- Reclamation
- R&D
- Research Projects
- Power System Diagnostics
Power System Diagnostics
Project ID: 548
Principal Investigator: Eric Eastment
Research Topic: Improved Power Generation
Priority Area Assignments: 2011 (Climate Adaptation), 2012 (Climate Adaptation)
Funded Fiscal Years:
2011,
2012 and
2013
Keywords: None
Research Question
Power system diagnostics was formed to respond to demonstrated problems in the Bureau of Reclamation's (Reclamation) electrical facilities and research-oriented requests of staff at Reclamation power facilities. The broad focus is on improving equipment diagnostic methods and techniques and developing/innovating new methods to reduce maintenance costs and equipment downtime in the areas of high-voltage insulation, rotating machine protection, and maintenance testing and diagnostics. Each area plays a major role in determining cost and efficiency of operating Reclamations' hydroelectric facilities. Tasks are targeted to solve repetitive problems, address common Reclamation needs, broaden and diversify facility equipment maintenance expertise, and mitigate the impact and assist with the integration of renewable energy technologies with Reclamation's existing hydroelectric infrastructure. Tasks are also formulated based on extensive field diagnostics experience and interaction with facility engineers and crafts.
A separate supporting document will be submitted that details each of the research project questions/goals, research plan, product, timeline/milestones, and funding distribution (if multiyear project).
Need and Benefit
Reduction in facility operation and maintenance (O&M) costs and improved power system reliability requires new methods to diagnose abnormal equipment operation, address effects of aging and wear, and minimize costly downtime, which together form an evolving problem set. Much of this research will result in developing new test methods and equipment for field diagnostics of high-voltage rotating machines, power transformers, and associated high-voltage auxiliary equipment protection and controls, and monitoring devices. The study approach includes information gathering from existing industry practices, literature searches, and interaction with Reclamation field and Denver Office personnel, who are our stakeholders and beneficiaries. Surveys of plant operation (or misoperation) history will also be conducted. Some research will require high-power and high-voltage field testing, which will be conducted on generators at available Reclamation plants with in-kind service assistance-type partnerships and co-funding. Field test information will serve to increase our understanding of machine operating characteristics, leading to better O&M/repair practices, reduced costs, and avoided costs throughout Reclamation.
The program research goal is to improve the reliability and operational efficiency of Reclamation power facilities. Costs for transformer/generator failure range from $1 million to $50 million per incident.
With improved equipment testing methods, more reliable plant operation is possible with less downtime required for failure diagnostics or misoperation analysis. Resulting reduction in maintenance costs and lost revenue will contribute to improved plant operating efficiency. Machine parameter and electrical characteristics information from field testing data will be shared with technical peers and will benefit Reclamation-wide maintenance, operation, and protection of large generators and motors. On a regional scale, this information will also support better power system modeling for prevention of costly blackouts (regional and local).
Contributing Partners
Contact the Principal Investigator for information about partners.
Research Products
Please contact research@usbr.gov about research products related to this project.
