medium-Voltage Current Limiter: A medium-voltage current limiter prototype will be proved in the lab and then in
the field before transmission-class devices are developed. The SSCL will necessarily have its own relaying function
for high-current faults. For other faults, it will accept conventional relaying signals. To ensure high reliability,
redundant modules will be incorporated in the circuitry so that failure of a component will not cause a failure of the
overall SSCL. In addition, there will be self-checking of the circuitry to identify and automatically correct any
switching problems.
Transmission Class Current Limiter: Field trial results will be used to design and test a transmission-class device.
Particular attention will be paid to coordination with a conventional protective relay system. As part of this effort,
IEEE standards work will be initiated so this family of devices can be appropriately developed for the utility
industry.
Delivery Approach:
Medium-Voltage Current Limiter: During 2003, several medium-voltage current limiters will be placed in the field
for extended trials. (This will depend on securing participating customers to fund and host this activity after EPRI
has developed and lab-tested the prototype.) EPRI will monitor the performance closely and make modifications as
experience dictates. Field results will provide the basis for a possible modification of the module design, or of the
associated monitoring and control units. There will be an interim report at the end of the year describing the results
of the initial phase of the field trial.
Transmission-Class Current Limiter: The transmission-class device will require testing for corona, impulse, and
switching surge performance as well as power interruption at different phases, and for line-to-line and line-to-
ground faults. Working with a customer, EPRI will test a device at a full-scale in the laboratory and then ship the
components needed to the host. Extensive monitoring will be added so that constant readings of the device
performance can be evaluated. An interim and a final report will be prepared to describe the findings of the field
trial. A license agreement has already been negotiated with a manufacturer so that commercial products can be made
available to participants and others on a fair basis.
Completion Criteria and Duration:

Medium-Voltage Current Limiter: Field trials will continue into 2004 with continued technical monitoring. The
contractor has a license to market the device on a commercial basis when there is sufficient confidence in the
reliability of the device. Concurrently, EPRI will begin work on a transmission-class device whose field trial is
estimated to start in 2005. This project has benefited from Tailored Collaboration (TC) or co-funding from
Consolidated Edison of NY, Allegheny Power, and New England ISO. Continued progress on the aggressive pace
forecasted for this product depends on continued TC or co-funding and the availability of significant EPRI support.
In addition, customer host sites are required for the medium-voltage field prototypes.
Transmission-Class Current Limiter: Following the completion of a field trial, the developer will be free to proceed
with commercial implementation of the technology. EPRI considers the work on a transmission-class device to be a
continuation of the medium-voltage device. This project will end with the publication of the field trial report for the
transmission-class device.
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Deliverables
Final Report on Field Trials of Medium-Voltage Current Limiter

2005Field Trials of a Medium-Voltage Prototype Technical Update
2005Initial Design Work on a Transmission-Class SSCL Technical Update
2006Design and Construction of a 138 kV SSCL Technical Update
P37.013 Ground Grid Evaluator (058564)
Benefits: The Ground Grid Evaluator (GGE) will improve both the output and the accuracy of your staff when
designing new grounding systems or evaluating the adequacy of present systems.
Description: Strengthening an existing substation grounding or designing a new grounding system is by no means a
straightforward and intuitive exercise. There are many variables to consider, and it is not simply a matter of adding
more copper. EPRI is regularly approached by members for assistance in this area and is responding to this need
with the development of a Ground Grid Evaluator (GGE). This design tool will allow for the optimal design of new
grounding systems and help guide staff on the optimal steps toward improving existing grounding networks. The
GGE will be built on the existing Substation Design Workstation foundation, which provides a powerful visual
substation modeling framework that is ideal for modeling and visualizing grounding networks.
Delivery Approach: The development program and deliverable reports and software will first be prepared in draft
form for review and comment by project advisors. Final deliverables will be prepared in electronic format for
distribution, and users will be approached for beta testing. The report and software will also be electronically
downloadable from www.epri.com.
Completion Criteria and Duration: This project is planned to end in 2007. As present issues are addressed and
completed, new issues will be added based on the decisions of project advisors. The advisory committee reviewing
the preliminary versions of the deliverables will determine the requirements for the reports and software. The
completion of the software development will be accompanied by customer training.
Deliverables
Industry Survey to Determine Needs and Optimal Features
Alpha Version of GGE Code
Software (1008684), 12/31/04

2005GGE, Version 1.0 Software
2005GGE, Version 1.0 Workshop
2006GGE, Version 2.0 Software
2006GGE, Version 2.0 Workshop
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PROJECT SET: PS37E Develop and Deploy Safe Work Practice Guidelines (056068)
The project will help substation owners and service providers improve their safety when performing substation and
transmission switching.

P37.014 Switching Safety and Reliability (05029) 052029 2004-2006
P37.014 Switching Safety and Reliability (052029)
Benefits: Increase reliability and safety while reducing errors by developing best practices and guidelines for
transmission and distribution switching.
Description: Annual conferences on power switching safety and reliability have been found by participants to be a
very effective tool for exchanging experiences, sharing lessons learned, and keeping abreast of the latest accepted
practices. This project will continue these conferences, until guidelines are altered. This project will also conduct a
variety of case studies to provide systems-level insight into practices and procedures that contribute to good and bad
switching safety and reliability. The case study method will later be applied to investigate and develop
recommendations for good practices for all substation owners to use. Specific tasks for upcoming years are:
Training Outlines for Switching: The goal of this task is to prepare a comprehensive outline for a training program at
an electricity company for switching positions. This outline will serve as a master against which companies can
benchmark their own programs. The study will include a collection of training program outlines for both field and
control center switching positions and development of the master list. The list will be compared to the skills and
knowledge identified in the generic Job Task Analysis (JTA) to check the applicability of the items and the
completeness of the list. The study may also include a comparison and evaluation of the training methods used to
train key concepts and processes included in the outline.
The Impact of New Technologies on Switching Safety: This task will determine the potential impacts of the
implementation of new technologies (e.g., for outage scheduling, mapping, preparation of switching orders) on
switching safety and reliability, and to identify strategies that can mitigate the risks. The task will consider different
phases of a typical project, from specification of requirements to procurement, management, rollout, training, and
de-bugging. It will initially encompass a range of different types of applications, including those used for both
transmission and distribution switching. The focus is on control center applications, but some new technologies used
in the field may also be selected for study. Based on advisor input, it may be necessary to limit the focus of the
investigation. Some of the major steps are:
Definition of scope and preparation of questionnaire
Literature review
Identification of electricity companies and individuals to interview
Up to five site visits to selected companies to interview project managers and operations personnel
Preparation of draft and final report
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Failure Modes and Effects: The purpose of this task is to identify the points in the switching process that are most
vulnerable to operator error and to determine the likely severity of errors at each step. The project will use the
generic switching process as described in the JTA data as the starting point, and will map incident reports from a
number of electricity companies on to this process. Work will start with a feasibility study using the data from a
single company. The results of the feasibility study will be presented to the Steering Committee meeting for
discussion. Based on the comments and suggestions, the study will be extended to include the data from up to ten
additional companies.
Annual Power Switching Safety and Reliability Conference: In 2003, EPRI ran its 7th Annual Power Switching
Safety and Reliability Conference. This task will run an annual conference covering switching practices. The
conference will also serve as a forum within which feedback from the research activities above will be presented.
Similarly, the conference serves as a source of new research ideas.
Delivery Approach: The deliverable report and conference will first be outlined for review and comment by project
advisors. After this stage, the final report will be prepared in electronic format for distribution. The report and
conference materials will also be electronically downloadable from www.epri.com. Newsletters will also be
distributed electronically and posted on the web.
Completion Criteria and Duration: Continuing interest remains for maintaining this effort as an ongoing project
that holds an annual conference with evolving topics and produces reports from time to time on new surveys and
analysis of practices at selected utilities. These efforts will continue based on project advisor requests.
Deliverables
Report on Identifying Failure Points in Switching
Database to Organize Switching Tasks
Software (1008691), 11/31/04
Study of Incidents with Lessons Learned
Switching Safety and Reliability: 8th Annual Conference
Conference/Workshop (E206885), 12/31/04
Future-Year Deliverables
2005Standard Training Program Technical Update
2005Recommendations for Certification of Switching Personnel Technical Update
2005Options for Simulator-Based Training Material Technical Update
2005Switching Safety and Reliability: 9th Annual Conference
2006Survey of Typical Responsibilities and span of Control of Centralized Switching Authorities
Technical Update
2006Study of Error Prevention Programs Technical Update
2006Switching Safety and Reliability: 10th Annual Conference.
37 Substations
PROJECT SET: PS37F Distribution Substations (058485)
We believe the distribution substation offers opportunities for application of new technologies to lower costs while
improving reliability and expanding functionality. In some cases, it is a matter of adapting new tools first used for
transmission substations; in other cases, new methods must be developed. In all cases, we must remain focused on
obtaining the best possible cost for the new tools since economy is so significant at lower voltage levels. In addition
to ordinary challenges of day-to-day business, distribution substations can expect to see distributed resources
appearing in the future. They need to be ready when this new situation becomes a reality. This project set focuses
on tools and methods to lower costs while improving performance for the distribution substation of the future.

P37.015 Application of Composite/Polymeric Materials Substations 052041 2004-2005
P37.016 Distribution Substation Inspection Tools and Techniques 056025 2004-2006
P37.015 Application of Composite/Polymeric Materials Substations (052041)
Benefits: Lower capital and maintenance costs in substation equipment by using composite/polymeric materials to
extend their life expectancy.
Description: The use of composite or polymeric (also called non-ceramic) materials for external insulation in
substations is relatively new. Components starting to utilize polymers in substations include bushings, current and
voltage transformers, surge arresters, and fiber-optic components. The application of polymer coatings and shed
extenders, mainly silicone based, to improve the performance of existing ceramic-based insulation is also becoming
more widespread. Experience and research on transmission-line insulation utilizing polymeric materials have
shown that using polymer-based, rather than the traditional ceramic components, raises a host of new issues such as
aging characteristics, performance, best material choice, grading ring application, inspection techniques, handing,
and maintenance. The objectives of this project are to a) determine the state-of-the-art in substation polymeric
components; b) determine the design, performance, and maintenance issues for substation polymeric components;
and c) develop a set of tools and guidelines for the energy company engineers to address these issues and determine
the costs and benefits of these new materials. The following tasks will initiate in 2004 to address these issues:
State-of-the-Art Review: Application of Polymer/Composite Materials in Substations: In 2003, a state-of-the-art

review for polymer materials in distribution substations was completed. This task will extend the review to
transmission substations. The current use of polymer-based components, coatings and shed extenders in substations
will be established. The range of available components will be studied, as well as differences in manufacturers
design philosophies. An indication of the current experience with these components will be determined as well as
an indication of what the application and maintenance issues are. Future research will be based on the results of this
task.
Best Practices Guideline and Lessons Learned:

Experience has shown that the application of polymer-based components cannot always be treated in the same
manner as traditional ceramic-based components. This guideline will establish what the critical differences are in
the selection, application, inspection and maintenance processes. By documenting these differences, energy
companies can apply polymer-based components with greater confidence. An outline for the guideline will be
developed in 2004 based on the previous state-of-the-art reviews. The first version of the guideline will be
published in 2005.
37 Substations
Aging of Polymer Substation Components: It is envisaged that the state-of- the-art reviews may uncover topics of
research to be performed. These topics will be addressed during 2004 and 2005 depending on the level of funding.
One topic that has already been identified is the aging of components: life expectancy, difference in materials, the
effect of application, E-field distribution, etc. As an initial investigation into aging, three fiber-optic CT insulators
have been added to the ongoing 230-kV aging test. This task will report on the aging of these and other components
selected for high interest. Aging effects on other components will also be investigated.
Delivery Approach: The outline of the deliverable reports will first be prepared in draft form for review and
comment by project advisors. The final deliverables will be prepared in electronic format for distribution to funders
via EPRIs publication center. The reports will also be electronically downloadable from EPRIs web site
(www.epri.com).
deliverables will determine the requirements for the final report. The completion date for this project is the date
shown for the last deliverable below.
Deliverables
Application of Composite/Polymeric Materials in Transmission Substation Equipment: State-of-the-
art review and issues identified with potential solutions
Report on the Accelerated Aging of Fiber-Optic CTs.
Outline for Application of Composite/Polymeric Materials in Substation Equipment: Best practices
guideline and lessons learned

2005Application of Composite/Polymeric Materials in Substation Equipment Final Report: Best
practices guideline and lessons-learned.
2005Aging of Composite/Polymeric Components in Substations Technical Update
P37.016 Distribution Substation Inspection Tools and Techniques (056025)
Benefits: Optimize use of limited maintenance resources by knowing when and how to inspect and maintain
distribution substations. Focused inspection and maintenance can lead to an increase in equipment and system
reliability.
Description: A range of inspection tools and techniques developed for transmission substations and other industry
applications can be applied in distribution substations to evaluate the condition of diverse components. These tools
include infrared cameras, ultrasonic listening devices, daytime corona cameras, radio and audio interference meters,
ground integrity inspection, etc. With these tools, a whole host of components can be inspected including
transformer bushings, lightning arresters, tap changes, insulators, connections, CTs, and grounding systems. Indeed,
it is likely that these tools will play a larger role in distribution substations than in transmission substations since the
practicality of implementing on-line monitoring techniques at the distribution level is unlikely in the near future.
Couple this with the fact that there are almost three times as many distribution substations as transmission
substations and the magnitude of inspection problems becomes evident.
Although many inspection tools are readily available, how to apply these tools and evaluate the observations for
different component types is unknown for distribution substations. This project will supply this knowledge by a)
developing information necessary to assist in establishing an effective inspection and evaluation program, and b)
creating field guides to assist inspectors in the inspection and evaluation of components. In order to meet these
objectives, the following tasks will be implemented:
37 Substations
Inspection and Maintenance Guidelines for Distribution Substations: This task will develop guidelines to help
reduce capital and maintenance costs by enabling electricity companies to compare in-house inspection, condition
assessment, and maintenance procedures with updated industry standards and manufacturer recommendations.
Equipment covered will include transformers, bushings, load tap changers, insulators, connections, grounding
systems, fiber-optic cables, splices, etc. The outline for these guidelines is being developed in 2003, and an initial
version will be completed in 2004. The guidelines will be split into two main sections: 1) condition assessment of
individual component types, and 2) inspection tools, techniques, and methodologies.
These guidelines will be a living document updated on an ongoing basis and will become the focal point for the
EPRI Distribution Substations Project Set. As such, other projects in this set will feed the latest results and
information into the guidelines. The guidelines will be available in both electronic and hardcopy formats. The
electronic file will be in a structured searchable format for ease of use. The guidelines will also be combined with a
training course on their use and content.
Field Inspection Guides for Distribution Substations: This task will involve developing field inspection guides for
each of the different inspection technologies to assist inspectors in the field. The first guide will be a field guide for
infrared inspection in distribution substations, to be followed by a guide for corona inspection tools (i.e., daytime
corona camera, ultrasonic emissions, and radio and audio interference). These field guides will be pictorially based
and will refer to the Inspection and Maintenance Guidelines, discussed above, for details. Further field guides will
be added as deliverables in the future.
Delivery Approach: The guidelines and field guides will be delivered as both a traditional report and an interactive
CD-ROM. Both the report and the CD-ROM will first be prepared in draft form for review and comment by project
advisors. After these draft versions have been updated, final products will be prepared in electronic format for
distribution. The report will also be electronically downloadable from www.epri.com.
Completion Criteria and Duration: This is an ongoing project that addresses a range of issues related to
inspection, condition assessment, and maintenance of overhead transmission line components. Topics will be added
and removed from the project under the direction of the Working Group. The advisory committee reviewing the
preliminary versions of the deliverables will determine the requirements for the final technical reports. The
completion dates for tasks currently planned are shown below.
Deliverables
First Version of Inspection and Maintenance Guidelines for Distribution Substations
Field Guide for Corona Inspection Tools in Distribution Substations

2005Training Course on the Application of Inspection and Maintenance Guidelines for Distribution
Substations
2005Field Guide for Visual Inspection in Distribution Substations Technical Report
2006Field Guide for Ultrasonic and Radio Interference Measurements in Distribution Substations
Technical Report
37 Substations
Project Opportunities
Related to this program are the following existing or proposed project opportunities that are open for participation.
As described in further detail in EPRIs policies, the results from these projects may be available only to the
participants of those projects. Tailored Collaboration (TC) funds from project participants are matched by EPRI
dollars, as described in further detail in EPRIs policies.
Marketing
Number Project Title
S37.001 Substation Equipment: Seismic Design Tools & Tests Appropriate to Host Utility Conditions
S37.002 SUNBURST Geomagnetic Induced Current (GIC) Network
S37.003 A Knowledge Sharing Approach to Training
S37.004 Transformer Gassing Detection for Transmission Substations
S37.005 Contact Wear Indicators for Load Tap Changers and Circuit Breakers
S37.006 Power Transformer On-Line Monitoring and Loading Software
S37.007 Moisture Assessment and Ranking of Power Transformers
S37.008 Comparison of a New Technique for Power Factor Measurement at Rated Voltage with the Standard
Off-Line Test on Bushings and HVCTs
S37.009 Transformer Condition Assessment and Life Extension at Host Utility
S37.010 Field Evaluation of Two New EPRI Tools for On-Site SF6 Analysis
S37.011 SF6 Leak Sealing Customized For Host Utility Conditions
S37.012 Architecture for Distribution Substation Automation
Esol Service T&D Maintenance Optimization
Esol Service Real Time System Condition Monitoring
Esol Service Substation Arrester & Insulator Reliability Assurance Program
Esol Service Project Prioritization for T&D Systems
Esol Service Distribution Planning Workshop
Esol Service Optimizing Distribution System Planning
S37.001 Substation Equipment: Seismic Design Tools & Tests Appropriate to Host Utility
Conditions
Benefits: Reduce capital and maintenance costs through improved substation designs and improved substation
equipment that is suited to host utility seismic conditions.
Description: This project will develop seismic tools and conduct shake-table tests on selected equipment to verify
seismic compliance of substation equipment with IEEE Standard 693. The tests should be as accurate a reflection of
real seismic stresses as can be reasonably achieved. This project is on-going and is funded by a consortium of
members. The project members are developing additional ideas for future work in the seismic area. Equipment
selected for testing will be agreed on by consortium members before any such testing occurs. The work is being
conducted in concert with seismic studies being conducted by a university consortium named PEER to enhance the
value of the project.
37 Substations
S37.002 SUNBURST Geomagnetic Induced Current (GIC) Network
Benefits: Reduce capital and maintenance costs by operating a monitoring network to alert participating energy
companies of geomagnetic induced current (GIC) problems arising from sunspot storms. Follow the science and
investigate actions that can be taken to improve warnings and/or to mitigate the effects of solar magnetic
disturbances.
Description: The sunspot cycle was at its 11-year peak in 2001, and historically the worst magnetic storms
occurred shortly before or after the peak. This project will continue the operation of the SUNBURST Network using
the internet as a cost-effective way to deliver real-time readings of geomagnetic-induced ground currents that impact
north and south latitude transformers. Project activities will continue to maintain close relationships with the
relevant researchers at National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Natiomnal Aeronautics and
Space Administration (NASA) and their counterparts in Canada and Finland. Our annual conference continues to
be very valuable for communicating operational data and discussing issues related to the SUNBURST system. The
annual conference also serves as a very good venue to keep up with this fast moving area of science.
S37.003 A Knowledge Sharing Approach to Training
Benefits: Improve safety, reliability, and efficiency through cost-effective development and implementation of a
substation maintenance program using knowledge sharing and industry best practices.
Description: This project is based on techniques that have been newly combined, although most of them have long
been known as effective. A pilot will be chosen from business opportunities where knowledge management (KM)
could make a difference to current or planned performance. Each pilot will proceed through a set of simple, specific
facilitated processes for learning before, during, and after specific work activities. With coaching, the key learning
resulting from these processes will be applied by energy company staff to improve their existing business and work
processes on-the-job. The process tools to support learning are necessarily simple:
Learning before doing is supported through the Peer Assist process, which targets specific challenges, imports
knowledge from people outside the team, identifies possible approaches and new lines of inquiry, and promotes
sharing of learning with each other through a facilitated meeting.
A U.S. Army technique called Action Reviews aims to get people to learn while doing.
At the end of the project a process called Retrospect encourages team members to look back at the project to
discover what went well and why, with a view to helping a different team repeat their success and avoid any
pitfallslearning after doing. In parallel with these learning sessions will be interviews to elicit additional
know-how from key knowledge sources within, and sometimes outside, an energy companys organization.
Local energy company staff involved in the pilot will be coached and encouraged to take immediate advantage
of this know-how and experience from outside their team, and adapt and apply it to their work activities. Key
learning, experience and good practices from these facilitated sessions and interviews will be harvested,
codified and packaged in the form of a re-usable Knowledge Asset. This Knowledge Asset will become highly
accessible and visible to participants via a project web portal.
In the course of capturing this knowledge, a Community of Practice will be developed, which is a cross-
organizational group of people who share common skills and practices in the business processes being applied in the
pilot. This Community will be coached and supported to take on the responsibility to keep the Knowledge Asset
current to help ensure the transferability of their collective know-how throughout the participants organizations.
37 Substations
S37.004 Transformer Gassing Detection for Transmission Substations
Benefits: Accurate and early detection of gassing in power transformers (resulting from degradation of insulation
cooling oil) can be instrumental in preventing catastrophic transformer failures.
Description: Transformers are the most expensive item in substations, and failure costs are typically expressed in
millions of dollars. Fault conditions in a power transformer can lead to failure and may be detected in several ways.
One method is based on detection of the degradation products of the insulating oilusually dissolved gasses
which are produced as the result of an abnormal dissipation of energy within the transformer. This energy, released
through fault processes such as overheating, partial discharge (PD) and arcing, is often sufficient to generate the
fault gasses initially in the form of bubbles. In addition, high moisture conditions and sudden overloads can cause
the inception of moisture vapor bubbles released from conductor insulation. The detection, location, and
characterization of these gassing sources could be instrumental in saving the transformer from catastrophic failure.
This project will continue the work to develop an acoustic detection technique able to detect and locate sources of
gassing in power transformers. Acoustic emissions tests will be performed on known gassing transformers and the
results added to the database being developed to identify different sources of gassing and degrees of severity. The
ultimate goal of this work is a test method and evaluation algorithm(s) to enable the development of problem and
diagnostic criteria.
S37.005 Contact Wear Indicators for Load Tap Changers and Circuit Breakers
Benefits: Indicators of contact wear in LTCs and circuit breakers will reduce substation maintenance costs by
improving the efficiency of maintenance scheduling and by replacing contacts only when needed.
Description: Load tap changers (LTCs) are the single greatest contributor to transformer problems, and the largest
maintenance item in a substationtypically accounting for 40-50% of transformer maintenance costs. As a result,
LTC maintenance represents one of the most critical issues facing substation engineers. To address this issue, energy
companies and substation owners are seeking new strategies for improving the efficiency of LTC maintenance
planning to reduce maintenance costs and improve substation reliability. One focus of LTC maintenance planning is
contact wear. The contacts of electrical switches operating under load typically erode during normal operation and
even further deteriorate when overheating occurs. The erosion of electrical contacts most commonly results from the
arcing that takes place whenever a switch breaks a circuit and/or mechanical friction occurs as moving and
stationary contacts wear against each other during the switching operation. Contacts that have worn past their useful
life can cause the switch to fail and result in catastrophic failure of the transformer.
To address this specific aspect of LTC maintenance planning, a number of techniques have recently been developed
by EPRI and tested in the laboratory. These techniques have the potential for continuously monitoring the wear of
LTC contacts, and providing a signal when the degree of wear has reached a critical stage and replacement is
required. The techniques have different chemical or physical bases. However, they all operate on a common
principle, which resembles that of automobile brake shoes that emit a sound when worn to a manufacturers
specified level. In the case of the LTC contact wear indicators, a compound is embedded in the contact at a
predetermined depth, which corresponds to the manufacturers recommended level for replacement. When the
contacts wear to the point where the tracer materials become exposed, they are released into the insulating medium
or decomposed by the arc. Periodic withdrawal and analysis of the insulating medium for these products indicates
that wear has proceeded beyond the safe level. Another method involves the use of specific tracer compounds
(metals or chemicals) that emit light at discrete wavelengths when the high temperature of the arc causes the tracers
to vaporize. This method is particularly suited to on-line monitoring.
The objective of the project is to prove the 100% reliability of the detection methods in the field. Demonstrations
will be conducted on a variety of makes, models, and sizes of LTCs and circuit breakers in a variety of
circumstances. Active LTCs undergoing increased loading, and circuit breakers with frequent operations are
particularly sought.
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S37.006 Power Transformer On-Line Monitoring and Loading Software
Benefits: To load power transformers above nameplate rating and to monitor the real-time thermal performance will
ensure that maximum rated operating temperatures are not exceeded and transformer life is not compromised.
Description: Most power transformers have, and will continue to encounter emergency overloads on occasion, with
subsequent loss of life. However, substantial benefits can be obtained by operating power transformers beyond
current practices that are based on nameplate ratings. There is an increasing need for energy companies to employ
transformers to the fullest while maintaining system reliability, and more frequent overloading of transformers has
become part of the normal operating plan. At the same time, it is critical for asset mangers to understand the
financial implications of potential loss of life due to overloads. The life of a transformer, when operated under
favorable conditions, can be well in excess of 40 years. One cause of loss of life and premature failure is operation
above rated temperature. The two principle causes of high temperatures are: operation of the transformer above
nameplate load rating, and degradation of the cooling function.
The objectives of this project are the development and installation of software to: determine the real-time overload
capability of a power transformer without exceeding specified temperatures or predetermined loss of life; to provide
temperature, loss of life, and bubbling information for any user specified magnitude and duration of overload; and to
monitor the real-time thermal performance of a power transformer to verify that the cooling system is operating in
accordance with specifications. The software will be installed on the utility network and demonstrated on two
transformers for which real-time and historical information of load and temperature are available.
S37.007 Moisture Assessment and Ranking of Power Transformers
Benefits: The moisture condition of power transformers is a critical parameter for safe and reliable operation. Proper
assessment of moisture in paper is essential for an effective life extension program.
Description: Energy companies throughout the world have experienced the damaging effects of moisture in power
transformers. Some of these damaging effects result in long-term outages, prolonged filtering processes, and even
catastrophic failures. Prior EPRI studies have been performed to define the consequences of water contamination.
Many of these studies define adverse transformer impacts ranging from decreased dielectric strength, loss of life,
tank and core corrosion to vapor bubble evolution. Other EPRI studies have defined acceptable levels of moisture,
mechanisms of moisture ingress, the dynamics and interactions between the oil and variables such as winding
insulation, temperature, and load as well as safe operating limits for wet transformers.
In order to put this knowledge to use, diagnostic tests and condition assessment tools have been developed. These
can be either on-line or off-line, but all require measurement of parameters related to the moisture content of oil.
However, many factors, such as the dynamics of moisture movement back and forth between the paper and the oil
during temperature cycling, must be taken into consideration, otherwise extreme errors in moisture assessment will
result. In addition, the actual determination of the moisture content of oil is fraught with uncertainties. Despite the
fact that the Karl Fischer method is the de facto standard for measuring the water content of oil, human errors and a
number of uncertainties associated with the oil sampling procedure deteriorate the reliability of measurements and
could lead to deceptive conclusions.
This project will disseminate critical knowledge gained during the EPRI research and apply this knowledge at utility
sites. The objectives are: to make an assessment of a population of transformers, rank these transformers in terms of
moisture content, apply an on-line monitoring system to selected transformers, including the beta version of EPRIs
Transformer Moisture Monitor software (TMM), and dry out one or more while continuing to monitor their moisture
condition. The amount of moisture removed during the dry out will be used as verification of the algorithms in the
TMM software. An improved procedure of oil sampling from operating transformers, and an evaluation of the
moisture content of the oil samples by means of the Karl Fischer apparatus will be implemented at the energy
company. This procedure will be used for the off-line classification and ranking of the population of transformers in
terms of moisture content.
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S37.008 Comparison of a New Technique for Power Factor Measurement at Rated

Voltage with the Standard Off-Line Test on Bushings and HVCTs
Benefits: Measurement of bushing power factors at rated voltage and operating temperature, without an outage,
affords the most efficient and effective method for predicting imminent failure.
Description: Power transformers are critical, capital-intensive assets for the power industry. Transformers are
extremely reliable; however, many of the transformers in use at energy companies have already exceeded their
design life. Bushings are an essential component of transformers and are one of the most common causes of
catastrophic failure for transformers. The majority of transformers are still operating with their original bushings;
therefore, maintaining and monitoring bushing condition is essential. High-voltage current transformers (HVCT) are
another critical substation component. Although the capital cost of HVCTs is relatively low compared to power
transformers, the financial consequences of catastrophic failure can be higher by an order of magnitude than the
HVCT replacement cost. Many energy companies have experienced HVCT and bushing explosions that endangered
personnel and damaged nearby equipment and facilities. Bushings and HVCTs are similar in their insulation
structures and, consequently, experience similar failure modes, including design and material deficiencies.
The most common periodic maintenance test on transformer bushings and HVCTs is the off-line power factor test
performed at 10 kV. However, EPRI has shown in the laboratory that the standard off-line power factor test on
bushings or HVCTs is far less sensitive to impending failures than a power factor test performed at rated voltage and
with the insulation at operating temperature. The objectives of this project are to perform these tests in the field and
to show that the high-voltage, operating temperature, power factor test is the most effective way to predict
impending bushing and HVCT failure. Energy copmpanies with suspect bushings and HVCTs are being sought.
S37.009 Transformer Condition Assessment and Life Extension at Host Utility
Benefits: Lower capital and maintenance costs by reducing failure rate and extending the life of transformers.
Description: Transformers are the most expensive item in substations, and failure costs are typically expressed in
millions of dollars. The average age of substation-level transformers is more than 25 years, and many are
approaching the end of their design lives. In addition, transformer load is growing, and business demands for
transformer reliability are increasing dramatically. In this project, the most recent Transformer Condition
Assessment programs and tools will be applied at a customer host site to establish the health of their transformers.
The techniques used will include the latest on- and off-line testing technologies, such as frequency response analysis
(FRA) and advanced gas in oil analysis, in combination with traditional tests and proprietary diagnostic
logic/algorithms and criteria. The life extension program and tools are designed to optimize a
predictive/preventive maintenance program in combination with technologies for optimized real-time monitoring
and transformer loading and operation.
S37.010 Field Evaluation of Two New EPRI Tools for On-Site SF6 Analysis
Benefits: Diagnose and assess repair and/or refurbishing at GIS stations to reduce risk and defer replacement.
Perform a base-line assessment of the GIS condition of three GIS stations based on available test methods.
Description: The objective of this project is to provide participants with detailed practical information about
methods and instruments available for periodic tests to diagnose various configurations of GIS stations, as well as to
demonstrate these methods and instruments by performing diagnostic tests and analysis of three GIS stations.
Insulation failures have been the largest source of GIS problems. Insulation breakdown causes include partial
discharge within solid insulators, particles that are free to move within the SF6 gas insulation, partial discharge
caused by electrically floating components, partial discharge caused protrusions, high resistance at sliding or bolted
connections and excessive electrical stress during disconnect operations. Partial discharge monitoring systems
specifically designed for GIS, based on UHF electromagnetic emissions, acoustic emissions, as well as SF6 chemical
analysis, are commercially available for on-line or periodic testing. The direct cost to repair a flashover failure is a
minimum of four times (usually higher) as much as the cost to perform repairs to prevent a flashover, provided
37 Substations
accurate diagnosis can be made. The costs of disruptions are additional. Diagnostic tools can provide an effective
means to reduce in service failures and thus improve equipment reliability. These instruments can normally provide
ample warning of problems. However, the levels of testing difficulties vary depending on access availability and
characterization of signatures. Well-designed diagnostic testing and maintenance recommendations can help
optimize GIS life cycle costs. This research activity is designed to improve the quality of recommendations.
Improved diagnostic testing can help provide cost-effective alternatives to replacement of problematic GIS. The
second most serious GIS problem that energy companies have reported is SF6 gas leaks. Recommendations about
leak problems will be included as part of this project. Each participant will receive the following:
Report about GIS failure modes and risks, as well as methods and instruments available for testing,
diagnosis and assessments.
Report about worldwide experience with on-line GIS monitoring systems.
Report about results of tests and assessments of three GIS stations, including assessments of advantages and
limitations of each method at each station.
Report about any actions resulting from tests and assessments.
S37.011 SF6 Leak Sealing Customized For Host Utility Conditions
Benefits: Avoid the delays associated with dismantling SF6 filled equipment, reduce SF6 emissions by 10-20% and
minimize environmental impacts by developing new methods for on-site SF6 leak sealing.
Description: Past EPRI research has produced an excellent tool for locating SF6 leaks using a laser-based video
system. The next logical step is to develop a way to seal these leaks effectively that does not require the equipment
to be dismantled. In this way, the SF6 leak can be contained until the equipment is taken out for regular maintenance
and a permanent SF6 leak repair can be made. Con Edison, in collaboration with Kinectrics, has made an excellent
start in investigating leak-sealing materials and techniques. Their past work forms a strong foundation on which this
work is built. This TC project will focus on the optimal materials and techniques for sealing SF6 leaks on-site, with
minimal interference with the equipment. Each participant would be entitled to put forward a configuration that is of
particular concern for SF6 leaks in their company (perhaps a specific flange design, problematic pipe work,
expansion bellows). The project would address the best techniques for sealing each participants configuration. The
development will be documented, and each participant would receive the report covering the sealing materials
development, plus the sealing results from all the participants.
S37.012 Architecture for Distribution Substation Automation
Benefits: Results will enable the development of an open systems based infrastructure for distribution substation
communications. This provides the basis for building equipment that can be competitively procured and yet
integrated into energy company operations. The architecture will enable integration of advanced field equipment as
well as integrating communications with other corporate systems.
Description: The project will apply systems engineering to the development of requirements and specifications for
an open systems based infrastructure for integrating distribution substations with advanced feeder equipment and
corporate systems. Functional requirements development will focus on advanced automation functions such as
integrated volt/var, fault management and protection, loss reduction and load balancing, sectionalizing and
switching, and integration of distribution management operations. Functional requirements will be followed by
communications requirements and proposed designs for open systems based communications with intelligent
equipment. Equipment designs will apply the latest advancements in IEC TC 57 standards for utility automation,
including object-based communications.
37 Substations
T&D Maintenance Optimization (EPRIsolutions service)
Benefits: The successful application of the procedures, guidelines and technology that EPRI has developed leads to
significant improvement in the overall operational performance and financial performance of a transmission and
distribution system. The resulting improvements include: increased productivity of up to 40%; reduced maintenance
expense of up to 60%; improved product quality (rework and scrap rates reduced); extended equipment life; reduced
spares inventory of 10%-60%; increased inventory turns (up to 75%); reduced energy consumption of 5%-15%; and
increased safety, environmental, and regulatory compliance and protection.
Description: EPRIsolutions has prepared a service opportunity specifically designed for the owners of transmission
and distribution systems. Our approach provides for the application of the procedures and guidelines developed by
EPRI for transmission and distribution systems for predictive maintenance technologies on energized equipment and
their integration with existing maintenance processes. EPRIsolutions approach consists of a workshop to identify
goals of the maintenance program, to identify gaps in the current program, and to utilize EPRI technology to
improve the overall program. EPRIsolutions staff works with the participating companys team at the site to ensure
appropriate application and implementation of the procedures and guidelines.
Real-Time System Condition Monitoring (EPRIsolutions service)
Benefits: EPRIsolutions can customize its existing technology for real-time web based monitoring systems to meet
the specific needs of the system engineer, plant, or energy company. By making use of the technologies employed
in existing system monitoring packages, EPRIsolutions can provide a range of monitoring applicationsfrom a
single system to integrated packages for collecting, viewing, processing, assessing, monitoring, and alerting on
system operational data.
Description: EPRIsolutions currently has existing technology that is employed to perform condition monitoring of
in-plant systems. While the existing applications target specific systems, EPRIsolutions can customize the software
for use on just about any system that produces operational data. Examples include chemistry systems, closed
cooling water systems, turbine generator systems, pumping systems, heat exchangers systems, transformers,
substations, etc.
EPRIsolutions already has technology in use that collects data from several plant data sources (ODBC [Open
Databse Connectivity] databases, and PI historian) and consolidates the data in one place for use. Currently,
collected data is transmitted via the Internet to EPRIsolutions servers 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
EPRIsolutions then uses customizable software to provide additional processing, condition monitoring, and alerting.
In some cases, specific EPRI technology is used to perform detailed simulation and analysis of the data. In other
cases, general routines are available for assessing the state of the systems. Authorized users can view the data 24
hours a day, seven days a week using a simple web browser with an Internet connection. When alert or action levels
are reached, the application will also provide notification to appropriate users via e-mail, pager, or phone text
messaging. EPRIsolutions often provides additional general monitoring support and in some cases provides
monitoring from domain experts.
This technology can easily be translated to any plant system. It is most cost-effective when deployed across as large
a domain, or set of domains, as possible. For example, several systems at a single plant can be set up for
monitoring, or a single system across many plants could be configured. Simple monitoring systems can be installed
and configured with existing technology immediately or EPRIsolutions can customize software to meet any number
of specific needs.
The existing software has been designed to be robust and flexible. EPRIsolutions can work with in-house system
engineering and IT (Information Technology) staff to set up the software, configure the existing software, develop
new software routines and parameters, and provide technical support and training. Most customers choose to make
use of our ASP (Application Service Provider) offerings where only a small software utility is installed at the plant
and all of the back-end server applications are run from the EPRIsolutions offices. However, in-house installations
at the plant, site, and corporate level are also possible.
37 Substations
Substation Arrester and Insulator Reliability Assurance Program (EPRIsolutions service)
Benefits: Prevents costly power outages and damage to critical substation components through a program of web-
based monitoring and, if necessary, laboratory testing that is designed to identify defective substation arresters and
insulators before they fail.
Description: EPRIsolutions Substation Arrester and Insulator Reliability Assurance Program can prevent power
outages and collateral damagethe loss of transformers, breakers, and other costly equipmentby identifying
defective substation arresters and insulators before they fail. The web-based system monitor records arrester or
insulator leakage currents and phase voltage at defined intervals, as well as ambient air temperature and relative
humidity, and sends the data over the Internet to a central location for viewing and analysis. If the performance of a
monitored arrester or insulator is outside predetermined limits, email alerts are sent to energy company and
EPRIsolutions personnel so that corrective action can be taken before a component fails.
Project Prioritization for T&D Systems (EPRIsolutions service)
Benefits: Selects the portfolio of projects with the highest value to the company within current budget constraints.
Description: The objective of the Project Prioritization (P2) and EPRIsolutions service is to create a new
distribution asset management capability at energy companies. This involves designing and implementing an
approach to systematic problem solving for project evaluation and budget allocation. The P2 approach focuses on
identifying the underlying problems in the distribution system and finding all of the potential project alternatives and
options that can be used to solve each problem. The asset management capability also includes methodology;
software and training that allow energy company distribution planners to explore and compare the economics of the
potential solutions to develop the optimum portfolio of projects within the current constraints of the budget. Risks
associated with delaying or deferring projects are accounted for.
Distribution Planning Workshop (EPRIsolutions service)
Benefit: By identifying the gaps between a distribution companys planning process and best-in-class, the project
improves the effectiveness and efficiency planning.
Description: Using a time-tested approach, EPRI hosts a workshop to identify the gaps between what the
participating companys current planning practices are and what a world-class company should be doing. Following
the workshop, EPRI will propose alternatives to help close the gaps with specific programs tailored to each
participating company.
Optimizing Distribution System Planning (EPRIsolutions service)
Benefits: Substantially reduce capital and O&M costs for your T&D system.
Description: EPRIs 30+ years of experience in understanding the utility industry and its problems are brought to
bear on improving your planning process. In that period of time EPRI has developed the expertise and the approach
to bring each participating companys Distribution Planning Process to a world-class status. In a workshop, EPRI
identifies the gaps in each companys planning process when compared to the best-in-class. EPRI then provides
companies with a set of services that bridge that gap and improve the way they plan and manage the large asset base
of the distribution system. This begins by carefully identifying the system problems, whose solutions will have the
greatest impact on the system. Using EPRIs Distribution Engineering Workstation (DEW), EPRI helps participants
identify the alternative solutions for each of these problems and simulate how close each solution will come to
solving a problem, such as reliability improvements or capacity upgrades. The cost for each alternative is
accumulated in DEW. Thus the most cost-effective solution for each problem is determined. Working with company
staff, EPRIs Project Prioritization (P2) tool helps define the relative importance of each project to overall corporate
37 Substations
objectives, places them in a common database and prioritizes the overall portfolio of projects with respect to the
companys budget limitations (capital, O&M, etc.). It also identifies the risk associated with those projects, which
can be delayed or deferred and allows sensitivity analysis of the implications of larger or smaller budgets. In
addition, because of the power and flexibility of DEW and P2, unforeseen events can be more quickly and
efficiently dealt with than conventional methods.
61 Electromagnetic Compatibility
Program Overview
EPRIs Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Program delivers information and tools to identify, evaluate, and
mitigate electromagnetic interference (EMI) problems related to power system environments. Up-to-date
information and state-of-the-art tools help ensure fast resolution of EMC issues, reducing costs and liabilities and
minimizing setbacks in the siting and operation of power facilities.
EMI, which occurs when electromagnetic energy from one electrical or electronic device interferes with the
operation or performance of other devices, has been an issue for the electricity enterprise from its inception. Today,
power electronic devices and higher capacity transmission create higher magnetic fields that contribute to increasing
EMI in power system environments. Power system EMI can affect system components as well as devices used in
residential, commercial, and industrial settings and essential infrastructure such as railroad, pipeline, and
telecommunication systemsresulting in increased liabilities and costs, power facility siting problems, and sub-
optimal power system operation.
EMI problems experienced by power companies to date include unexplained tripping of transmission lines, tripping
of Flexible Alternating Current Transmission System (FACTS) devices, incorrect operation of circuit breakers
during faults due to interference with Power Line Carrier (PLC) systems, resetting of distribution fault direction
indicators, interference with licensed radio services, and interference with Nationwide Differential Global
Positioning Systems signals. These problems range from minor inconveniences to major problems that can result in
significant equipment damage and reduced system capacity. Reduced capacity issues can easily mean the
cancellation of throughput power transmission agreements, substantial lost revenue, and regulator scrutiny.
Building on years of EMC experience, EPRI has the knowledge and expertise to effectively address a broad
spectrum of power system EMI challenges, from computer monitor jitter and potential interference with use of the
Global Positioning System (GPS) to railroad signaling system malfunction and problems with substation equipment.
EPRIs EMC staff delivers high-quality research on interference issues, monitors EMC standards for equipment
used in power system environments, and is available to help participants solve EMC problems.
The EMC Program includes research that will ensure reliable operation of substation components, control room
equipment, and new technology. The program also includes work on railroad signaling system EMC to ensure
public safety at railroad crossings; this work, along with a comprehensive handbook on power system/railroad EMC
to be published in 2003, will facilitate the location of power facilities near railroad easements. In addition, EMC
evaluations of new technologies that can be adapted to the power system, such as wideband power line
communications (WPLC), will identify mitigation options that avoid the need for product redesign and reduce
interference-related costs. One new project will work with the engineering community to develop new international
EMC standards. These new standards will improve reliability by enabling successful application and operation of
substation and control room equipment without interference to system operation.
For flexibility and convenience to customers, the EMC Program projects are categorized into Project Sets. Each
contains an integrated package of projects that directly relate to and complement each other. In 2004, the Program
is moved to the Power Delivery and Markets Sector in response to the emerging needs of our power system clients.
The program will continue to address the environmental aspects of EMC in one of the Programs Product Sets. For
2004, the Program offers the following Project Sets:
PS61A Transmission System EMC

PS61B Environmental EMC.
p. 1
PROJECT SET: PS61A Transmission System EMC (058486)
The Transmission System EMC Project Set focuses on eliminating the potential of power system emissions to
interfere with other power system equipment and systems. This includes substation, transmission, and distribution
equipment, with a strong emphasis on emerging technology.
Projects

P61.001 Substation EMC Standards 058570 20042005

P61.002 EMC for Transmission and the Substation of the Future 058571 2004-2005
P61.003 Measuring and Managing EMC 058572 2004-2005
P61.001 Substation EMC Standards (058570)
Benefits: Reduces costs and improves reliability by enabling successful application and operation of substation
primary and secondary hardware and control room equipment without interference to system operation. Substation
equipment has been known to produce levels of interference that resulted in incorrect operation of substation
systems. EMC standards can be used to specify equipment performance using product standards, and thus provide
protection against system EMC problems. Direct value accrues through fewer instances of spurious equipment
tripping and consequently more reliable system operation and power supply.
Description: The following key drivers make this an important industry issue:
Enhanced and Evolving Industry Standards: Over the years, European EMC standards have changed in
concert with changes in equipment, whereas the U.S. has tended to lag behind in updating EMC standards.
The standards that have been updated fall into two categories: frequency range over which conformance is
required, and magnitude of emission or immunity. Starting in the 1980s the Europeans, through the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), have led the charge to revamp and harmonize the EMC
standards. This harmonization has been both broad and also industry specific.
Component versus System Conformance: The proper application of adequate EMI standards
(conformance) facilitates the design of reliable substation systems. Substations comprise a collection of
individual and typically industry-standard components. These components are linked together through a
unique design to form a substation. Consequently, conformance touches two issues: First, the individual
components must satisfy acceptable emission and immunity standards. Second, the overall system must
satisfy accepted standards. Conformance is a big issue because, while components may pass an emission
and immunity test, performance may not match overall design specifications when these same components
are integrated into a larger system.
Substation Technology: Over the years, substation technology has changed in three broad ways: First, the
introduction of microprocessor-based devices such as relays and personal computers has introduced both
emission and immunity issues. Second, there is greater penetration of high-speed power electronics (with
increasing ability to switch at higher voltages and currents) such as high-voltage direct-current (HVDC),
FACTS, static volt-ampere-reactive compensators (SVC), and solid-state current limiters that introduces
new sources of possible emissions. Third, within the substation control house, there is greater use of
electronic communication devices (such as microwave, handheld radios and cell phones), along with
command and control equipment (e.g., local area networks [LANs] within substations running Utility
Communications Architecture [UCA]). These advances will continue to force both designers and
operators to take an increasingly closer look at the EMC between these devices. While new substations
will be designed entirely around newer technology, many substations will be upgraded piecemeal with new
technology. An issue the Europeans are debating is how to ensure compliance to existing installations
rather than just new installations. Power system owners and operators must evaluate the impacts of the
drive of the international community toward complete revamping of the EMC standards and its
implications for control rooms and substations.
A lack of compatibility typically manifests itself in equipment malfunction, which in turn leads to less than
designed reliability of equipment. Typically, a network operator is faced with a spurious trip and precious little else
to go on when trying to analyze the problems.
The first step is clearly a review of standards and efforts either completed or underway within the European
Community and the IEC, along with a survey of how European utilities, when faced with these new standards, have
integrated them into their operations. Thus the study will deal with both the generic and the specific. The second
step is to study the differences between European and broad US standards. The study will be from two perspectives:
the impact for new substations and the impact for existing installations. Gaps will be identified and quantified.
Armed with these two studies, the research can move into the realm of harmonization and strategies, and may begin
to conceptualize remedies. Future-year research may compare industry practices with equipment and network
performance. This research is essential for the successful implementation and reliable operation of new and
refurbished substation and control technology ranging from power electronics to telecommunications.
Delivery Approach: Results will be delivered through technical reports, training seminars, technical briefings, and
epri.com.
Completion Criteria and Duration: Successful application of substation systems will be the completion criterion;
the duration will be 3 years, with continuing work as new technologies and standards develop. The overall program
philosophy is to evaluate existing European and United States standards, including proposed changes, and to track
future standards developments with the advent of new technologies.
Deliverables
Substation EMC Standards: This project will involve a full assessment of existing and proposed
substation EMC standards, and in particular what is happening that directly impacts transmission and
substation asset owners. Emerging EMC specifications for substations will be reviewed. A thorough
comparison between international and United States standards will point out differences and limitations.

2005 Substation EMC Standards Guidelines: Future research will focus on gaps identified in the 2004
research. Techniques will be developed to understand and narrow the gaps between IEC and US practices,
and to provide clear guidelines to substation designers and asset owners. Technology transfer courses are
also envisioned.
P61.002 EMC within Transmission and the Substation of the Future (058571)
Benefits: The substation of the future will have far more power electronics embedded within it. It is not
unreasonable to envision a substation that is primarily solid-state. This project reduces costs and improves
reliability by enabling successful application and reliable operation of new substation and associated control room
technology without compromising system operation.
Description: The Solid-State Substation is a vision of future electric power facilities that rely less on magnetics
and electromechanical systems and more on high-speed, high-power electronics with greater use of electronic
communication, and command and control infrastructure.
Examples of emerging solid-state substation equipment include universal transformers in distribution, solid-state
current limiters, SVC and FACTS devices. The industry is looking toward power electronics devices that quickly
switch higher currents at higher voltages. These devices generate voltages and currents with very steep rise times. It
is these fast di/dt and dv/dt transitions that lead to broad-frequency, high amplitude, conducted and radiated
interference. Likewise, the revolution has also started with secondary equipment and in the control house. Optical
voltage and current instrument devices are expected to replace iron-core oil-filled equipment. The control house has
not escaped the changes. With the use of LANs running the EPRI-developed UCA linked to fully electronic relay
and metering equipment, computers and electronic panels, the industry is getting close to a fully solid-
state/electronic substation.
The substation of the future will place extraordinary demands on the prevailing EMC standards. In order to ensure
compliance or compatibility, substation designers and asset owners need to start with appropriate equipment EMC
standards. This project will address the issue of equipment EMC standards. Studies and field measurements have
been performed within the past few years to investigate the electromagnetic environment around operating FACTS
devices. Results of these studies will be used to develop a suite of EMC specifications. The same approach applies
to substation yard and control room equipment.
Research is crucial for understanding the electromagnetic environment of new power system devices and the
complex interaction between interconnected equipment in substations and control rooms. This project will start with
a conceptual design for a substation of the future. The study will identify equipment and in particular
interconnections and couplings. The work will prioritize equipment and then complete EMC studies (which may
include analyses, laboratory and field measurements). Prioritization will be based on the evolution of the equipment.
Clearly some equipment is available today for study, whereas other equipment is in the blue print or laboratory
prototype stage. The project will identify key elements (from an EMC perspective) that should be included when
specifying emerging technologies. Further, it will guide designers and asset owners in identifying the best methods
to ensure compliance during testing and commissioning such equipment.
Delivery Approach: Results will be delivered through technical reports, technical briefings, and epri.com.
Completion Criteria and Duration: Successful application of new technologies will be the completion criterion;
the duration will be 4 to 5 years, with continuing work as new technologies develop. The overall program
philosophy is to phase research in with the advent of new technologies.
Deliverables
Substation Equipment EMC Analysis & Studies: Include a study of the substation of the future and the
study of specific equipment including FACTS, solid-state current limiter and control room equipment.

2005 - Substation Equipment EMC Analysis & Studies: Continue and document a study of the
substation of the future. The list of equipment will be developed in the 2004 conceptual design of the
substation of the future. Depending on funding and priorities, the order of equipment studied will be
updated.
updated.
updated. This final report pulls together the various equipment studies into one recommendation with
appropriate technology transfer activities.
P61.003 Measuring and Managing EMC (058572)
Benefits: Power companies need to know how to measure for compliance and how to manage EMC issues.
Knowing how and where to measure can save costs when trying to understand equipment malfunction and return
equipment back to reliable operation. The management component provides substation asset owners with options
for managing EMC and reducing the effects of emission and interference to ensure that problems dont re-appear.
Effective measurement and management are key activities in ensuring conformance with EMI standards, thereby
improving network and system reliability.
Description: The electromagnetic environment within a substation is very complex. Substations represent an
intricate interconnected collection of devices that serve as electromagnetic wave emitters and receptors. While some
interconnections are obvious, other linkages are obscure and demand a thorough understanding of the equipment,
EMC, as well as the capabilities and limitations of field measurements. The situation is further compounded by the
fact that every substation is designed differently and the substations are populated with different technologies.
The issue of measurement and management occurs in two settings: The first covers the case of new equipment
commissioning. EMC measurement and compliance are key tasks of a commissioning test regime. Understanding
where to measure and how to interpret the results is key to this task. The second setting arises when a lack of EMC
is suspected as the cause of equipment malfunction. The issue is how and where to start the analysis and
measurement activities. Further, after a problem is uncovered, the appropriate mitigation technique must be
selected.
The electromagnetic environment can be corrupted when technology that has the potential of emitting high levels of
electromagnetic waves is integrated with electronic equipment that is susceptible to electromagnetic interference. A
proactive approach to EMC management is essential. The idea of an EMC audit program is one route. Specifying
and executing an EMC audit program requires an understanding of EMC, equipment, limitations, measurement
techniques, and the associated interrelationships. In most cases, outside contractors/consultants will be used to
execute an EMC audit, and substation asset owners need to be very clear as to what needs to be measured, where
measurements will take place and how the results will be analyzed.
Delivery Approach: Results will be delivered through technical reports, technical briefings, and epri.com.
Completion Criteria and Duration: Successful application of new techniques and technologies will be the
completion criterion; the duration will be 2 to 3 years, with continuing work as new technologies develop.
Deliverables
Measuring & Managing Substation EMC: To begin a proactive EMC management process, this project
takes the prevailing standardsparticularly the ECand then translates them into a set of guidelines for
asset owners. Measurement procedures, equipment, and practices will be explained.

2005Measuring & Managing Substation EMC: This project continues the work started in 2004 and
publishes the final report. The measurement task focuses on how and where to measure, and the
management task deals with mitigation techniques.
2006Substation EMC Audit Program: This project establishes a clear approach to specifying,
contracting and interpreting the results from an EMC audit program.
PROJECT SET: PS61B Environmental EMC Project Set (058487)
The Environment EMC Project Set includes projects relating primarily to the potential of power system emissions
to interfere with equipment and systems that are not part of the power system. Such emissions become part of the
electromagnetic environment. This includes emissions from substation, transmission, and distribution systems that
are functioning as intended. Not included are equipment defects and failures, and power quality issues. This
Project Set has a strong emphasis on emerging technology.
Projects

P61.004 Railroad Signaling System Compatibility With Power Lines 058573 2004-2006
P61.005 EMC Information Services 058574 2004-2006
P61.004 Railroad Signaling System Compatibility with Power Lines (058573)
Benefits: Reduces costs, facilitates line siting near railroad facilities, and ensures public safety at railroad crossings
by identifying causes of interference with signal systems, characterizing signal system response, and enabling quick
resolution of interference problems. The ability to use joint corridors with railroads frequently saves millions of
dollars and years of right-of-way acquisition. Maintaining this option in an era of railroad electronic systems that
are more sensitive to certain interference is a necessary part of running an economical transmission and distribution
system.
Description: Highway grade-crossing warning devices and track circuits, which signal that a train is coming and
cause crossing gates to lower and signal lights to flash, can be susceptible to power line interference. Most grade-
crossing problems result in false activation of warning devices, creating a serious safety problem since people
eventually lose confidence in the devices and may venture across the tracks when a train is coming. Research is
needed to evaluate coupling mechanisms, characterize the response of the new generation of grade-crossing signal
equipment to power-frequency interference, and recommend mitigation options.
Susceptibility information on grade-crossing signal equipment response to 60-Hz and harmonic frequencies will
help railroad organizations select equipment with the highest immunity and design appropriate mitigation for
locations with predicted or measured power-line-induced voltage. Collection of data using the EPRI track simulator
may be the most cost-effective approach. Limited field-testing will be useful to demonstrate the validity of the
modeled data. In addition, it may be helpful to develop a database of measured railroad signal equipment
susceptibility at 60 Hz and at relevant harmonic frequencies.
Existing railroad/power system corridors can be complex, and sometimes involve more than one power company.
Interference that adversely affects the railroad signal system is sometimes intermittent and may be influenced by
both railroad and power system operating conditions. Consequently, railroad personnel have difficulty in
identifying the mechanism by which power system energy is coupled into the railroad system; possibilities include
magnetic field induction and earth-current coupling. A railroad/power line handbook under development in 2003
will include a set of diagnostic procedures and methods (with case studies) that can be used to effectively
investigate interference incidents. This work is part of a comprehensive effort to address power system and railroad
EMC. A series of seminars based on the handbook is planned to begin in 2004. Future research will focus on
diagnostic software and hardware tools, characterization of the railroadpower system electromagnetic
environment, and evaluation of the susceptibility of railroad communication and signaling systems to external
interference sources.
Delivery Approach: Results will be delivered through technical reports and seminars.
Completion Criteria and Duration: The project will be considered complete when conditions for interference are
understood and technology for managing interference problems has been delivered; the duration of the project will
be approximately 2 to 3 years, with completion by 20062007.
Deliverables
Effects of AC Transient Induction Surges on Railroad Insulated Joints: In certain joint-use corridors
where electrical transmission lines parallel railroad tracks, railroad insulated joints have been reported to fail
at a higher rate than insulated joints in locations where transmission lines are not present. This project will
evaluate failure rates at various locations, examine failed joints to determine root causes for failure, and,
possibly, include testing of joints under controlled conditions.

2005Power System and Railroad EMC Diagnostic Hardware Tools: Electromagnetic interference
from power lines can affect highway grade-crossing warning devices and track circuits. This project will
provide hardware to assist in the characterization of existing conductive and inductive interference. The
lessons learned in the development of the Power System and Railroad Electromagnetic Compatibility
Handbook will be applied to the creation of inexpensive, easy-to-use equipment. EPRIs experience in
cooperative research with the railroads has provided an understanding of power systemrailroad system
interaction that will be extremely useful in this EMC work. This work will also help ensure public safety.
2006Power System and Railroad EMC Handbook Seminars: A series of seminars is planned to
provide participants the opportunity to maximize their benefits from the Power System and Railroad EMC
Handbook.
2006Power System and Railroad EMC Handbook Update: The Power System and Railroad EMC
Handbook was developed to guide interference investigations and facilitate the co-location of new or
upgraded electric power facilities on railroad easements. The handbook is a practical guide for
characterizing ac interference problems, investigating sources and paths of interference energy, diagnosing
root causes, and evaluating mitigation options. This second edition will incorporate new developments in
railroad signaling technology, power delivery technology, and the understanding of effects of electrical
interference. Examples of new material include further developments in the understanding of dc
transmission effects and failure modes of insulated rail joints.
P61.005 EMC Information Services (058574)
Benefits: Provides up-to-the-minute, in-depth information on current EMC research and reliable services for
investigating EMC problems and developing cost-effective solutions that ensure optimal power system operation,
reduce interference-related liabilities, and minimize delays in siting new projects.
Description: EPRI provides timely information and in-depth analysis of the latest EMC research results both in
hard copy and via several electronic media outlets, including epri.com. Deliverables are intended to keep engineers,
managers, and customer service staff informed of developments related to electromagnetic compatibility and
interference situations and solutions.
EMC problems often come in unexpected forms and need immediate attention. Today numerous technologies, from
ordinary broadcast radio and television to sensitive radio telescopes, medical diagnostic equipment, and navigation
aids, crowd a wide range of frequencies. To deal with this complexity, a variety of diagnostic procedures may be
needed to identify possible interference sources. The question of what receivers and antennas to use or where to
start looking is important for successful and cost-effective solutions. As new industries move into an area, new
problems may arise with industry-specific equipment. These concerns compound the need for a reliable source of
information that participants can count on for help in solving EMC problems. Building on the procedures and
experience of other EPRI programs that have proved to be valuable resources for participants, the EMC Program
provides information and guidance on dealing with various interference situations.
Delivery Approach: Results will be delivered through peer literature, technical papers, services, and epri.com.
Completion Criteria and Duration: The provision of EMC information will be an ongoing effort; participants
will help determine the overall content and priority of these services. Because EMC issues may involve the
reliability of electrical systems, this project is critical for the electricity enterprise.
Deliverables
Customer EMC Brochure: This project will provide a brochure suitable for distribution to the public.
The brochure will explain electric power EMC issues as well as other sources of EMC. The brochure will
give participants an effective tool for communicating with their customers the causes and possible solutions
for a wide range of commonly encountered EMC problems.
EMC Information Services: EMC information services are provided throughout the year, communicating
new findings from EPRI and other sources as they become available. Services include technical
assessments, reviews of important papers and presentations, and material available through the Internet. A
resource paper providing an introduction to EMC measurements and compliance is also planned.
Service (E208117), 12/31/04

2005 - EMC Information Services: EMC information services are provided throughout the year,
communicating new findings from EPRI and other sources as they become available. Services include
technical assessments, reviews of important papers and presentations, and material available through the
Internet. A resource paper providing an introduction to EMC measurements and compliance is also
planned.
2006 - EMC Information Services: EMC information services are provided throughout the year,
communicating new findings from EPRI and other sources as they become available. Services include
technical assessments, reviews of important papers and presentations, and material available through the
Internet. A resource paper providing an introduction to EMC measurements and compliance is also
planned.
As described in further detail in EPRIs policies, the results from these projects may be available to only the
Marketing
S61.001 Power System and Railroad EMC Diagnostic Software Tools

S61.002 Magnetic Data Storage Immunity to Power-Frequency Fields
S61.003 EMI Emission Measurements near FACTS Devices
S61.001 Power System and Railroad EMC Diagnostic Software Tools
Benefits: Reduces costs and ensures public safety through prediction of potential interference problems and
characterization of existing ones. This work will ensure reliable railroad system operation and minimize power
facility siting problems.
Description: Electromagnetic interference from power lines can affect highway grade-crossing warning devices
and track circuits. This project will provide software in the form of applets and application programs to assist in
both the prediction of inductive interference and the characterization of existing conductive and inductive
interference. EPRIs experience in cooperative research with the railroads has provided an understanding of power
systemrailroad system interaction that will be extremely useful in this EMC work. Organizations participating in
this work will also benefit by ensuring public safety.
S61.002 Magnetic Data Storage Immunity to Power-Frequency Fields
Benefits: This work will facilitate the siting of new transmission lines and substations in locations where harmful
interference to data storage devices is a concern.
Description: The immunity levels of various magnetic data storage media are largely unknown for 50/60-Hz
magnetic fields. Information storage on data tapes, audio and video master tapes, computer disks, and other
magnetic media, such as substation wireless local area network (WLAN) data storage, will be evaluated. This work
will characterize levels of 50/60-Hz magnetic fields that are safe for long-term storage as well as safe levels of
transient fields, or spikes above ambient levels, from system faults. Engineers can then design facilities so that data
stored on magnetic media will not be lost or corrupted.
S61.003 EMI Emission Measurements Near FACTS Devices
Benefits: Reduces costs and improves reliability by enabling successful application and operation of substation and
control room technology without siting delays or interference to system operation.
Description: FACTS devices with new switching technologies and alternative installation designs are currently in
various stages of development. This supplemental project will investigate the conducted and radiated
electromagnetic energy generated by the application of fast-switching power electronic devices. It will include
measurements at operating facilities and an assessment of the susceptibility of nearby systems (including other non-
electricity-industry devices located outside substation fences). Specific work will include measurements of new
switching technologies and of the effects of metallic and nonmetallic switch enclosures, metallic and nonmetallic
connections to inverter halls, and filtering. This additional year of study is a follow-on to the work completed under
the base program in 2003.
122 Power Delivery Applications For Superconductivity
Program Overview
All-superconducting transmission systems are expected to help reduce or eliminate the vulnerability of the power
delivery infrastructure to unplanned fault currents, outages, bottlenecks and poor power quality. Efficiency gains
from superconducting components will dramatically reduce losses and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Reduction
in the use of oil-filled equipment (transformers) will minimize our footprint on the environment. Additionally, the
extended equipment life and lower maintenance costs of an all-superconducting system would enhance the long-
term economic viability of a restructured industry. The projects in this Program pave the way for and validate
early adoption technologies that are technically and economically feasible today and that will establish the
foundation for a superconducting power grid of the future. For example, one project, Demonstrate and Facilitate
Development of HTS Superconducting Cable Systems, will capture the lessons learned from ongoing high-
temperature superconducting cable projects. In 2004, testing will be completed and operational data documented
from a superconducting cable installed at Detroit Edisons Frisbie substation (for actual field verification). The
construction experience and data will be analyzed to document lessons learned in a valuable EPRI summary report.
Building on the Detroit Edison HTS cable project experience base, the Program will then continue to support the
research that is vital to the commercial success of high-voltage superconducting transmission cables, such as
research in the area of cold dielectrics and high-voltage cryostat design. Overall, this project will demonstrate the
design, performance, installation and reliability of the superconducting cable technology to meet actual electric
utility underground transmission requirements. This new technology option also provides customers with lower
losses and shorter installation time.
The Program provides cutting-edge research and critical studies to accelerate the introduction of superconducting
technologies into the power delivery grid. In areas of immediate industry need, where superconducting technologies
can have a cost-effective impact, the projects advance technology assessment, development, and deployment. For
example, in one project we will develop and deploy a superconducting fault current limiter. Another project will
develop the framework for solid business justifications of superconducting technology applications. This research
will evaluate superconducting options against both conventional alternatives and investment return criteria, and
identify niche and emerging markets to advance the eventual full-scale integration of superconductivity into the
electric enterprise. Overall, the projects in this Program support the development of superconducting technologies
that address a variety of current and emerging issues in the restructured energy business.
Projects

P122.001 Demonstrate and Facilitate Development of HTS Superconducting Cable 102090 2004-2007
Systems (NEW)
P122.002 Business Case and Value Proposition for Superconducting Substation 058565 2004-2006
Components (NEW)
P122.003 Evaluate, Develop and Deploy Transmission-Level Superconducting Fault 058566 2004-2006
Current Limiter (NEW)
P122.004 O&M Guidelines for Cryogenic and Superconducting Components in the T&D 058567 2004-2006
System (NEW)
The projects summarized above describe research results that are planed for delivery between April 1, 2004 and March 31, 2007.
p. 1
P122.001 Demonstrate and Facilitate Development of HTS Superconducting Cable

Systems (102090)
Benefits: Superconducting cables will currently benefit stressed T&D systems, particularly in urban areas, where
load growth, combined with constraints on siting new T&D facilities, make conventional solutions infeasible or
economically unattractive.
Description: Research to date suggests that the most economically viable superconducting cable systems will be
those utilizing a so-called cold-dielectric and flexible cryostat design. Design criteria for underground
superconducting cable systems, particularly those using cold (cryogenic) dielectrics for insulation and flexible
cryogenic fluid conduits (cryostats), are not well understood or established. This research will establish and
validate design criteria for superconducting cable systems using flexible cryostats and operating at low temperatures
and high voltages. Research on various materials will be performed to identify the most promising cryogenic
dielectrics. A survey of existing cryostat designs and design problems will be undertaken to identify design
weaknesses and to suggest new approaches. The design criteria will be verified first in laboratory-scale experiments
and then applied in an actual cold dielectric cable demonstration at a host utility.
Delivery Approach: The deliverables will first be prepared in draft form for review and comment by project
advisors. After the draft versions have been updated, final products will be prepared in electronic format for
distribution. The report(s) will also be electronically downloadable from www.epri.com.
Completion Criteria and Duration: This is a multi-year project, with future project direction and deliverables
contingent upon the results of current-year research. The Power Delivery Applications of Superconductivity
Working Group will review the preliminary results of this project and determine the requirements for future
research and deliverables. The completion dates for the project deliverables are the dates shown below.
Deliverables
Design Criteria for Superconducting Cable Systems: Survey, research, and technology assessment to
identify suitable materials and establish viable cable system designs.

2005Demonstrate Cold Dielectric, Transmission-Level Superconducting Cable: Performance Data
On Cold Dielectric Cable.
2006Demonstrate Cold Dielectric, Transmission-Level Superconducting Cable: Performance Data
On Cold Dielectric Cable.
P122.002 Business Case and Value Proposition for Superconducting Substation

Components (058565)
Benefits: Reduce or eliminate the vulnerability of the power delivery infrastructure to unplanned fault currents,
outages, bottlenecks and poor power quality; reduce dependence on fossil fuels through higher power delivery
efficiencies; minimize environmental impacts by reduction in the use of oil-filled equipment (transformers); and
extend equipment life and lower maintenance costs through the use of an all-superconducting system.
Description: Preliminary technical evaluations of superconducting substation components and the remarkable
progress in fabricating high-performance, low-cost superconducting wire suggest that the all-superconducting
substation is a not-too-distant reality. However, EPRI expects that such a substation will not come about all at once,
but will rather evolve out of high-value niche applications of individual superconducting substation components.
The early deployment of components such as superconducting cables and fault current limiters must be justified and
motivated by a strong business case and value proposition. It is believed that economic applications of
superconducting substation components exist today, but the solid business justifications for these are undeveloped
or nonexistent. This research will survey market and user requirements, evaluate superconducting options against
both conventional alternatives and investment return criteria, describe niche and emerging markets, and attempt to
establish a rough market size. The economic benefits of deploying these technologies will be developed using
appropriate models for the value proposition.
Delivery Approach: The deliverables for each technology will first be prepared in draft form for review and
comment by project advisors. After the draft versions have been updated, final products will be prepared in
electronic format for distribution. The report(s) will also be electronically downloadable from www.epri.com.
Completion Criteria and Duration: This project is a multi-year project that identifies and addresses a range of
technologies for superconducting substations. Topics will be added and removed from the project under the
direction of the Power Delivery Applications of Superconductivity Working Group. The advisory committee
reviewing the preliminary versions of the deliverables will determine the requirements for the final technical
reports. The completion dates for tasks currently planned are shown below.
Deliverables
Superconducting Fault Current Limiters Business Case and Value Proposition: Survey of Utility
Requirements
Superconducting Cable Business Case and Value Proposition: Siting and Load Flow Studies

2005Superconducting Fault Current Limiters Business Case and Value Proposition: Utility
Requirements Workshop and Final Report.
2005Superconducting Cables Business Case and Value Proposition: Case Studies and Analyses and
Final Report.
2005Superconducting Transformers Business Case: MVA Size and Wire Cost Breakpoint
Assessment.
2006Superconducting Transformers Business Case: Feasibility of Adding Fault Current Limiter.
P122.003 Evaluate, Develop and Deploy Transmission-Level Superconducting Fault

Current Limiter (058566)
Benefits: Reduce or eliminate the vulnerability of the power delivery infrastructure to unplanned fault currents
brought on by new independent power producers (IPPs) and changes in historical power flows; reduce substation
and transmission upgrade costs; and improve system reliability.
Description: Under its Strategic Science and Technology (SS&T) Program, EPRI has entered into a cost-shared
project to develop and demonstrate a transmission-voltage-level superconducting fault current limiter (FCL). The
EPRI project is leveraged by 50% funding from the US DOE. Also under development, in a separate program, is a
solid-state fault current limiter for transmission-system voltages. While these two programs represent the most
promising approach to solving the increasing problems with excessive and unplanned for fault currents on
transmission systems, there are other alternatives. A survey and evaluation of all fault current-limiting technologies
and methodologies are needed to frame the proper research questions to be answered by the EPRI research and to
provide justification for continued funding of these technologies. Through the SS&T-funded portion of the
superconducting FCL project, a group of energy companies will be solicited to act as sponsors with one becoming
the host. This project will also capture and report on the market and operational requirements for an FCL as
perceived by these energy companies.
Delivery Approach: The deliverables will first be prepared in draft form for review and comment by project
advisors. After the draft versions have been updated, final products will be prepared in electronic format for
distribution. The report(s) will also be electronically downloadable from www.epri.com.
Completion Criteria and Duration: This is a continuation of a project begun in 2003 under EPRIs Strategic
Science and Technology (SS&T) Program, and is being transferred to Base Funding for completion and delivery of
the final report. The Power Delivery Applications of Superconductivity Working Group reviewing the results of
this project will evaluate the need for future research, including the need for field demonstration performance
reports (anticipated). It is planned to transfer this project to the New Substation Concepts Project Set in 2006 or
2007. The completion dates for the project deliverables are the dates shown below.
Deliverables
Survey of Fault Current Limiter Technologies (Superconducting & Non-Superconducting)
Test of Superconducting Fault Current Limiter Alpha Prototype

2005Host Utility Evaluation of Prototype Fault Current Limiter: Economic and Market Assessment.
2006Host Utility Test Results of Prototype Fault Current Limiter: Economic and Market
Assessment.
P122.004 O&M Guidelines for Cryogenic and Superconducting Components In the T&D
System (058567)
outages, bottlenecks and poor power quality; reduce dependence on fossil fuels through higher power delivery
efficiencies; minimize environmental impacts by reduction in the use of oil-filled equipment (transformers); and
extend equipment life and lower maintenance costs through the use of an all-superconducting system.
Description: The introduction of superconducting power system components, including cryogenic and vacuum
systems, inside traditional energy company substations has already begun, albeit on a limited scale. These systems
represent technologies vastly different from the equipment that substation maintenance and operation personnel are
used to dealing with, and bring with them new and unique maintenance and operations requirements. While
cryogenic systems today are highly reliable and routinely used in mission critical situations (e.g., hospitals), they are
nevertheless not maintenance free, and will require periodic attention from personnel trained in their particular
needs. The issues associated with introducing this new class of equipment into the electric substation environment
need to be explored and a set of guidelines and recommended best practices developed. While full deployment of
superconducting technologies is several years away, the early consideration of viable equipment and system
designs, and maintenance scenarios and business models for supplying cold to substations is already under way in
the cryogenic supplier industry as well as in some forward-thinking energy companies. EPRI members have a
unique opportunity to inform the present discussions and shape the final outcomes through this project. The
research approach will be to first convene a workshop involving energy company and superconducting technology
stakeholders to identify and assess O&M issues. This will be followed by the development of a Handbook on O&M
Guidelines for Cryogenic and Superconducting Substation Equipment.
Delivery Approach: The guidelines will be delivered as both a traditional report and an interactive CD-ROM.
Both the report and the CD-ROM will first be prepared in draft form for review and comment by project advisors.
After these draft versions and software have been updated, final products will be prepared in electronic format for
distribution. The report will also be electronically downloadable from www.epri.com.
Completion Criteria and Duration: This project is a multi-year project that identifies and addresses a range of
issues related to inspection, condition assessment, and maintenance of superconducting substation components.
Topics will be added and removed from the project under the direction of the Power Delivery Applications of
Superconductivity Working Group. The advisory committee reviewing the preliminary versions of the deliverables
will determine the requirements for the final technical reports. The completion dates, for tasks currently planned, are
shown below.
Deliverables
O&M Guidelines For Superconducting Substations: Identification of O&M Issues for Introduction of
Superconducting Components Into the Substation Environment, Including Utility/Industry Workshop.

2005O&M Guidelines For Superconducting Substations: Draft Handbook of Recommended and Best
Practices.
2006O&M Guidelines For Superconducting Substations: Handbook of Recommended and Best
Practices.
Marketing
S122.001 Assess, Develop and Deploy Superconducting Magnetic Energy Storage (SMES) for FACTS and
Transmission Stability
S122.002 Demonstrate Cold Dielectric HTS Cable in Utility Application
S122.001 Assess, Develop and Deploy Superconducting Magnetic Energy Storage

(SMES) for FACTS and Transmission Stability
Benefits: Reduce or eliminate the vulnerability of the power delivery infrastructure to outages, bottlenecks and
poor power quality by adding active (real) power flexibility to traditional FACTS devices.
Description: Recent assessments of SMES with FACTS performed under EPRIs Strategic Science and
Technology (SS&T) Program have shown that adding SMES to FACTS devices is both technically and
economically feasible under certain grid condition scenarios and with properly designed SMES-FACTS interfaces
and control systems. Conceptual control system designs have been developed by EPRI and are ready for
commercial prototype deployment. SMES magnet and cryogenics technology is also at or near the commercial
prototype stage. What is needed now are host energy company demonstrations of large-scale SMES + FACTS
systems to validate proposed design concepts, functional and operational performance parameters, and economic
benefit projections. This project will provide the sponsoring customer with valuable, hands-on field experience and
help establish a market and technical edge that comes from being an early adopter.
S122.002 Demonstrate Cold Dielectric HTS Cable in Utility Application
outages, bottlenecks and poor power quality. Efficiency gains from superconducting components will dramatically
reduce losses and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Reduction in the use of oil-filled equipment (transformers) will
minimize the footprint on the environment. The extended equipment life and lower maintenance costs of an all-
superconducting system will enhance the long-term economic viability of a restructured industry.
Description: This project will demonstrate the cold dielectric, transmission-level superconducting cable. The cable
will be designed and manufactured, and design criteria for SC cable systems and for flexible cryostats will be
established and validated. The cable will be installed and operated in a real energy company setting. A report
will be provided with performance data.
123 Generation Switchyards
Program Overview
The generation switchyard is a critical link between the plant and the transmission path to the customers. Generation
switchyards contain many components critical to the delivery of power generated at the associated plant. Failure of
any of these critical components due to poor operating and maintenance practices, and lack of effective equipment
diagnostics and condition assessment, can cost millions of dollars in lost revenue. This program will address
maintenance, condition assessment, and life extension of switchyard components. The initial emphasis will be on
transformers.
One project will produce guidelines for the life extension of switchyard equipment. EPRI and its clients have
invested many millions of dollars to create life extension guidelines for substation equipment. That experience and
know-how will be customized for direct application to the special requirements of generation switchyards. The
guidelines will help customers reduce switchyard capital and maintenance costs by enabling electricity companies to
compare in-house maintenance and testing procedures with updated industry standards and manufacturers
recommendations. All critical components of a switchyard will be covered in the guidelines. Information will be
categorized according to equipment type and further subdivided into sections dealing with design, operation and
maintenance, trouble modes, condition assessment, and life extension. A second project will develop on-line
techniques for the assessment of transformer condition related to operating criteria, including on-line monitoring of
transformer operating condition. Monitoring software can reside on plant or company networks, and can optionally
be part of an ASP (Application Service Provider) program in which collected data is transmitted via the Internet to
EPRIsolutions servers 24 hours per day, seven days per week.
By leveraging off of the wealth of knowledge gained in EPRIs transformer and substation research, generation
switchyard owners and operators will receive tremendous value from participation in this program. Applying the
results of this program will ensure the safe and reliable operation of critical switchyard components.
If a program customer implements the results obtained from this program this year in generation switchyards, it is
estimated that the switchyard reliability will improve by 5 to 10% and maintenance costs will be reduced by 5 to
10%. Program customers from our Substations Program have estimated that they obtain a return on their investment
in the range of a factor of 2:1 to 4:1 by funding that program. In the case of switchyards, the prevention of one
unexpected outage that involves a loss of revenue could result in a return on investment that is orders of magnitude
higher.
Projects

P123.001 Life Extension of Switchyard Equipment 058568 2004-2005
P123.002 Transformer Operating Condition Assessment 058569 2004-2005
p. 1
P123.001 Life Extension of Switchyard Equipment (058568)
Benefits: Reduce switchyard capital and maintenance costs while maintaining reliability and equipment longevity
through user-friendly and timely access to vital information and decision tools.
Description This project will produce guidelines for the life extension of switchyard equipment. The guidelines will
be based on a similar product produced for transmission substation equipment, but will be tailored specifically to the
special requirements and equipment of switchyards. The guidelines will help customers reduce switchyard capital
and maintenance costs by enabling electricity companies to compare in-house maintenance and testing procedures
with updated industry standards and manufacturers recommendations. Equipment covered in the guidelines will
include generator step-up transformers, unit auxiliary transformers, reserve auxiliary transformers, circuit breakers,
relay and control systems, isophase bus and other bus-duct structures, deluge/fire protection systems, dc systems,
grounding systems, surge arresters, control cables, bushings, and instrument transformers. Future annual updates to
the guidelines will address changing technology and the changing environment in which energy companies do
business today, and provide ready access to ongoing EPRI research in switchyard equipment maintenance and
diagnostic tools. The guidelines will be published as a fully searchable CD-ROM. The text-based guidelines will
also be produced in an Extensible Markup Language (XML) format that will ultimately allow integration of the
guidelines into energy company databases and facilitate access to its information in online, real-time scenarios using
data-mining tools such as EPRIs Maintenance Management Workstation (MMW).
Delivery Approach: Advisors and EPRI staff review drafts before final publication. Final updates will be prepared
in electronic format for distribution. The report(s) will also be electronically downloadable from www.epri.com.
Completion Criteria and Duration: This is an ongoing project, with annual updates and incremental product
improvements. Proposed updates and format changes originate with review and comment by project advisors
through working group meetings. The advisory committee also determines requirements for the final version of the
product.
Deliverables
Life Extension Guidelines for Switchyard Equipment: Report and CD-ROM deliver latest developments
in end-of-life criteria for switchyard equipment.

2005Life Extension Guidelines for Switchyard Equipment 2005 Update: Report and CD-ROM
deliver latest developments in end-of-life criteria for major equipment groups, as well as general updates
across all equipment categories.
P123.002 Transformer Operating Condition Assessment (058569)
Benefits: Reduce capital costs and loss of revenue by increasing the reliability of transformers and improving the
level of information obtainable for better decision making through monitoring, diagnostics, and on-line condition
assessment.
Description: The aging infrastructure of large generator step-up (GSU) and auxiliary transformers built in the
1960s and 1970s poses a serious strategic issue for generation companies worldwide. Catastrophic failures are
escalating both in number and cost, including loss of revenue and environmental impacts. Many of these
transformers have exceeded their initial design life, and yet their condition is usually unknown. This is of particular
concern in the case of GSUs since these transformers are usually operated at full load and consequently operate at or
near maximum temperature continuously. Continuous assessment of transformer operating condition, accomplished
through on-line monitoring, off-line diagnostic tests, and expert system diagnostic and analysis software, is therefore
essential in order to maintain reliability and extend life. This project will develop on-line techniques for the
assessment of transformer condition related to operating criteria. The first products will include an on-line
acoustic/vibration technology for the thermal, mechanical, and electrical assessment of transformers and load tap
changers (LTCs), and software for monitoring the real-time thermal performance of GSUs to verify that the cooling
system (including radiators, fans, pumps and controls) is operating in accordance with specifications. Customers
may chose to make use of EPRIsolutions ASP offerings where only a small software utility is installed at the plant
and all of the back-end server applications (i.e., customizable software to provide additional processing, condition
monitoring, and alerting) are run from the EPRIsolutions offices. However, in-house installations at the plant, site,
and corporate level are also available.
Delivery Approach: The deliverable reports and software will first be prepared in draft form for review and
comment by project advisors. After updating the draft versions, final products will be prepared in electronic format
for distribution. The reports and software will also be electronically downloadable from www.epri.com.
Deliverables
On-Line Acoustic/Vibration Technology Development: Report on technology development for
providing thermal, mechanical and electrical condition of transformers.
On-Line Thermal Performance Software: Software to diagnose thermal performance of

transformers in real-time.
Software (1008702), 12/31/04

2005On-Line Acoustic/Vibration Technology Development: Commercialization of
technology.
Marketing
S123.001 Evaluation of an On-line Technique for the Measurement of Bushing and HVCT Power Factors at
Rated Voltage and Temperature in Switchyards
S123.002 Moisture Assessment, Ranking, and Dry-out of Switchyard Transformers
S123.001 Evaluation of an On-line Technique for the Measurement of Bushing and HVCT
Power Factors at Rated Voltage and Temperature in Switchyards
Benefits: Measurement of bushing and HVCT power factors at rated voltage and operating temperature, without an
outage, affords the most efficient and effective method for predicting imminent failure.
Description: Generator step-up and auxiliary transformers are critical, capital-intensive assets in the power plant.
These transformers are extremely reliable; however, many of them in use at plants today have already exceeded their
design life. Bushings are an essential component of transformers and are one of the most common causes of
catastrophic failure for transformers. The majority of transformers are still operating with their original bushings;
therefore, maintaining and monitoring bushing condition is essential. High-voltage current transformers (HVCT) are
another critical switchyard component. Although the capital cost of HVCTs is relatively low compared to power
transformers, the financial consequences of catastrophic failure can be higher by orders of magnitude than the
HVCT replacement cost, particularly when lost revenue occurs. Many utilities have experienced HVCT and bushing
explosions that endangered personnel and damaged nearby equipment and facilities. Bushings and HVCTs are
similar in their insulation structures and, consequently, experience similar failure modes, including design and
material deficiencies.
The most common periodic maintenance test on transformer bushings and HVCTs is the off-line power factor test
performed at 10 kV. This test requires an outage and so is not practical as a diagnostic test in most power plants. In
addition, EPRI has shown in the laboratory that the standard off-line power factor test on bushings or HVCTs is far
less sensitive to impending failures than a power factor test performed at rated voltage and with the insulation at
operating temperature. The objectives of this project are to perform these tests in the field and to show that the high-
voltage, operating temperature, power factor test is the most effective way to predict impending bushing and HVCT
failure. Power plant owners with suspect bushings and HVCTs are being sought.
S123.002 Moisture Assessment, Ranking, and Dry-out of Switchyard Transformers
Benefits: The moisture condition of power transformers is a critical parameter for safe and reliable operation. Proper
assessment of moisture in paper is essential for an effective life extension program in switchyards.
Description: Energy companies throughout the world have experienced the damaging effects of moisture in power
transformers. Some of these damaging effects result in long-term outages, prolonged filtering processes, and even
catastrophic failures. Prior EPRI studies have been performed to define the consequences of water contamination.
Many of these studies define adverse transformer impacts ranging from decreased dielectric strength, loss of life,
tank and core corrosion to vapor bubble evolution. Other EPRI studies have defined acceptable levels of moisture,
mechanisms of moisture ingress, the dynamics and interactions between the oil and variables such as winding
insulation, temperature, and load as well as safe operating limits for wet transformers.
In order to put this knowledge to use, diagnostic tests and condition assessment tools have been developed. These
can be either on-line or off-line, but all require measurement of parameters related to the moisture content of oil.
However, many factors, such as the dynamics of moisture movement back and forth between the paper and the oil
during temperature cycling, must be taken into consideration, otherwise extreme errors in moisture assessment will
result. In addition, the actual determination of the moisture content of oil is fraught with uncertainties. Despite the
fact that the Karl Fischer method is the de facto standard for measuring the water content of oil, human errors and a
number of uncertainties associated with the oil sampling procedure deteriorate the reliability of measurements and
could lead to deceptive conclusions.
This project will disseminate critical knowledge gained during the EPRI research and apply this knowledge at power
plants. The objectives are: to make an assessment of all of the switchyard transformers, rank these transformers in
terms of moisture content, apply an on-line monitoring system to selected transformers, including the beta version of
EPRIs Transformer Moisture Monitor (TMM) software, and dry out one or more while continuing to monitor their
moisture condition. The amount of moisture removed during the dry out will be used as verification of the
algorithms in the TMM software. An improved procedure of oil sampling from operating transformers, and an
evaluation of the moisture content of the oil samples by means of the Karl Fischer apparatus, will be implemented at
the plant. This procedure will be used for the off-line classification and ranking of the transformers in terms of
moisture content.

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EPRI Destinations 2004

PS37A Transformer Life Management

PROJECT SET: PS37A Transformer Life Management (056064)

Project Set Overview

Marketing Lifetime Research

P37.001 Transformer End-of-Life and Condition Assessment (056022)

Future Year Deliverables

P37.002 Transformer Life Extension (058559)

Transformer Operating Risk Assessment: Development of models

Future Year Deliverables

PROJECT SET: PS37B Improve Overall Substation Maintenance Management (056065)

Project Set Overview

Marketing Lifetime Research

P37.003 Substation Equipment Life Extension Guidelines (052019)

Future Year Deliverables

P37.004 Best Practices for Inspection, Maintenance, and Monitoring (058560)

Future Year Deliverables

P37.005 Integrated Monitoring and Diagnostics (058561)

Future Year Deliverables

P37.006 Circuit Breaker Condition Assessment (058562)

Completion Criteria and Duration: This is estimated to be a four-year project.

PROJECT SET: PS37C Improve SF6 Equipment Performance (056066)

Project Set Overview

Marketing Lifetime Research

P37.007 SF6 Environmental Management and Equipment Performance (052021)

Future Year Deliverables

Project Set Overview

Marketing Lifetime Research

P37.008 Smart Substations Engineering UCA Into Your Substation (052043)

2004 Research Focus is on Engineering UCA into Transmission Substations:

Future Year Deliverables

P37.009 Reclassification of Substation Relaying Current Transformers for Revenue

P37.010 Alternatives to Substation Lead-Acid Batteries for Station Operations and

Future Year Deliverables

Future Year Deliverables

P37.012 Solid-State Fault Current Limiter / Circuit Breaker Development (102105)

Completion Criteria and Duration:

Future Year Deliverables

P37.013 Ground Grid Evaluator (058564)

Future Year Deliverables

Project Set Overview

Marketing Lifetime Research

P37.014 Switching Safety and Reliability (052029)

PROJECT SET: PS37F Distribution Substations (058485)

Project Set Overview

Marketing Lifetime Research

P37.015 Application of Composite/Polymeric Materials Substations (052041)

State-of-the-Art Review: Application of Polymer/Composite Materials in Substations: In 2003, a state-of-the-art

Best Practices Guideline and Lessons Learned:

Future Year Deliverables

P37.016 Distribution Substation Inspection Tools and Techniques (056025)

Future Year Deliverables

S37.002 SUNBURST Geomagnetic Induced Current (GIC) Network

S37.003 A Knowledge Sharing Approach to Training

S37.004 Transformer Gassing Detection for Transmission Substations

S37.006 Power Transformer On-Line Monitoring and Loading Software

S37.007 Moisture Assessment and Ranking of Power Transformers

S37.008 Comparison of a New Technique for Power Factor Measurement at Rated

S37.009 Transformer Condition Assessment and Life Extension at Host Utility

S37.011 SF6 Leak Sealing Customized For Host Utility Conditions

S37.012 Architecture for Distribution Substation Automation

T&D Maintenance Optimization (EPRIsolutions service)

Real-Time System Condition Monitoring (EPRIsolutions service)

Substation Arrester and Insulator Reliability Assurance Program (EPRIsolutions service)