176 Ageing of The System. Impact On Planning

176
AGEING OF THE SYSTEM

IMPACT ON PLANNING
Working Group
37.27
December 2000
AGEING OF THE SYSTEM
IMPACT ON PLANNING
PREPARED BY
WORKING GROUP 37-27
Paul SMITH - Convenor - (Ireland)
The members of Working Group 37.27 were:
M. Ahmadi-Pour (Iran), K. Bakic (Slovenia), B. Bakka (Norway), G. Balzer (Germany), T. Davies (Canada), A.
Davriu (France), R. Gilbert (Northern Ireland), J. C. Hygebjerg (Denmark), C. Kelleher (Ireland), K. Kreβ
(Germany), L. Marketeg (Sweden), A. Nakazato (Brazil), A. Nourai (United States), J. Rimell (United
Kingdom), P. Smith (Ireland), B. Stirk (United Kingdom), L. Twardy (Poland), J. Williams (United States).
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION..............................................................................................................................3
2. STATISTICS ......................................................................................................................................6
2.1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................6

2.2 DATA COLLECTION ..........................................................................................................................6
2.3 OVERHEAD LINES AND UNDERGROUND CABLES .............................................................................8
2.4 SUBSTATIONS .................................................................................................................................12
3. AGEING AND ITS IMPACT ON THE SYSTEM........................................................................17
3.1 WHY IS AGEING AN ISSUE? .............................................................................................................17

3.2 DETERIORATION AND OBSOLESCENCE ...........................................................................................18
3.3 IMPACT OF AGEING ON EQUIPMENT ................................................................................................19
3.4 CONSEQUENCES OF AGEING...........................................................................................................21
4. STRATEGIES AND SOLUTIONS TO DEAL WITH AGEING ................................................24
4.1 INTRODUCTION ..............................................................................................................................24

4.2 STRATEGIES AND SOLUTIONS.........................................................................................................24
4.3 EXAMPLES OF STRATEGIES AND SOLUTIONS...................................................................................26
5. CHOICE OF STRATEGY ..............................................................................................................28
5.1 INTRODUCTION ..............................................................................................................................28

5.1 PROCESS DESCRIPTION ...................................................................................................................29
5.2 AGEING AND ASSET MANAGEMENT ................................................................................................30
5.3 DEVELOPMENT AND ASSESSMENT OF STRATEGIC OPTIONS ............................................................31
5.4 COMMUNICATION BETWEEN ASSET MANAGERS AND SYSTEM PLANNERS .....................................32
5.5 IMPLEMENTATION AND TIMING ......................................................................................................33
5.6 KEY INFLUENCES: ..........................................................................................................................36
5.7 JOINT WORKING GROUP 23/39 SURVEY .........................................................................................39
6. CONCLUSIONS ..............................................................................................................................40
Ageing of the System – Impact on Planning CIGRÉ WG 37-27

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APPENDICES
Appendix 1. Relevant CIGRÉ Activities
Appendix 2. Terms of Reference
Appendix 3. Additional Statistical Information
Appendix 4. Case Studies
Appendix 5. Example of RCM Approach to Refurbishment
Appendix 6. Design to Facilitate Maintenance and Refurbishment
Appendix 7. Asset Replacement Planner

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1. INTRODUCTION
In the past, the driving force for system modernisation has been load growth: equipment
was replaced because its rating or characteristics were no longer compatible with the
changing requirements due to steady and considerable load growth. Nowadays, in the
low growth environment that prevails in many countries, many assets are rated
sufficiently to fulfil their roles in electricity transmission up to the expiry of their
lifetimes. Furthermore, the very large groups of assets installed during high growth
periods are all likely to reach the end of their lives at about the same time.
In this context, CIGRÉ Working Group 37-27 was established with the following scope
of work:
• Describe the age of equipment in different systems and different types of locations.
• Identify and where possible quantify system problems due to ageing.
• Identify equipment types subject to deterioration due to ageing and equipment types
subject to technical obsolescence.
• Consider the range of options available to deal with ageing equipment in the system.
• Formulate guidelines for selecting the appropriate option.
The Working Group’s full Terms of Reference are given in Appendix 2.
This report summarises the work of WG 37-27 that successfully accomplished the scope
originally proposed. The statistics presented (Section 2) in this report show that many
companies and countries have significant blocks of network assets that will approach the
ends of their estimated lives in the coming years. The report (Section 3) indicates some
of the possible consequences of ageing on the system. The scale of the problem of
ageing assets facing many companies in the coming years requires the selection of one
or more overall strategies, rather than addressing the issue on a case by case basis. A set
of alternative generic strategies is presented (Section 4). A process is proposed for the
selection of an appropriate strategy and identification of the factors that may dictate the
eventual choice of strategy (Section 5).
This report does not cover details of total life management of equipment, specific life
extension methods, etc. These issues have been and continue to be addressed by the
relevant CIGRÉ study committees. Some of the relevant CIGRÉ activities are listed in
Appendix 1.
The age profile for transmission equipment shows the growth in systems at 110 kV and
above during the 1950’s and continuing throughout the 1960’s, gradually falling to
today’s investment levels, which again approximate to those of the late 1950’s. Based
on the information presented in this report, the population peak will enter the window of

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lifetime estimates over the next 10 years for almost all types of major equipment. This
will undoubtedly have a major impact on planning, requiring careful consideration of the
strategy required to tackle the growing population that is potentially nearing the end of
useful life.
The prediction of end of useful life estimates is a formidable task and depends on many
factors including climatic and environmental conditions, material quality, system
loading conditions, maintenance practices, mechanical wear, spares obsolescence, safety
concerns, system changes, poor reliability, and loss of skilled maintenance and repair
personnel. Despite these difficulties, companies must attempt to estimate the remaining
useful life of equipment. Sometime approaching the anticipated end of useful life of a
transmission asset or group of assets, decisions have to be made on economic or
reliability grounds as to the correct strategy for managing a particular asset or group of
assets.
Five broad strategies to deal with ageing transmission equipment have been identified in
this report. These are:
• Renewal by refurbishment: some components of an asset are replaced to bring the
asset to an as-new condition
• Renewal by replacement: all components are replaced i.e. like-for-like replacement
of the asset.
• Upgrading or renewal: the ageing assets are replaced or refurbished to a standard
which provides an enhanced asset
• Network redesign: the opportunity is taken to implement a redesign (and hence an
enhancement) of the system.
• Life-extension or deferral: increased maintenance and/or monitoring of existing
equipment until other strategies can be implemented.
The timing of asset strategies is also critical, as replacing assets too early will result in a
waste of money and asset life. Replacing assets too late will result in poor reliability
and an increase in associated costs. A structured approach to deal with replacement of
aged assets is thus required to optimise time of replacement. Prioritisation is proposed
on the basis of a reliability-centred asset management strategy. This approach involves
combining the aspects of equipment condition and equipment importance together for an
overall ranking criticality.
Overall, the impact of ageing of the system on planning may be summarised as:
• The impact on system performance due either to failure of aged equipment or to the
impact of replacement or refurbishment work on system performance;
• The need to include a replacement and refurbishment plan in system development
plans;
• The need to provide resources, financial, manpower and expertise;
• Ageing offers opportunities for upgrading, modernising and reconfiguring the
system to suit future needs.

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The members of Working Group 37-27 were:
Mahmoud Ahmadi-Pour Moshanir Iran
Kresimir Bakic Electroinstitute “Milan Vidmar” Slovenia
Bente Bakka Statnett Norway
Gerd Balzer University of Technology, Darmstadt Germany
Tim Davies Ontario Hydro Services Company Canada
Alain Davriu Electricité de France France
Randal Gilbert Northern Ireland Electricity Northern Ireland
Jens Christian Hygebjerg Eltra Denmark
Christy Kelleher ESB National Grid Ireland
Klaus Kreß Alstom Energietechnik * Germany
Lars Marketeg Svenska Kraftnät Sweden
Adriana Nakazato FURNAS Brazil
Ali Nourai American Electric Power USA
John Rimell Eastern Electricity § United Kingdom
Paul Smith ESB National Grid Ireland
Brian Stirk National Grid Company United Kingdom
Lucjan Twardy Polish Power Grid Corporation Poland
Jeff Williams Duke Energy USA
*
Now with VDE Test and Certification Institute
§
Now retired

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2. STATISTICS
2.1 Introduction
Ageing is an issue because all assets within an electricity network are subject to ageing
and wear-out during their service life. Indeed, each asset has its own individual useful
lifetime, but for simplification, utilities commonly apply generic lifetime figures to
groups of similar assets with similar individual asset duties or operating regimes.
2.2 Data Collection

Statistics describing the ages and anticipated asset lives of equipment in systems at
110 kV or above were collected from the 13 countries represented in Working Group
37-27. The data collected covers over 180,000 circuit-kilometres of overhead lines and
over 300,000 substation assets. The data collected covered the following categories of
transmission assets:
Overhead lines, conductors, towers and poles
Cables
Circuit breakers
Switchgear bay equipment
Transformers
Gas insulated switchgear
Protection
Reactive compensation.
Details of asset populations for each category were collected in 5-year age bands. The
age distributions for the most significant plant types are plotted as histograms in
Figs. 2.1, 2.2 and 2.4 to 2.12. Plant items for which the populations represented by the
survey responses are small, such as submarine cables, reactive compensation equipment
etc., and plant items which were all far from approaching end-of-life, such as AAAC
conductor, are not detailed in this section. More detailed results from the data collection
are given in Appendix 3.
WG members also provided estimates of anticipated mean asset lives for each category
of asset, together with the basis for the estimates. The means of the anticipated mean
lifetime estimates for all major plant types are shown in Table 2.1. These, along with
their standard deviations, are derived from the mean asset lives companies have assigned
for equipment in their systems.

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Table 2.1 – Asset Lives and Variances
Plant Type System Mean and Range Standard Reason for Asset Life Variances
Voltage of Asset Life Deviation
(kV) Estimates (Years)
(Years)
Circuit Breakers
Air 110-199 41 (30 to 50) 6 Rating requirements, fault duty changes, maintenance
200-275 41 (30 to 50) 6 costs, spares obsolescence, mechanical wear, safety,
≥345 40 (30 to 50) 6 seal problems
Oil 110-199 42 (30 to 50) 6 Rating requirements, fault duty changes, maintenance
≥345 38 (30 to 45) 5 seal problems
Gas 110-199 43 (30 to 50) 6 Rating requirements, fault duty changes, maintenance
≥345 42 (30 to 50) 6 seal problems, seen as “less robust”, environmental
concern re SF6
Bay Assets
Earth switches
& disconnectors ≥110 42 (30 to 50) 8 Rating requirements, maintenance costs, corrosion,
mechanical wear
CTs – Oil ≥110 39 (30 to 50) 7 Design weaknesses, seals
CVT’s ≥110 39 (30 to 50) 7 Moisture ingress, PCB contamination of oil
Transformers ≥110 42 (32 to 55) 8 Design, loading, insulating paper & oil degradation,
system faults, spares, rating requirements, high
temperature, moisture levels
Indoor GIS ≥110 42 (30 to 50) 8 Rating requirements/fault duty changes/

Maintenance costs/spares obsolescence/
Mechanical wear/safety/seal problems
Environmental concern re SF6
Electro- - 32 (20 to 45) 9 Wear, contact erosion, reliability, verdigris,

mechanical temperature extremes, skilled labour, spares,
protection functionality, system design changes
ACSR-OHL
“Normal” ≥110 54 (40 to 80) 14 Climate, environment, corrosion, conductor grease
environment levels, creep, mechanical fatigue, insulator failures,
wind, precipitation, ice loading, pollution levels,
“Heavily ≥110 46 (30 to 70) 15 material quality, high temperatures due to loading,
polluted” joints, design
Towers
Steel lattice ≥110 63 (35 to 100) 21 Climate, environment, corrosion, maintenance, poor
galvanising, ground conditions, concrete spalling,
grillage corrosion, steel/concrete junction
Wood Poles ≥110 44 (40 to 50) 4 Preservation treatment, rot, woodpeckers, insects,
wind, precipitation
Cables ≥110 51 (30 to 85) 20 Environmental concerns (oil leaks), backfill, sheath (oil
Oil Filled reinforcing tape) corrosion,
electrical/thermomechanical stress, loading, crystalline
lead sheath

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Several companies referred to instances where estimates of the remaining life of assets
had to be revised following the discovery of previously unidentified life limiting factors.
The estimates of asset life are plotted with the age distribution histograms as windows
delimited by vertical bars. The windows are centred on the mean estimate and with a
window width equivalent to +/- 1 standard deviation. With the passage of time, the age
distributions will move towards the right, while the lifetime windows remain static. The
figures thus illustrate when the lifetimes of the main groups of transmission assets will
begin to expire.
2.3 Overhead Lines and Underground Cables

70000
Range of Asset
60000 Life Estimates
Circuit km/Population
50000
40000
30000
20000
10000
0
0-5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75
Age in 1998 (Years)
Towers Wood Poles OHL - ACSR
Fig. 2.1 Age Distribution of Overhead Lines

The age profile of all overhead lines (Fig. 2.1) shows that a significant population of
overhead lines constructed in the late 1930’s / early 1940’s is still in operation, with the
peak construction period being the 1960’s. The anticipated mean asset lives range from
44 years for wood poles to 63 years for steel towers, with ACSR conductor between these
extremes. Some overhead lines have already reached or exceeded their anticipated lives,
indicating that renewal or life extension strategies are being pursued actively. Fig. 2.1
also shows that the population peak will enter the window of lifetime estimates over the
next 10 years. Owners and operators will need to develop appropriate strategies before
then.
2.3.1. Aluminium Conductor Steel Reinforced (ACSR):

The age distribution for fully greased Aluminium Conductor Steel Reinforced (ACSR) in
a "normal" environment is shown in Fig. 2.2. The estimates of anticipated life have a
mean of 54 years and standard deviation of 14 years. For heavily polluted conditions the
mean estimate is 46 years (standard deviation 15 years).
Only 6% of the population has exceeded the mean life of 54 years, but 20% is currently

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within the mean asset life window and 42% will be over 40 years old in the next 10 years.
Mean and Standard Deviation
of Asset Life Estimates
30000
25000
Circuit km
20000
15000
10000
5000
0
0 to 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90
5
Age in 1998 (years)
Fig. 2.2 Age Distribution and Life Estimates for ACSR

The variation in lifetime estimates is due to different climatic and environmental
conditions, rate of corrosion, conductor grease levels, material quality and loading
conditions. As pollution, wind and adverse climatic conditions increase, so the
anticipated life falls to 46 years (standard deviation 15 years). The reduction in life
expectancy depends on the specified and actual level of conductor greasing, conductor
bundle configuration, pollution level, ice loading, material quality, joint design. Analysis
of climatic conditions using the Köppens classification system (see panel) in conjunction
with the life expectancy data shows that anticipated mean life increases as the climate
moves from hot/wet to cold/wet (Fig. 2.3).
80
70
Mean Asset Life (Years)
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Bsh Csb Cfa Cfb Dfb
Hot/Wet CLIMATE Cold/Wet
Fig. 2.3 Anticipated Life for ACSR in Different Climates (Köppens Classification)

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The Köppens Climate Classification System
The Köppens climate classification system was developed in the early 1900’s, and recognises 5
major climatic regions in the world, from A, tropical rainy climates to E, polar climates, which are
further subdivided on the basis of rainfall, temperature. Countries in this report fall into the
classifications shown in the following table.
Köppens Description Dry Season Temperature
Classification
Bsh: Semi-arid hot climate All year Mean annual >18 Deg C
Csb: Mid –latitude climate dry summer Mean of hottest month <22 Deg C
Cfa: Mid –latitude climate no dry season Mean of hottest month >22 Deg C
Cfb: Mid –latitude climate no dry season Mean of hottest month <22 Deg C
Dfb: Moist, severe winter no dry season Mean of coldest month <-3 Deg C
Conductor corrosion and fitting wear are the main ageing mechanisms that impact on
ACSR conductor, rather than technological obsolescence, though replacement offers the
opportunity to utilise the latest advances and often enables a higher technical rating to be
achieved with the same supporting structures.
2.3.2. Steel Lattice Towers

For steel lattice towers (Fig. 2.4), the mean estimate of life is 63 years (standard deviation
21 years). As with ACSR, the variation in estimates is due to different climatic and
environmental conditions, maintenance practices and quality of galvanising and
subsequent painting regimes. Ground conditions and erection practices affect the life of
foundations.
30000
25000
Population
20000
15000
10000
5000
0
0 to 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95
5
Age in 1998 (years)
Fig. 2.4 Age Distribution and Life Estimates for Lattice Steel Towers

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The statistics show that 8% of the population was constructed over 55 years ago and 25%
now falls within the mean asset life window. However, the population peak is still some
40 years from the mean life, allowing time to consider replacement strategies.
Corrosion is the main ageing mechanism leading to end of life for steel towers. Normally
the conductor will be replaced before the towers reach their end of life. The suitability of
the towers for the new conductor must be assessed before replacement.
2.3.3. Wood Poles

For wood poles (Fig. 2.5) the mean lifetime estimate is 44 years with a standard deviation
of 4 years. However, there is considerable variation of individual pole lifetimes. Many
poles with ages greater than the mean lifetime estimates are still in service. Lifetime
depends on preservation treatment, rot, woodpeckers, insects, wind, precipitation.
Broadly 38% of the population will be older than 40 years in the next 5 years and there
will be a need to focus on the potential impact of this.
16000
14000
12000
Population
10000
8000
6000
4000
2000
0
0 to 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60
Age in 1998 (years)
Fig. 2.5 Age Distribution and Life Estimates for Wood Poles
Deterioration due to the ageing effects of environment and attack from woodpeckers
apply to this plant type rather than technical obsolescence, as the long service history
proves.
2.3.4. Oil Filled Cables

The highest installation rate for cables was in the 1960’s with only 5% older than 45
years, but 1% is actually over 60 years old. (Fig. 2.6) The anticipated mean asset life of
51 years (standard deviaiton 20 years) has variances due to ageing of the pressure
retaining systems, including sheath failure due to reinforcing tape corrosion, thermo-
mechanical stresses/design and thermal properties of the backfill.

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600
500
Circuit km
400
300
200
100
0
0 to 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85
Age in 1998 (years)
Fig. 2.6 Age Distribution and Life Estimates for Underground Cables
Concerns about the impact of oil leaks on the environment also raise the profile of this
group as well as the high replacement costs involved. 36% of the cables are now within
the mean asset life window but the end of life scenarios are varied enough to distribute the
replacement impact over a significant period.
Technical obsolescence can render some cable systems redundant, particularly small
populations of old gas filled designs, but for oil filled cables, the ageing effects of
reinforcing tape and sheath corrosion, or electrical and mechanical stresses are the
dominant end of life scenarios.
2.4 Substations
10000
Range of Asset
9000 Life Estimates
8000
7000
Population
6000
5000
4000
3000
2000
1000
0
0-5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65
Age in 1998 (Years)
Gas CB Oil CB Air CB Bay Assets
Transformers Indoor GIS E/mech Prot
Fig. 2.7 Age Distribution for Substations

The age profile for substations (Fig. 2.7) shows the growth in systems at 110 kV and
above during the 1950’s and continuing throughout the 1960’s, gradually falling to

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today’s investment levels, which again approximate to those of the late 1950’s.
Developing technologies of air, oil and gas circuit breakers can be seen over this period at
all voltage levels. The mean asset lives for the plant lie within 38 to 43 years (apart from
electromechanical protection) and this highlights that over the next 10 years the
population peak will have entered this window, and the impact on planning will be
significant.
2.4.1. Circuit Breakers:

1600
1400
1200
Population
1000
800
600
400
200
0
0 to 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60
Gas CB Oil CB Air CB Age in 1998 (years)
Fig. 2.8 Age Distribution and Life Estimates for Circuit Breakers
A life expectancy of 41 years (standard deviation 6 years) is anticipated for the whole
population of circuit breakers, with only a slight life increase between early air technology
and the latest SF6 gas technology (Fig 2.8). Variances in asset lives are a result of
variations in mechanical wear, maintenance costs, problems with spares obsolescence and
potential safety concerns. System rating or fault duty requirements can also result in
variations in replacement requirements. Life extension has been undertaken on a small
population of assets with 3% in the 45 – 60 year age bands.
Circuit breakers are subject to deterioration due to ageing mechanisms, such as seal
deterioration, component breakdown etc. as well as technical obsolescence, as a result of
advancing technology or the inability to satisfy developing system requirements.
2.4.2. Switchgear Bay Assets

Fig. 2.9 shows that Disconnectors, Earth Switches, Current Transformers (Oil) and
Capacitor Voltage Transformers have a combined mean life expectancy of 40 years
(standard deviation 7 years). Approaching 30% of the population falls within the mean
asset life window of this group and whilst ageing is of growing importance, this plant

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group would not be the lead plant group with respect of addressing the effects of ageing
but they would be taken into account with other assets. A steady percentage of the
population has been added each year for the last 20 years though this will be expected to
rise significantly over the next 10 years given that the population peak will reach life
expectancy by then.
6000
5000
Population
4000
3000
2000
1000
0
0 to 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65
5 Age in 1998 (years)
Fig. 2.9 Age Distribution and Life Estimates for Bay Equipment
(CT’s, VT’s, Disconnects, Earth Switches)
Ageing is the main driver leading to direct replacement of this plant type, with insulation
deterioration, seal deterioration, and corrosion taking effect, though a large population are
replaced as a consequence of strategies employed to deal with other plant types.
2.4.3. Transformers
The age distribution for transformers (Fig. 2.10) shows that 4% of the population is in the
50 – 80 year old age band, 20% of the population is in or beyond the anticipated mean
asset life window, (i.e. over 35 years old) and in the next 10 years over 50% of the
population will be within the asset life window. Variation about the mean anticipated life
of 42 years (standard deviation 8 years) is mainly attributable to the design and service
regime the transformer has been exposed to. Ageing of transformers will undoubtedly
have a major impact on planning, requiring careful consideration of the strategy required
to tackle the growing population potentially nearing end of life.
Whilst transformers are subject to ageing processes, and technical advances with respect
to lower losses etc. lead to improved designs, the main drivers leading to replacement are
severe operating conditions, resultant insulation breakdown, initial design or inadequate
system rating.

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1600
1400
1200
Population
1000
800
600
400
200
0
0 to 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90
5
Age in 1998 (Years)
Fig. 2.10 Age Distribution and Life Estimates for Transformers
2.4.4. Indoor Gas Insulated Substations

Fig. 2.11 shows that the oldest installation in this plant group is some 10 years from
reaching its mean anticipated life, the main importance of the statistics is to show the fact
that no company has experience of end of life for GIS. The reason for life predictions are
similar to gas circuit breakers with a modest anticipated increase in life over old
technologies, but a hope of better system performance.
300
250
200
Population
150
100
50
0
0 to 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65
Age in 1998 (years)
Fig. 2.11 Age Distribution and Life Estimates for GIS

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2.4.5. Electromechanical Protection, Control and Intertripping
Fig 2.12 shows that 63% of the population of electromechanical protection, control and
intertripping equipment is over 25 years old and into the mean asset life window of 32
years (standard deviation 9 years). Replacement technologies of static and latterly
numerical (digital) protections have a shorter anticipated life, as with other electronic
components, but individual component or software changes are anticipated to alleviate the
system effects, with the electromechanical class having the more immediate planning
impact. However poor performance by some solid state protections approaching their end
of life are already being assigned a higher replacement priority than electromechanical
relays.
Mean and Standard Deviation of
Asset Life Estimates
1400
1200
Population
1000
800
600
400
200
0
0 to 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60
Age in 1998 (years)
Fig. 2.12 Age Distribution and Life Estimates for Electro-Mechanical Protection
Electromechanical control and protection equipment is subject to deterioration as a result

of electrical and mechanical stress, with obsolescence due to lack of spare parts and
skilled maintenance and repair personnel playing a leading role as replacement drivers.

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3. AGEING AND ITS IMPACT ON THE
SYSTEM
3.1 Why is ageing an issue?

Sometime approaching the end of useful life of a transmission asset or group of
assets, decisions have to be made on economic or reliability grounds as to the correct
strategy for managing a particular asset or group of assets. The correct strategy must
take account of equipment, system and corporate considerations. Indeed the ageing of
particular assets or groups of assets may present an opportunity for the planners to
either re-design the system or alternatively may complement system requirement
related decisions.
Equipment considerations include safety and environmental concerns, the risk of
impaired performance and increased operation and maintenance costs. System
considerations include the risk of reduced reliability (including operating with
reduced security and an increased risk of interruption of supply), reduced quality of
supply and the impact of the outages required for refurbishment or renewal.
The timing of asset replacement decisions is also critical, as replacing assets too early
will result in a waste of money and asset life. Replacing assets too late will result in
poor reliability and an increase in associated costs. A structured approach to deal
with replacement of aged assets is thus required to optimise time of replacement.
Installation Replacement
40
50
60
70
80
90
00
10
20
30
40
50
19
19
19
19
19
19
20
20
20
20
20
20
Fig. 3.1 Installation and Replacement Distributions

(Substation Equipment)
As the age profiles in Section 2 show, in most classes of equipment there is a “bow

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wave” of replacement approaching which must be addressed over the next few years.
Fig 3.1 shows the replacement profile that might be required based on the substation
equipment age profiles of Fig. 2.7. The actual life of each piece of equipment is
uncertain, raising issues for asset managers. System planners must be involved in
good time in developing strategies in relation to equipment approaching the end of its
useful life. Financial planners and industry regulators must address the financial
burden represented by the replacement profiles. The volume of asset replacement or
life extension work will influence resources and skills planning.
Interestingly, 93% of companies surveyed recently by CIGRÉ Joint Working Group
23/39 Maintenance and Reliability had replaced less than 10% of their system
equipment (lines, cables and substations) and 70% have replaced less than 5%. This
highlights the problem now facing planners and asset managers in determining the
correct long-term policy.
It may be possible by selective early replacement on the one hand and life extension
on the other hand to smooth the asset replacement profile. Assessment of asset
condition and system risk have been used to modify age profiles and thus replacement
decisions in an attempt to smooth the replacement profile and address the problem of
this approaching bow wave. This is discussed further in Section 5.7.
3.2 Deterioration and Obsolescence

The equipment in electric transmission systems may age due to deterioration,
technological obsolescence or both.
3.2.1. Deterioration
Deterioration is the process whereby a material degrades to a point where it is no
longer able to satisfactorily comply with its original specification as determined by
the operator. The nature and extent of deterioration of a particular piece of equipment
will depend on the manner of the deterioration process for that equipment. In general
the rate of deterioration may depend on the passage of time, on the usage (loading,
number of operations) of the equipment, or on the maintenance history of the
equipment.
Deterioration processes related to corrosion, for example, are largely dependent on the
passage of time and on maintenance. Loading, leading to increased temperatures can
accelerate corrosion processes.
Deterioration processes related to internal insulation are more likely to depend on
operating temperature and are therefore related to the usage of the equipment.
For some deterioration processes, correct maintenance should reduce the rate of
deterioration. For example, paint, provided it is correctly applied before any
corrosion, should protect equipment from corrosion.

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3.2.2. Obsolescence
A common problem faced by utilities with ageing assets is that of obsolescence. As
time increases since an item of equipment was last produced, so the availability of
spare parts decreases. The ability of manufacturers to support older items of
equipment is diminishing. Where spares do exist, they are becoming expensive. In
addition, as time progresses, the maintenance resource and the skill associated with
the older plant is diminishing.
The support of these obsolete items relies heavily on a detailed knowledge of the plant
by expertise within the organisation or alternatively, out-sourced by the organisation.
Where spares are not available, they may be able to be manufactured. This has
implications however, for equipment and spares type approvals and can ultimately
affect equipment performance. There is a risk that reverse-engineered spares may not
fulfil the performance requirements of their original predecessors. Inevitably, obsolete
equipment must be replaced and the decision to replace can be supported where one
or more of the following consequences accompanies obsolescence.
3.3 Impact of ageing on equipment
3.3.1. Overhead Lines

The most adverse result of ageing of transmission overhead lines is corrosion.
Corrosion can affect conductors, fittings, structures and foundations. The amount of
corrosion depends mainly on environmental conditions - ambient temperature,
precipitation, pollution and mechanical forces due to wind or ice and the time during
which the lines have experienced these conditions.
With regard to conductors, core greased conductors and ungreased conductors suffer
much more from internal corrosion problems than fully greased ones. Internal
corrosion is one cause of mechanical rupture and falling conductors.
With regard to towers, corrosion can reach buried as well as exposed components.
Provided that suitable maintenance is carried out, there is generally little need for
wholesale replacement. Conversely, ageing causes general wear and deterioration in
the condition of fittings as well as the steel tower itself.
It should be noted that, unlike insulators hardware and other accessories, conductors
and towers cannot easily be replaced.
Conductor corrosion and fitting wear are the main ageing mechanisms that impact on
this plant type, rather than technological obsolescence, though replacement offers the
opportunity to utilise the latest advances and often enables a higher technical rating to
be achieved with the same supporting structures.

- 19 -
3.3.2. Underground Cables
The most common effect of ageing of cables is deterioration of cable insulation.
Deterioration of insulation mainly depends on three factors :
• Lack of maintenance: as far as pressurised fluid-filled cables (oil, gas) are
concerned, no deterioration of the insulation is generally experienced provided the
fluid pressure is correctly maintained.
• Time: corrosion of the cable sheath its reinforcing tapes or changes in the
crystalline structure of the lead cable sheath are the main ageing factors affecting
these kind of cables. Sheath corrosion can result in an increasing incidence of
leaks of the insulating fluid. Apart from the impact on the operation and
maintenance of the cable, oil leaks are becoming increasingly unacceptable on
environmental grounds.
• Usage: excessive loading combined with harsh environmental conditions may
cause an increase in the loss factor of the insulation material. Failures may occur
due to overheating as a result of increased losses inside the cable insulation.
3.3.3. Transformers and reactors

Transformer ageing is related both to ageing of the insulating system and ageing of
the tank, bushings and associated equipment.
The ageing process of the insulating system is highly dependant on the usage history
of the transformer, particularly on the thermal stresses due to overloads and voltage
and current surges. Degeneration of cellulose insulation material (paper and
cardboard) is therefore the most adverse result. The main consequence of this
degeneration is the risk of mechanical failure. High temperatures are also responsible
for transformer oil decomposition and a degradation of insulating performances.
Tanks are affected by corrosion. This process is related to time, and to maintenance
history. Ageing of bushings by thermal stress depends on the loading of the
transformer. These processes may lead to mechanical failure.
Besides deterioration of equipment, the other impact of ageing on transformers is the
obsolescence of some critical devices such as tap-changers that is generally
experienced through limited availability of spares.
3.3.4. Switchgear
Switchgear ageing results in two major problems: mechanical deterioration and
insulation problems. Mechanical deterioration of contacts and movable parts is
strongly related to their usage history: number of operations and current flow. The
main consequence is not only overheating of the parts concerned, but also changes in
operating times.
Insulation problems increase with time and the most common problem is the perishing
of seals and gaskets that leads to leakage of SF6 insulating gas. Oil circuit breakers
suffer from water ingress and air leaks.

- 20 -
Obsolescence of some designs that may require early replacement due to complexity
and poor reliability in operation is another important ageing factor.
In addition, it should be noted that open-air switchgear, concrete foundations and
concrete supports deteriorate with time. The rate of deterioration depends on the
environmental conditions.
Similar considerations apply to the ageing of other substation equipment, such as
disconnects and instrument transformers.
3.3.5. Protection and local control

The main problem of ageing protection systems with electro-mechanical components
result from deteriorating performance as they approach the end of their lives. They
are obsolete systems, no longer manufactured and not supported by manufacturers.
There is also a scarcity of skilled personnel or spares to adequately maintain, trouble-
shoot, and repair such systems compared to modern systems with solid-state
components. Besides technical obsolescence of equipment, contact erosion and wear
on moving parts are the results of usage history.
With regard to micro electronic components, thermal stresses are expected to be a
long term factor in the ageing of control systems.
3.4 Consequences of Ageing
3.1.1 Reliability
Falling reliability is a major consequence of the ageing process. The familiar bathtub
curve suggests that as assets age, their failure rates generally increase. For asset
managers and planners, the key is to try to pre-empt the onset of these age-related
failures and make the appropriate decisions to deal with them. Failure to deal
effectively with future age-related failures can lead to a gradual decline in reliability
and increase in operation and maintenance costs.
Increased unreliability leads to an increase in revenue expenditure to deal with the age
related failure modes. In addition, unreliability leads to a non-optimal use of the
system and can further lead to the cancellation of planned work to enable work on
faults. This non-optimal use of system puts increased operational pressure on affected
assets thus leading to their increased unreliability. With increased unreliability comes
a decrease in plant availability. This places constraints on the system, which affects
system security, availability for outages to effect asset replacements and new
connections. This ultimately increases risk of disruption to the end customer.
The issue of the timing of and availability to effect asset replacement can be a
dilemma for system planners and asset managers. A decision to delay asset
replacement or alternatively an attempt to recover by increasing asset replacement at a
later stage, can ultimately lead to lower availability and further fault outages. This is
illustrated by the ‘spiral of decline’ shown in Fig. 3.2.

- 21 -
Delayed
leads replacement leads
to to
even more Attempt to by more in

loss of recover service
faults supply
more
replacement faults
leads CONTINUALLY
leads to leads
FALLING
to AVAILABILITY AND
to leads
more double
circuit events RELIABILITY lower
to
cancelled leads availability
planned to still in a
period of whilst longer
work high unreliability repair outages
leads
to lower leads
availability to
Fig. 3.2 The Spiral of Decline
3.4.1. Performance
On certain assets, an increase in age can lead to inefficiencies in operation. This can
affect its loading capability and in some cases lead to downrating. The loss of
performance can influence the decision on whether to replace or refurbish the assets
particularly if additionally influenced by system requirements. In today’s operating
regime with increased regulatory pressures to obtain the maximum from the assets,
performance is a key issue to the decision process.
3.4.2. Compliance
The issue of compliance is an important one especially where asset replacement is
concerned. As time progresses, changes in legislation and technical standards can
render some assets outside these requirements. Assets which do not comply with
legislation are obvious candidates for asset replacement. Some companies may be
able to determine to what degree they wish to apply changes to equipment standards,
which are dynamic by nature, retrospectively. Developments in environmental and
safety standards and legislation are increasingly influencing the decisions on dealing
with aged equipment.
3.4.3. Environmental
Increased awareness and developments in legislation relating to a range of
environmental issues such as pollution, visual impact, waste, SF6 gas, electric and

- 22 -
magnetic fields etc., influence the decisions relating to aged assets. When many assets
were first designed and installed, these issues were less important than they are today.
The decision to retain assets, which are affected by these environmental issues,
usually involves some retrospective actions to be taken to achieve compliance. This
costs money and therefore replacement versus refurbishment decisions must be made.

- 23 -
4. STRATEGIES AND SOLUTIONS TO
DEAL WITH AGEING
4.1 Introduction
In the preceding sections we have introduced the problem of ageing and the problems that
ageing poses for transmission systems. In this section we begin the consideration of strategies
to meet the challenges of ageing.
A strategy or solution may be developed and implemented at one of a number of levels:
• It may be applied to a network as a whole
• It may relate to particular assets
• It may relate to individual components only
The distinction between “asset” and “component” is not absolute, but depends on the context,
as shown in Table 4.1.
Table 4.1. Assets and components
Asset Examples of components
Overhead line Foundation, tower, conductor etc.
Main power cable Sealing ends, pressure system etc.
Power transformer Fan, cooling, bushings, tap changer etc.
Substation Bay
Bay Circuit breaker, disconnect, CT, VT, earthing switch,
surge arrestors, foundations, structures
Circuit breaker Contacts, seals, drive mechanism
Control and protection Relays, cabling, SCADA
4.2 Strategies and Solutions

The strategies and solutions to deal with ageing may be classified either from a system
perspective or from a plant perspective. Solutions that appear the same to the System Planner
and Operator may appear quite different from the Asset Manager’s perspective. The System
Planner or Operator is interested in the functionality available after the solution is
implemented, whereas the plant-oriented engineer or manager is more concerned with how

- 24 -
the functionality is achieved. The system-wide strategies and individual solutions as seen
from the different perspectives would then be as shown in Table 4.2.
Table 4.2 System Strategies / Individual Solutions

System Operation/ Plant Perspective
Planning Perspective
Renew circuit or plant Replace assets with equivalent assets.
(Circuit level action) Refurbish assets by replacing some
components to restore to ”as new” condition.
Upgrade circuit or plant Replace assets with new enhanced assets.
(Circuit level action) Refurbish assets by replacing some
components to achieve enhanced assets.
Redesign network New scheme or concept
(System level action) New route
New voltage level
Retire
Renewal by replacement means that all components of the asset are replaced. The
network is unchanged. In most cases the opportunity will be used to achieve some
form of Upgrading (See below).
Renewal by refurbishment means that some components of the asset are replaced to
restore the asset to “as new” condition. The network is unchanged. As with renewal
by replacement, the opportunity will often be used to achieve some upgrading.
Upgrading or renewal is an action taken at the circuit level. The network is enhanced
in some way, e.g. by increasing the current-carrying capacity.
Re-design network is a system level action. This could involve a complete re-
configuring of a part of the network such as the gradual planned elimination of a
voltage level, or could be more localised, such as the re-configuring of a substation.
As an alternative to implementing one of the above strategies, deferral or life-extension
techniques may be used to postpone a decision until the company is ready to select a longer-
term strategy. Examples of deferral techniques are shown in Table 4.3.
Table 4.3. Deferral techniques
System Operation/ Plant Perspective
Planning Perspective
Life extension Increased maintenance.
Increased monitoring.
”Wait and see”.
Action when breakdown occurs.

- 25 -
Before adopting a life extension strategy, a company would need to assess the associated cost
and resource implications, and also the associated risks, including the risk of failing to deliver
the planned life extension due to the appearance of an unanticipated failure mode. (For
example, there have been instances where, during work associated with life extension of an
overhead line by replacement of fittings etc., previously undetected conductor corrosion has
been discovered.)
4.3 Examples of strategies and solutions

Some examples of system-wide strategies are given in Table 4.4
Table 4.4. Examples of system-wide strategies
Strategy
System Plant Example
Perspective Perspective
Renew Refurbish In Ireland, ESB is renewing 110 kV lines, replacing poles and
fittings, but not the conductor. (Case 8)
Upgrade Replace with Replacement of glass insulator strings with composite in many
new, enhanced countries.
equipment
Upgrade Replace with Replacement of electro-mechanical relays with modern numerical
new, enhanced relays in almost all countries.
equipment
Redesign New Scheme / In Denmark, Eltra and the regional transmission companies in
Concept Jutland are implementing a 20-year programme to replace some
existing 150 kV lines with new combined 400 kV and 150 kV lines
on new rights of way. (Case 2)
Table 4.5 gives some examples of individual solutions to the problems posed by the ageing of
particular plant items. Such individual solutions must of course be part of or be consistent
with an overall strategy.

- 26 -
Table 4.5. Examples of individual solutions
Solution
System Plant Example
Perspective Perspective
Renew Replace In the UK the National Grid Company plans to replace an aged
transformer with a new transformer with the same rating. (Case 4)
Upgrade Refurbish with In the UK the National Grid Company plans to refurbish a 275 kV
enhancement line, replacing the existing ACSR conductor with larger AAAC
conductor. (Case 3)
Redesign Retire In the United States, a utility is retiring two circuit breakers and re-
configuring a substation to deliver satisfactory performance
without the retired circuit breakers. (Case 16)
Further details of these case studies are given in Appendix 4.

- 27 -
5. CHOICE OF STRATEGY
5.1 Introduction
The statistics presented in Section 2 of this report show that many companies and countries
have significant blocks of network assets that will approach the ends of their estimated
lives in the coming years. Section 3 indicates some of the possible consequences of ageing
on the system. The scale of the problem of ageing assets facing many companies in the
coming years requires the selection of one or more overall strategies, rather than addressing
the issue on a case by case basis.
Section 4 of this report presents a set of alternative generic strategies and solutions.
Section 5 describes a process for the selection of an appropriate strategy and identifies the
factors that may dictate the eventual choice of strategy.
In an electricity supply industry, the System Planner is responsible for preparing plans for
the development of the networks to satisfy projected future requirements for transmission
capacity. The Asset Manager is responsible for maintaining the network assets in a safe
and serviceable condition. These functions are typically separated organisationally to a
greater or lesser extent from one another. Indeed with the introduction of concepts such as
the Independent System Operator, these groups may not even be in the same company. (As
the structure of the electricity market evolves in different countries and jurisdictions, it may
not always be clear who is fulfilling the roles of System Planner and Asset Manager.
However it must be accepted that the roles are fulfilled somewhere in the industry.)
The choice of a strategy to deal with the problems of ageing assets involves both the
System Planners and the Asset Managers. Exchanges of information between these
functions are very important in the process of strategy selection. To ensure selection of
optimum strategies, there must be exchanges of relevant information across organisational
boundaries.
Throughout this section a process to choose one or more appropriate strategies is described
by means of process flow diagrams. These diagrams show uni-directional processes that
flow from a starting point to a final decision point. In reality there will be many loops and
iterations in the process. These loops are not shown in the diagrams.
The process is illustrated by a diagram showing a general overview (Fig. 5.1), followed by
more detailed diagrams dealing with the different parts of the process (Figs. 5.2 and 5.3).

- 28 -
System Planner’s Domain
Asset Manager’s Domain
Ageing System Requirements

•Deterioration
•Obsolescence
Develop and Assess •Changing generation
•Changing demand
Options •Changing reliability requirements
•etc.
Prepare composite
Implement Chosen renewal and
Strategy development plan
Other Factors
•Cost
•Land Use
•Technology
•Safety
•Environment
•Availability of outages
Fig.5.1 Strategy Selection Overview
5.1 Process description

Fig. 5.1 shows a high-level overview of a generic process for selecting a strategy to address
the problem of ageing. The process is largely driven by the passage of time and by
changing circumstances. The process incorporates two major sub-processes – one
representing system planning activities and one representing the ageing of the transmission
equipment and the associated asset management activities.
In the past, the focus of the System Planners has been on redesign and upgrading to achieve
additional transmission capacity. The age and condition of most of the existing network
was not a significant factor in the System Planner's work. During periods of high growth in
electricity demand older assets may no longer be rated adequately to serve the growing
demand. They are thus replaced because of their inadequacy before their deteriorating
condition or performance becomes an issue.
Asset management activities, on the other hand, have tended to concentrate on ensuring that
the assets remain fit for service. This involves routine and corrective maintenance
activities and fault repair. When necessary they have included renewal, refurbishment or
replacement of individual assets.
In the low growth environment that prevails in many countries, many assets are rated
sufficiently to fulfil their roles in electricity transmission up to the expiry of their lifetimes.
Furthermore, the very large groups of assets installed during high growth periods are all
likely to reach the end of their lives at about the same time. Developing a strategy to deal
with ageing equipment in the system requires a change of focus on the part of both the
System Planner and the Asset Manager. Effective exchanges of information between them
are critical to the selection of an optimum strategy.

- 29 -
BUSINESS & STAKEHOLDER
DRIVERS
Business Drivers
Technical Drivers
EFFECTS OF TIME External Drivers
INTERNAL FACTORS
ASSET CONDITION
Deterioration ASSESSMENT
KEY CONDITION
INDICATORS
reliability
On-line Set Indicators ACTION
performance
diagnostic
efficiency assessment
GENERATE OPTIONS
EXTERNAL FACTORS Renew by Refurbishment
Inspection &
Acceptable Outside
Plant related: limits of Renew by Replacement
maintenance
spares Condition Upgrade
obsolescence
Re-design Network
safety
Performance Inside
Non- Plant related: history
environmental
land use
financial constraints
Fig. 5.2 Asset Management
5.2 Ageing and asset management

The ageing and asset management sub-process involves determining the condition of the
asset against an agreed set of condition indicators. If the condition is outside predefined
limits then a strategy needs to be put in place to deal with the issue. The sub-process is
shown in Fig. 5.2.
Effects of Time
The processes concerned with the effects of time (ageing) have already been described in
Section 3. These are, in summary, deterioration, where the equipment changes and
eventually no longer satisfies requirements, or obsolescence, where it is not practical or not
economical to retain the equipment in service. Additionally, with the passage of time,
constraints on finance, on environmental impact and on land use will also change.
Business and stakeholder drivers

Strategies for dealing with the effects of time must be carried out in the context of the
overall drivers for the business. For many electricity companies these have changed
significantly in recent years. Some companies are driven essentially by a public service,
minimum cost ethos; others may be driven by maximisation of financial parameters such as
profit, cash flow, return on investment etc.; for others public image may be important.
Accordingly, the ageing asset will be assessed against those criteria that are most important
to the business.
Key condition indicators

In order to carry out a condition assessment of the asset it is clearly important to have a set

- 30 -
of key condition indicators against which to measure its performance. The choice of
appropriate standards will be driven by business considerations. Selection of the indicators
is a two-stage process. Firstly, consideration must be given to those aspects of condition
deemed to be important – technical performance, plant reliability/availability, appearance/
environmental impact etc. Secondly, those indicators that best indicate the condition of the
asset must be chosen – temperature, chemical properties, noise etc. Generally these will be
based on technical considerations.
Asset condition assessment

Asset condition assessment involves measuring or observing the key condition indicators
and assessing these measurements against some pre-determined standards. The observation
may be continuous or periodic, it may be possible on plant in service or may require the
plant to be taken out of service and stripped down.
It is important that the limitations of condition assessment are taken into account. Existing
condition assessment techniques may not anticipate all failure modes - a piece of plant may
fail without warning, despite the condition assessment activities.
Acceptable limits of condition

In order to make a judgement as to whether an asset has reached the end of its useful life it
is important to have agreed acceptable limits of condition and performance. In addition to
technical considerations the business and stakeholder drivers mentioned above must be
taken into account in determining the acceptable limits of condition.
Need for action

Once the asset condition falls outside limits, action is obviously necessary. However, this
situation must be anticipated in good time if effective strategies are to be developed.
Therefore, prediction of future asset condition is required.
Once condition falls or is expected to fall outside limits, the process moves on to the
development of strategic options.
5.3 Development and assessment of strategic options

As in any other activity related to the development of the transmission system, the starting
point is an assessment of future system needs. In today's increasingly uncertain
environment this may well require consideration of a wide range of scenarios relating to
generation development, load development, interconnection etc. In many utilities there will
already be plans in existence for the development of the transmission system.
The ageing of a significant part of the system may provide an opportunity for the review of
the concepts on which system development is based and the introduction of new concepts
more suited to the future requirements for power transmission and distribution. For
example, it may provide the opportunity to change or eliminate a voltage level. In
Germany and also in Slovenia, the ageing of significant portions of the 220 kV system is
being used as an opportunity to upgrade those networks to 380 kV.

- 31 -
System Planner’s Involvement
Develop Options Choose preferred

option
Yes System Planner’s

GENERATE OPTIONS Opinion
Renew by Refurbishment
Do any options
Renew by Replacement change the
Upgrade network?
Re-design Network No Other Factors
•Cost
•Land Use
•Technology
•Safety
•Environment
•Availability of outages
Choose preferred
option
Fig. 5.3 Development and Assessment of Strategic Options

Fig 5.3 shows a generic process for the development and assessment of strategic options to
address the problem of ageing. The process allows the asset manager to develop and assess
strategic options and to involve the system planner whenever an option would result in
network changes or would coincide with or impinge on system development plans.
5.4 Communication between Asset Managers and System Planners

The processes described in the preceding sections require significant liaison between asset
managers and system planners.
In developing strategies to deal with ageing, the Asset Manager needs to be aware of the
importance to the system of the various assets. To achieve this, the System Planner must
communicate to the Asset Manager:
• Which equipment is of strategic importance, i.e. critical to the integrity of the system
or essential for the security of the system (preventing the risk of cascading, voltage
collapse, etc.)
• Which equipment is essential for reliability of power delivery in urban areas and what
are the minimum performance requirements for this equipment
• Which equipment is essential for compliance with power quality requirements
(voltage dips and sags, short and long interruptions etc.) especially in areas with
particular power quality requirements,
• The plants affected by new system requirements (increase of transmission capacity,
increase of short circuit currents)

- 32 -
To take full account of asset renewal and refurbishment needs when developing system
development plans, the System Planner must have timely information about the need for
renewal and the alternative solutions available. More specifically, the Asset Manager must
identify to the System Planner:
• The plants with a risk of performances deterioration: (availability rate, fault rate
transmission capacity, short circuit current interruption)
• The plants with a risk for the safety of the staff or third parties
• The plants with a risk of significant increase in maintenance costs
• Plant which is likely not to comply with environmental requirements.
• The performance and costs of different solutions.
A method used by one company to ensure that resultant asset replacement plans are
communicated widely, and in particular to the system planner, is by representing the plans
on a bar chart over a 20-year timeframe. An example of such a bar chart is given in
Appendix 7. This 20 year “Asset replacement Planner” supports the more usual
representation of plans on System Development Diagrams and allows the “Big Picture” to
be seen. Copies of the planners are also made widely available within the company by
placing them on the company Intranet.
5.5 Implementation and timing

The key to success is timely implementation. Experience has shown that where strategies
have not been developed in good time and decisions have not been taken early enough to
replace assets, external factors (e.g. length of time to obtain consents to increase tower
heights and overhead line voltage level) may preclude implementation of the optimum
strategy. The following should be considered to aid the process.
5.5.1. Triggers
The main initiating factors that require actions to be taken in relation to system planning
and development, may be described as follows:
1. Change in requirements leading to demand for increase/ decrease of transmission
capacity.
2. New authority requirements related to existing assets.
3. Asset condition not satisfactory in relation to legal or company requirements.
The consequences of ageing require actions to be taken in relation to item 3 above. But the
action has to take into account consequences of item 1 and 2.
5.5.2. Implementation
An implementation plan must take account of the following
• What is the precise scope of the renewal work?

- 33 -
• When, from the point of view of asset condition, will it become essential to take the
asset out of service?
• Will some actions have to be advanced because of the volume of renewal work, or
• Will some renewal activities have to be postponed, with the consequential risks if, for
example it is not feasible to take the asset out of service?
• How will the network be operated while renewal work is taking place? What impact
will operational requirements have on the programming of the work? Will temporary
schemes be required?
5.5.3. Prioritisation
Prioritisation, selecting the order in which equipment should be renewed or refurbished,
can be done on the basis of one of a number of alternative strategies:
• An incident-based strategy, where priorities are set on the basis of actual instances of
failure
• A time-based strategy, where priorities are set on the basis of the age of the
equipment
• A condition-based strategy, where priorities are based on the results of condition
assessment activities,
• A system reliability-centred strategy which takes account of the two aspects of
condition and importance to the system.
A reliability-centred asset management strategy uses the following procedure:
• The condition of the equipment has to be determined.
• The importance of the equipment for the network as a whole must be determined, e.g.
the influence of equipment failure on the reliability of supply.
• Both information inputs must be combined and evaluated in order to specify the
optimum sequence of replacement or refurbishment for the individual devices
(equipment, substation).
The condition can be evaluated on the basis of different criteria such as age, service history,
results of inspection and diagnostic tests, knowledge and experience of maintenance staff
etc.
Defining a piece of equipment's importance and assessing the consequences of a failure
basically constitute a practical but also subjectively influenced exercise. In this context,
there are numerous different parameters to be considered. These include:
• non-availability of the circuit
• failure rate of the circuit
• system configuration
• interrupted active power

- 34 -
• kind of customers, social impact
• value of unserved energy.
Fig. 5.4 shows the basic procedure for linking the two aspects using indices based on
assessments of condition and importance.
The overall sequence of replacement and refurbishment according to Fig. 5.4 will lead to a
ranking, which equipment has to be replaced first, second and so on. This will be expressed
using the index "o" combining the two aspects mentioned above.
Index C
condition of
circuit
Index O
Refurbishment /
overall sequence of
Σ refurbishment /
replacement
strategy
replacement
Index I
importance of
circuit
Fig. 5.4 Ranking for replacement and refurbishment planning
The values for the "c" (condition) and "i" (importance) parameters can be can be calculated
in such a way that the "c" and "i" values can assume a maximum value of 100. A large
value for "i" signifies that the equipment concerned is of high importance in the network.
A large vale for “c” signifies that the equipment is in poor condition.
Another way to illustrate this concept is drawn in Figure 5.5. The results (crosses) can be
listed in an X, Y system of co-ordinates as shown in the Figure. The vertical axis
represents the condition of the item of equipment concerned, while the horizontal axis
reflects its importance in the network. A cross in the top left-hand corner corresponds to an
item of equipment that, although in poor technical condition, would not cause any major
consequences if it were to fail. In contrast, a cross in the bottom right-hand corner
designates an item of equipment that is in very good condition. A failure of this device
would entail substantial consequences for network operation. The distances d1 to d5
illustrate the sequence in which the individual equipment items must be serviced or
replaced.

- 35 -
c
100
2 3
cR 1
4 5
d1 d2
d3
cM
d4
d5
100 i
Fig. 5.5: Interpretation of ranking

The empirical threshold levels CM and CR are entered in Fig. 5.5 as user-specific data based
on feedback from the network engineers concerned. The resulting areas can be defined as
follows:
100 - CR: replacement
CR - CM: maintenance, repair
< CM : no action required
Inside a particular area, the priority for individual measures is obtained by examining the
distances d from the straight line. With the aid of the classification achieved in Fig. 5.5 the
necessary action can be specified.
It is clear from Fig. 5.5 that condition assessment is not of itself sufficient for replacement
planning. For example, servicing of item 5 would be more necessary than for items 1 and
4, although item 1 shows worse condition than item 5.
The most challenging task in this technique is the assignment of values for condition and
importance. These values will depend largely on each company’s objectives and drivers.
This procedure is one of a number that may be used for prioritisation of renewal activities.
An example of the application of the procedure is given in Appendix 4.
5.6 Key influences:

The factors that influence the selection of a preferred strategy include the following.
5.6.1. Route and land use issues

Route and land use factors are a major influence in strategy selection. On one hand, route

- 36 -
issues may favour the adoption of a strategy of renewal, or of very limited upgrade. This
can arise where any change to the appearance or environmental impact of a transmission
line requires a new permission or consent from the relevant authorities, from the landowner
or both. This type of situation has been reported from Ireland and from Poland and may
also be relevant in other countries. In France, only works that change significantly the
performance of a piece of equipment require a new “Public Utility” procedure. This may
lead to voluntary limits to the performance of refurbished equipment.
On the other hand, pressures for industrial, commercial or residential development and the
difficulty of obtaining new routes for transmission lines will tend to encourage more
intensive use of existing rights of way. This can be achieved by upgrading existing lines,
or by replacing existing lines with multi-circuit lines, possibly at a higher voltage level.
This type of development has been reported from Denmark.
Thus route and land use factors can tend to favour a strategy based on replacing like with
like, or a strategy involving a fundamental re-design of the system, depending on the
individual circumstances.
It would be desirable, from the perspective of the network owners and operators, to have
simplified permitting procedures for renewal works than those required for new works. As
exemplified above, the actual situation varies significantly from one country to another.
5.6.2. Changing legal requirements

There are many instances where countries have introduced new regulations affecting the
construction and operation of electric transmission facilities. These may relate to limits on
electric and magnetic fields, minimum separation from buildings, (especially houses and
schools) etc. In many cases these new regulations may apply only to newly constructed
facilities and may not apply to existing transmission lines. These circumstances tend to
favour the retention of the existing plant or like for like replacement. For example, in
Slovenia, new, stringent regulations with regard to electro-magnetic fields apply only to
new transmission lines. In Ireland the laws with regard to planning permission did not
apply to many older transmission lines.
There is a significant risk that changing legal requirements may render existing or renewed
/ refurbished plant non-compliant.
5.6.3. Financial issues

The effect of the strategy selected on the financial performance of the company will be a
key factor. In the publicly owned, public service type of company the approach is likely to
have been one of minimum long-term cost. With the introduction of increasing
competition, commercialisation and privatisation, the impact on the financial performance
of the company in terms of return to shareholders must be considered. For example, it has
been reported from the UK that taxation may favour the replacement of like with like as
against any form of upgrade. Company financial policies and regulatory treatment of
capital and operating expenditures will also be major influences. In Ireland one factor in
the selection of a strategy of renewal rather than deferral by increased maintenance was that
the renewal expenditure could be capitalised, whereas increased maintenance would have

- 37 -
been treated as increased operating expenditure and would have been unacceptable to the
regulatory authorities at the time.
5.6.4. Resources – money – skills

Even when the key technical, economic and financial analyses tend to favour a particular
strategy, the final selection may have to be modified to take account of the availability of
key resources, particularly finance and skilled staff.
In Section 3, the problem of the approaching bow-wave of replacement was introduced. In
an attempt to moderate the impact of the bow-wave on the operations and finances of the
network business, companies may use a combination of pre-investment (early replacement)
and deferral techniques. The possible impact of these techniques on the replacement
profile, and therefore on the financial and staff requirements, is shown in Fig 5.61.
Original Replacement Profile
Modified Replacement Profile
Fig.
5.6 Impact of Pre-investment and Life Extension on Replacement Profile
The availability of suitably qualified skilled staff to maintain obsolescent equipment may
dictate the need to opt for a strategy based on upgrading rather than a deferral option based
on maintenance and monitoring. This is especially true in the case of protection equipment,
where there is an increasing shortage of staff with the skills to maintain and repair
electromechanical relays.
5.6.5. Outage requirements and outage availability

When new transmission facilities were constructed to meet growing demand, the system
was (presumably) adequate without the new facility up to the time it was built. However,
when considering renewal, the asset to be renewed or replaced is likely to be essential to
the reliable operation of the system. Operators will probably be unable to schedule the
1
See also "Developing medium to long-term strategies to manage your business safely into the 21st century"
V. Jonas, IEE Colloquium on tools and techniques for dealing with uncertainty, London, January 1998.

- 38 -
lengthy outages required for re-construction or replacement. This may lead to the
development of live-working techniques for refurbishment. In some other cases it may
force the redesign of the system, as a new system may have to be built before the aged plant
can be retired. For example, in the UK, the National Grid Company is overlaying the
existing 275 kV system in the London area with a new 400 kV development, rather than
replacing the 275 kV network on a like-for-like basis. Appendix 6 is a discussion on
techniques to limit the outages required for renewal work.
5.6.6. Environmental issues

In addition to changing environmental regulations, there is increasing public awareness of
all aspects of the environmental impact of electricity transmission. Of particular concern
are factors such as visual impact, electric and magnetic fields and noise pollution. In the
UK there has been resistance to renewal projects due to increased audible noise from
uprating lines or EMF perceptions. In Northern Ireland, to the increased public awareness
of environmental issues, substation and overhead line refurbishment projects will be based
on low profile designs so as to minimise environmental impact.
5.6.7. Safety
Although many changes in laws and regulations are not applied retrospectively to existing
plant, changing safety requirements may well have to be taken into account immediately.
5.6.8. Global / societal cost benefit analysis

Although electricity companies are increasingly being driven by commercial objectives,
regulatory authorities are in many cases concerned with the global or societal costs and
benefits of projects. Where electricity market participants are involved in the governance
of the network business, the impact on congestion, losses etc. may have to be taken into
account in selecting renewal strategies.
5.7 Joint Working Group 23/39 survey

The impact of some of these influences is illustrated by a recent survey carried out by
CIGRÉ Joint Working Group 23/39 Maintenance and Reliability. The survey assessed the
policies of 64 utilities world-wide in relation to maintenance, outage management,
equipment refurbishment and replacement and spares policy.
When considering the important criteria influencing system wide replacement, the survey
found that deterioration is by far the primary consideration with factors such as load
growth, availability of skills, customer requirements and availability of capital following
on. In addition, the results of the survey indicate distinct differences in the thought process
between government owned and private utilities when considering replacement. Private
utilities seem to more concerned with public safety, environmental and regulatory
requirements as well as the cost of replacement. Government owned utilities feel more
strongly about the safety of neighbouring equipment as well as obsolete design criteria.

- 39 -
6. CONCLUSIONS
The statistics presented in Section 2 show clearly that in many countries large amounts of
transmission plant installed during periods of high growth are approaching the end of their
useful lives. The resulting technical, financial, resource and other consequences need to be
addressed in an integrated and timely manner.
Problems associated with ageing manifest themselves in terms of plant deterioration and / or
technical obsolescence. These plant-related issues can eventually lead to system wide
problems such as reduced reliability / availability, and non-compliance with changing
technical, environmental and safety standards. However, as a result of the application of
planning criteria such as n – 1 or n – 2, there is little evidence that ageing has impacted on
system performance. If ageing plant is not refurbished or replaced there is a risk of
deteriorating system performance in the longer term.
The development of the most appropriate strategy is a complex issue and will involve both the
system planner and the asset manager. In developing system development plans, system
planners must take account of the fact that certain assets will reach the end of their lives.
Future system requirements are central to the development of plans for the retirement,
refurbishment or replacement of life-expired assets. The selection of the optimum strategy
will therefore require close liaison and the exchange of relevant information between system
planners on the one hand and asset managers on the other hand.
In developing options the planner must be aware that many of the issues associated with the
modification of existing plant will differ from those associated with new developments.
Some issues will favour the modification of existing plant over new construction e.g.
availability of a route corridor. Others may favour new construction e.g. unavailability of
outages to modify existing plant.
Five broad generic strategies to deal with ageing have been identified. These are:
• Renewal by refurbishment: some components of an asset are replaced to bring the asset to
an as-new condition
• Renewal by replacement: all components are replaced i.e. like-for-like replacement of the
asset.
• Upgrading or renewal: the ageing assets are replaced or refurbished to a standard which
provides an enhanced asset
• Network redesign: the opportunity is taken to implement a redesign (and hence an
enhancement) of the system.
• Life-extension or deferral: increased maintenance and/or monitoring of existing
equipment until other strategies can be implemented.

- 40 -
The need to replace or refurbish large groups of assets brings with it the need to address
associated resource and financial issues. In addition, the need for outages to carry out the
replacement or refurbishment work must be addressed. Many companies are making
extensive use of live working techniques or relocatable temporary equipment (mobile bays,
mobile protection panels) to minimise the outages required.
On the other hand, the ageing of assets may provide system planners with an opportunity to
redesign the system. The use of line corridors can be optimised, voltage levels may be
rationalised, with some omitted, existing concepts may be reviewed and new concepts may be
introduced so as to develop a system more suited to present and future requirements.

- 41 -
Appendix 1.
Relevant CIGRÉ Activities

Working Groups
12.18 Life Management of transformers Est. 1994

12.20 Economics of transformer management Est. 1998
13.08 Life management of circuit breakers Est. 1995
15.11 Service aged materials Est. 1999
15/33.08 Insulation monitoring and life estimation. Est. 1994
SC15TF2 Service aged materials Est. 1996
21.05 Diagnostic methods for service aged cable systems 1991 - 1995
22.13 Management of existing overhead lines Est. 1992
22.15 Life cycle of overhead lines Est. 1999
23.11 Renovation of existing substations. Est. 1991
23/39 Maintenance and reliability Est. 1995
34.06 Criteria for lifetime assessment and refurbishment of Est. 1995
protection and control
34.06 Maintenance and management of protection systems completed 1993
TF39.01 Maintenance policies of power networks. Ended 1993
CIGRÉ Sessions
2000
Group 13, preferential subject 1
Consequences of economic constraints on switchgear
13-103: Balzer, Strnad, Neumann, Halfmann, Orlowska, Life cycle management of
circuit breakers by application of reliability-centred maintenance
13-104: Janssen, Lanz, Peelo, De Radigues, Makareinis, Life management of CBs a
summary of the studies of CIGRÉ WG 13.08
1998
Life management of power transformers and reactors: failure analysis, monitoring and
diagnostics, refurbishment and processing.
12-202: Kazimerski, Sobocki, Olech, Selected elements of life management of large
power transformers, a Polish experience
12-204, Pettersson, Fantrana, Sundermann, Life assessment, ranking of power
transformers using condition based evaluation. A new approach,
12-207, Aschwanden, Hässig, Fuhr, Lorin, V. Der Houhanessian, Zaengel, Schenk,
Zwelacker, Piras, Development and application of new condition assessment
methods for power transformers.
12-210, Jarman, Lapworth, Wilson, Life assessment of 275 kV and 400 kV transmission
transformers.

Ageing models for HV insulation including residual life estimation,
15-201. Singh, Morel, Singh, Cooper, Zenger, The development of an aging model to
estimate the residual life of oil-paper transmission cables in the United
~States.

Joint Session 23.37.39, Operation and planning in the context of ageing facilities.
23/37/39-01, Bretthauer, Handschin, Neumann, Weber, Wellssow, New approaches for
maintenance management for grid facilities
23/27/39-03, Henry, Desbrosses, Peyroche Davriu, Gaudry, Long term development of
transmission networks in a renewal background
1996
Group 23, preferential subject 1, Renovation, refurbishment, renewal and uprating of
substations
23-101 Dhuyvetter, Mathieu, Simoens, Guidelines for the refurbishment of the HV
substations in Belgium
23-102, Reichelt, Frey, Schönenberger. Life expectancy of power system apparatus and
components
23-105, Kopejtkova, Ott, Röhsler, Salamanca, Smit, Strnad, Wester, Strategy for
condition based maintenance and updating of substations.
23-106, Larsson, Olsson, A procedure for appropriate renovation planning for older
substations, in the Swedish power transmission system.
23-107, Salamanca, González, Muiña, García, A decision support system in the updating
of substations.
23-108, Kiiveri, Lahtinen, Life cycle cost and condition management system for
substations.
23-109, Dementyev, Maksimov, Kukhitov, Chutchev, Kulakov, Tsirel, Reconstruction
and replacement of equipment at Russian extra-high voltage substations,
Technical and economic aspects.
23-112, Neumann, Balzer, Brandes, Bürger, Gimber, Karrenbauer, Krause, Life
estimation of substation equipment by advanced control and monitoring
techniques and modern maintenance strategies.
1990
Group 22. preferential subject 2, Long term performance of components
22-201, Amm, Havard, Horrocks, Horrocks, Macedo, Development of a high voltage
transmission line refurbishment program at Ontario Hydro.
22-203, Crouch, Swift, Parraud, De Decker, Ageing mechanisms of AC energised
insulators.
CIGRÉ Symposia
London symposium:1999, Working Plant and Systems Harder
500-02, CIGRÉ WG 23/39. An international survey of maintenance policies and trends

500-03, Anders, Endrenyi, Vainberg, Lebow, Extending equipment life, an application
of asset management planner
500-05, CIGRÉ WG 23-02, Report on the second international survey on high voltage
gas insulated substations GIS, experience in life expectancy, maintenance and
environmental issues.

Berlin symposium April 1993, Diagnostic and Maintenance Techniques
110-22 Darveniza, Saha, Hill, Le, Studies of the condition of insulation in aged
transformers and predicting its remaining life
Technical Brochures
Maintenance and Management of Protection Systems, Brochure 87, 1994
Electra Articles
Lifetime evaluation of transformers, WG12. 09 (Thermal aspects of transformers )
Electra 150, October 1993
Consideration of ageing factors in extruded insulation cables and accessories,

M. S. Papadopulos, (WG 21-09) Electra no 140, Feb 1992

Appendix 2.
Terms of Reference

Appendix 3.
Additional Statistical Information

Appendix 3
ADDITIONAL STATISTICAL INFORMATION
The following tables and associated histograms show the age statistics supplied by each
of the companies surveyed. For commercial confidentiality reasons, the identity of each
company is not shown.
The histograms show above the x-axis the asset populations in 5-year age bands for each
plant type. Each colour represents the volume of plant in different companies. The
colour used to represent each company varies from one histogram to another. Likewise,
the order of the columns of data from different companies varies from one table to the
next.
Each company's estimate of asset life is shown below the x-axis. In most cases the
companies provided their estimates of shortest, mean and longest anticipated asset life
for each type of asset. The heights of the bars representing asset life estimates do not
have any particular significance. Larger blocks represent estimates of mean life, and
smaller blocks represent estimates of shortest or longest life.
A3 - 1
List of Data Sets
A3-1 Overhead Lines – ACSR – Normal Environment.....................................................................3
A3-2 Overhead Lines - ACSR Fully Greased – Polluted/Wind Exposed Environment .................4
A3-3 Overhead Lines - ACSR Fully Greased – Heavy pollution / Ice loading ................................5
A3-4 Overhead Lines > 110 kV – Wood Poles - .................................................................................6
A3-5 Lattice Steel Towers - >110 kV...................................................................................................7
A3-6 Cables - Oil Filled, >110kV .........................................................................................................8
A3-7 Cables - XLPE, >110kV ..............................................................................................................9
A3-8 Submarine DC Cables ...............................................................................................................10
A3-9 110-145 kV Air Blast Circuit Breakers....................................................................................11
A3-10 110-170 kV Oil Circuit Breakers..............................................................................................12
A3-11 110-170kV Gas Circuit Breakers..............................................................................................13
A3-12 200 – 275 kV Air Blast Circuit Breakers .................................................................................14
A3-13 200-275kV Oil Circuit Breakers...............................................................................................15
A3-14 200-275 kV Gas Circuit Breakers.............................................................................................16
A3-15 345 kV and above Oil Circuit Breakers...................................................................................17
A3-16 345 kV and above Air Blast Circuit Breakers.........................................................................18
A3-17 345 kV and above Gas Circuit Breakers..................................................................................19
A3-18 Earth switches/Disconnectors ...................................................................................................20
A3-19 Switch Disconnectors.................................................................................................................21
A3-20 Surge Arrestors -Gapped/Gapless............................................................................................22
A3-21 Current Transformers - Oil filled ............................................................................................23
A3-22 Combined Current and Voltage Transformers.......................................................................24
A3-23 Voltage Transformers - Capacitor ...........................................................................................25
A3-24 Gas-Insulated Switchgear - Indoor ..........................................................................................26
A3-25 Transformers .............................................................................................................................27
A3-26 Shunt Reactors...........................................................................................................................28
A3-27 Electromechanical Protection, Signalling, Control and Intertripping Equipment..............29
A3-28 Synchronous Compensators .....................................................................................................30
A3-29 Static VAR Compensators ........................................................................................................31
A3-30 Capacitor Banks ........................................................................................................................32
A3 - 2
A3-1 Overhead Lines – ACSR – Normal Environment
Overhead Lines -ACSR (Normal/Environment 'C' )

20000
15000
CIRCUIT km
10000
5000
0
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90
ASSET LIFE
Age - YEARS
Age Range Circuit-km

(Years)
0-5 174 2383 70 48 79 4631 132 172
5-10 431 2829 11 376 28 4597 1152 172
10-15 1042 2843 32 99 74 5356 77 150
15-20 1268 2734 168 831 142 7189 1206 113
20-25 950 1906 37 367 1437 424 10014 1940 113
25-30 1510 945 64 1069 184 1387 8274 3985 63
30-35 1123 256 198 1921 1734 2984 7568 1457 117
35-40 900 54 36 234 1027 3691 7064 1056
40-45 321 19 167 2025 2895 2458 1800
45-50 84 1743 2437 2335 3233
50-55 55 2 863 648 45 1401 521
55-60 28 167 1002 4914
60-65 60 1498
65-70 8 513
70-75 45 226
75-80
80-85
85-90 0.7
Estimated Life Years
Earliest 70 40 50 40 40 60 30
Mean 80 40 45 55 60 45 50 70 40
Latest 90 50 65 70 50 60 80 50
See explanatory note on page A3-1.
A3 -3
A3-2 Overhead Lines - ACSR Fully Greased – Polluted/Wind Exposed Environment
Overhead Lines - ACSR (Polluted/Wind Exposed - Environment 'B&D')

5000
4000
CIRCUIT km
3000
2000
1000
0
ASSET LIFE
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90
Age - YEARS

(Years)
0-5 1455 506 76 57 19
5-10 1870 263 355 214 51 153 36 135
10-15 2145 9 205 49 177 340
15-20 1832 82 337 611 70 842 245
20-25 573 283 292 654 12 1095 83 926
25-30 639 821 314 459 23 522 36 315
30-35 64 1215 145 20 334 235 151 391
35-40 26 248 36 9 55 183
40-45 304 35 45 18 153
45-50 790 7 10 127
50-55 241 6 31
55-60 1350
60-65
65-70 25
70-75 14

Earliest 40 60 35 60 70
Mean 30 50 70 40 70 85 45
Latest 60 80 45 80 100 50
A3 -4
A3-3 Overhead Lines - ACSR Fully Greased – Heavy pollution / Ice loading
Overhead Lines - ACSR (Heavy Pollution - Environment 'A' )
5000
4000
3000
CIRCUIT km
2000
1000
0
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80
ASSET LIFE
Age - YEARS

(Years)
0-5 150
5-10 40 69 1 401
10-15 116 3981
15-20 51 16 2 1658
20-25 30 6 213 486
25-30 158 709 1434 29
30-35 45 15 77 73 4045
35-40 134 1043 219
40-45 7 15 342
45-50 884
50-55 108
55-60 656

Earliest 30 30 30 25 60
Mean 40 40 45 30 70
Latest 55 50 50 35 80
A3 -5
A3-4 Overhead Lines > 110 kV – Wood Poles -
Wood Poles > 110kV

20000
15000
10000
Population
5000
0
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70
Asset Life
Age - YEARS
Age Range
(Years)
0-5 7200 111 341 462
5-10 7400 304 100 497
10-15 4900 280 425 600 8
15-20 6100 1146 750 493 115
20-25 9000 1690 1100 503 1035
25-30 6000 850 700 302 667
30-35 10400 1882 1525 27 798
35-40 5100 686 2800 739 1101
40-45 6100 1011 366 344 1062
45-50 5800 1940 966 607 0
50-55 3000 3816 268 0
55-60 4000 730 396
60-65

Earliest 35 40 35 40 35
Mean 45 50 45 40 45 40
Latest 55 60 55 50 50 45
A3 -6
A3-5 Lattice Steel Towers - >110 kV
Towers - Steel Lattice > 110kV

40000
30000
Population
20000
10000
0
5
15
25
35
45
55
65
75
85
95
105
115
Asset Life
Age - YEARS
Age Range
(Years)
0-5 5084 37 392 734 235 35 220 85
5-10 3697 301 1853 2997 235 1250 253 8
10-15 7080 86 2598 1479 235 2925 327 50
15-20 5345 254 3368 2648 416 2480 1679 198
20-25 12092 1145 2400 3124 284 228 4450 1942 530
25-30 5686 4313 4014 5538 103 157 4560 1296 396
30-35 2298 7587 3368 2144 703 430 4390 1401 112
35-40 30 4780 1892 2179 80 334 4350 172 409
40-45 1792 907 3103 142 1883 253 692
45-50 1 0 7897 380 7623 485 69
50-55 450 2250 867 2233 71
55-60 0 13911 22
60-65 11
65-70 121
70-75 300

Earliest 40 40 80 40 25 40 70 40
Mean 50 60 100 90 50 35 60 50 85 50
Latest 60 80 100 40 80 60 100 60
A3 -7
A3-6 Cables - Oil Filled, >110kV
Cables - Oil Filled, >110kV

600
500
400
300
CIRCUIT km
200
100
0
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85
ASSET LIFE
Age - YEARS

(Years)
0-5 19 0.135 31 1 13 58
5-10 12 9 31 118
10-15 1.542 26 5 6 14 57
15-20 61 33 34 24 62
20-25 0.6 50 5 40 50 6 120
25-30 127 10 83 8 28 48 120
30-35 284 7 92 23 1 110
35-40 11 0 21 33 3 55
40-45 1 6 4 24 13
45-50 0 1 18
50-55
55-60
60-65 28

Earliest 25 40 25 40 40 25
Mean 30 50 50 80 45 30 50 85 35
Latest 35 60 80 50 60 40
A3 -8
A3-7 Cables - XLPE, >110kV
CABLES - XLPE, >110kV

450
400
350
300
Circuit km
250
200
150
100
50
0
ASSET LIFE
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60
Age - YEARS

(Years)
0-5 120 1 289
5-10 185 2.1 185
10-15 63 2.1 1 91
15-20 64 2.1 1 65
20-25 64 2.1 2
25-30 5 0
30-35 0 0
35-40 4 0

Earliest 30 35 25
Mean 40 45 35
Latest 50 50 40
A3 -9
A3-8 Submarine DC Cables
CABLES - Sea, DC, >110kV

600
500
400
300
CIRCUIT km
200
100
0
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70
ASSET LIFE
Age - YEARS

(Years)
0-5 128
5-10 17 163
10-15 31 64
15-20 70
20-25 331 162
25-30 12
30-35 12
35-40 21

Earliest 50 35
Mean 60 >40 40
Latest 70 45
A3 -10
A3-9 110-145 kV Air Blast Circuit Breakers
110-145kV Air Circuit Breakers

700
600
500
400
300
Population
200
100
0
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55
Asset Life
Age - YEARS
Age Range
0-5 1
5-10
10-15
15-20 1
20-25 5 3 9
25-30 5 1 12 84 6
30-35 5 29 6 110 16 347 44
35-40 5 4 8 70 496 4
40-45 9 10 58 1
45-50 2 11 22 41
Estimated life
Earliest 25 35 35 40 40 40 30 25
Mean 30 40 40 45 50 45 45 40 35
Latest 35 45 50 50 60 50 50 50 40
A3 -11
A3-10 110-170 kV Oil Circuit Breakers
110-170kV Oil Circuit Breakers

2000
1500
1000
Population
500
0
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60
Asset Life
Age - YEARS
Age Range
(Years)
0-5 77
5-10 47 7
10-15 22 1 1 1
15-20 14 981 36 2
20-25 47 1255 49 13 13 120 7 52
25-30 49 1376 81 9 19 12 59
30-35 46 731 55 73 45 9 2
35-40 49 137 26 41 2 9
40-45 39 7 24 14
45-50 64 2 19 1
50-55 40
55-60 6

Earliest 35 40 25 40 35 40 25 35 35
Mean 45 50 35 45 40 45 30 45 40 40
Latest 55 60 40 50 45 50 35 50 45 45
A3 -12
A3-11 110-170kV Gas Circuit Breakers
110-170kV Gas Circuit Breakers

2500
2000
1500
Population
1000
500
0
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60
Asset Life
Age - YEARS
Age Range
0-5 29 1899 2 43 5 6 23 160 22
5-10 13 1841 44 61 3 27 48 50 13
10-15 25 1258 15 26 2 14 30 50
15-20 45 630 14 14 4 8 74
20-25 3 9 2 3 12
25-30 1

Earliest 30 25 40 40 40 35 40 35 40 25
Mean 40 35 50 50 50 40 45 40 45 30 45
Latest 50 40 60 60 60 45 50 45 50 35 50
A3 -13
A3-12 200 – 275 kV Air Blast Circuit Breakers
200-275kV Air Circuit Breakers

600
500
400
300
Population
200
100
0
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55
Asset Life
Age - YEARS
Age Range
(Years)
0-5 1
5-10
10-15 10
15-20 2 12 1 48 15 4
20-25 6 20 4 110 20 12 9
25-30 1 85 10 2 204 5 6 41
30-35 57 16 22 166 15 207
35-40 5 10 40 76 55
40-45 26 44 4
45-50 2

Earliest 40 35 40 25 35 25 25 40
Mean 45 40 50 35 40 35 30 45 45
Latest 50 45 60 40 45 40 35 50 50
A3 -14
A3-13 200-275kV Oil Circuit Breakers
200 - 275kV Oil Circuit Breakers

400
300
Population
200
100
0
Asset Life
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55
Age - YEARS
Age Range
(Years)
0-5 4 50
5-10 5 100
10-15 20 42 100
15-20 20 7 144 21 2 50
20-25 15 14 178 105 32 2
25-30 2 3 34 131 43 17 18
30-35 7 74 22 10 70
35-40 8 34 34 1 15
40-45 12 7
45-50 22 13
50-55 21

Earliest 35 30 40 25 40 35 35 25 40
Mean 40 40 45 35 50 40 40 30 45
Latest 45 45 50 40 60 45 45 35 50
A3 -15
A3-14 200-275 kV Gas Circuit Breakers
200-275kV Gas Circuit Breakers

700
600
500
400
300
Population
200
100
0
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60
Asset Life
Age - YEARS
Age Range
(Years)
0-5 2 41 400 12 10 111 18 6
5-10 18 70 13 150 19 20 75 21 15
10-15 2 28 75 41 20 57 37 11
15-20 3 25 40 6 8 29 5
20-25 2 22 59 7
25-30 1
30-35 1

Earliest 35 40 25 40 40 30 25 40 30
Mean 40 50 45 30 45 45 40 35 50 40
Latest 45 60 50 35 50 50 45 40 60 50
A3 -16
A3-15 345 kV and above Oil Circuit Breakers
345kV and above Oil Circuit Breakers

250
200
150
Population
100
50
0
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55
Asset Life
Age - YEARS
Age Range
0-5 20
5-10 10 30 3
10-15 40 60 1 66
15-20 40 60 4 2 124
20-25 30 27 91
25-30 30 8 19
30-35 14 5
35-40 19 3

Earliest 35 30 25 35 25
Mean 45 40 30 40 40 35
Latest 55 45 35 45 40
A3 -17
A3-16 345 kV and above Air Blast Circuit Breakers
345kV and above Air Circuit Breakers

400
300
Population
200
100
0
Asset Life
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60
Age - YEARS
Age Range
(Years)
0-5
5-10
10-15 15 68
15-20 34 2 15 3 54 42 59
20-25 9 41 12 18 72 81
25-30 23 161 14 5 72 45
30-35 150 5 5 72 14
35-40 55 8 9
40-45 4

Earliest 40 40 25 35 35 25 40 30 25
Mean 50 45 30 40 40 35 45 40 35
Latest 60 60 35 45 45 40 50 50 40
A3 -18
A3-17 345 kV and above Gas Circuit Breakers
345kV and above Gas Circuit Breakers

500
400
300
Population
200
100
0
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60
Asset Life
Age - YEARS
Age Range
(Years)
0-5 70 86 3 20 3 16 19
5-10 4 30 83 51 40 153 23 33 41
10-15 23 15 20 2 40 6 81 26
15-20 49 5 15 3 40 9 14
20-25 21 26 36

Earliest 40 25 40 35 30 40 30 25 40 40
Mean 45 30 50 40 40 45 40 35 50 50 40
Latest 50 35 60 45 45 50 50 40 60 60
A3 -19
A3-18 Earth switches/Disconnectors
Disconnectors/Earth Switches
5000
4000
3000
2000
Population
1000
0
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60
Asset Life
Age - YEARS
Age Range
(Years)
0-5 1 22 10 444 130 125 46
5-10 27 96 2 363 290 10 121
10-15 33 91 229 550 213 4
15-20 13 171 359 550 285 14
20-25 12 186 12 1162 650 249
25-30 31 88 12 3457 210 534
30-35 82 40 42 2119 130 165 2
35-40 57 57 15 533 32 2
40-45 8 16 100 139 198
45-50 6 16 7 1
50-55 2 0
55-60 0
60-65 8

Earliest 25 30 30 40
Mean 50 30 45 45 35 50 40
Latest 35 50 60 40 60
A3 -20
A3-19 Switch Disconnectors
Switch Disconnectors
200
150
100
Population
50
0
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65
Asset Life
Age - YEARS
Age Range
(Years)
0-5 5
5-10 47 77
10-15 3 28
15-20 7 12 87
20-25 21 8 33
25-30 2 36 109
30-35 97 6
35-40 66 2
40-45 19
45-50 27
50-55
55-60 3

Earliest 40 25
Mean 45 >50 30
Latest 50 35
A3 -21
A3-20 Surge Arrestors -Gapped/Gapless
Surge Arrestors
1200
1000
800
600
Population
400
200
0
Asset Life
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70
Age - YEARS
Age Range
(Years)
0-5 6 18 5 4 636 272
5-10 178 12 33 9 8 474 304
10-15 143 12 4 36 282
15-20 127 12 15 1 33 513
20-25 12 3 6 307
25-30 18 12 7 2 124
30-35 12 1 1 6
35-40 12 192
40-45
45-50 270

Earliest 50 25 40 25 40 30
Mean 60 30 45 40 30 50 35
Latest 70 35 50 35 60 40
A3 -22
A3-21 Current Transformers - Oil filled
Current Transformers - Oil Filled

800
700
600
500
400
Population
300
200
100
0
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65
Asset Life
Age - YEARS
Age Range
(Years)
0-5 12 58 30 239 39
5-10 28 18 60 155
10-15 167 125 49
15-20 4 143 125 29
20-25 57 125 191
25-30 184 95 334
30-35 1 105 30 524 12
35-40 1 0 240 111
40-45 12 139 15
45-50 14 5
50-55 11
55-60 3

Mean 40 50 30 40 30 45
Latest 60 35 45 35
A3 -23
A3-22 Combined Current and Voltage Transformers
Combined CT's and VT's

1000
800
600
Population
400
200
0
Asset Life
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65
Age - YEARS
Age Range
(Years)
0-5 30 1 12
5-10 895 27
10-15 2 33 45
15-20 13 132
20-25 12 48
25-30 31 204
30-35 82 48
35-40 57 78
40-45 8 48
45-50 6 21
50-55
55-60 2

Earliest 35 25 40
Mean 40 30 50
Latest 50 35 60
A3 -24
A3-23 Voltage Transformers - Capacitor
Voltage Transformers - Capacitor

1000
800
600
400
Population
200
0
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60
Asset Life
Age - YEARS
Age Range
(Years)
0-5 30 30 200 5
5-10 60 121 18
10-15 110 52 1 5
15-20 110 24 78 3
20-25 110 126 55
25-30 80 287 225
30-35 30 678 1 55
35-40 96 125 1
40-45 43

Mean 30 30 45 40 40 50
Latest 35 35 50 60
A3 -25
A3-24 Gas-Insulated Switchgear - Indoor
GIS - Indoor, >110kV

300
250
Population ( bays)
200
150
100
50
0
Asset Life
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60
Age - YEARS
Age Range
(Years)
0-5 24 3 146
5-10 9 2 63 1 0 176 1
10-15 28 1 2 1 42 206 2
15-20 20 8 2 7 198 3
20-25 5 1 256 1
25-30 142
30-35 5

Earliest 40 25 40 35 30
Mean 45 30 50 40 40
Latest 50 35 60 45 50
A3 -26
A3-25 Transformers
Transformers, >110kV
2000
1500
1000
Population
500
0
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90
Asset Life
Age - YEARS
Age Range
(Years)
0-5 124 3 2 4 25 6 11 1 77 7 166
5-10 124 3 14 13 51 4 7 8 1 93 96 443
10-15 116 20 17 16 31 15 1 7 78 21 389
15-20 100 18 5 4 27 37 2 5 68 45 631
20-25 100 30 9 45 22 13 4 124 111 839
25-30 95 19 15 5 115 19 36 2 156 152 812
30-35 46 19 68 2 251 19 27 1 3 76 89 654
35-40 2 20 31 4 92 9 11 46 78 549
40-45 3 5 19 30 13 108 75 72
45-50 2 5 3 2 3 93 122
50-55 4 2 42 62
55-60 30 142
60-65 12
65-70 3
70-75 7
75-80 6

Earliest 30 40 30 40 30 40 28 40 25
Mean 35 45 35 55 45 40 40 45 32 55 40
Latest 40 50 40 80 50 45 50 35 70 50
A3 -27
A3-26 Shunt Reactors
Shunt Reactors
50
40
30
Population
20
10
0
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60
Asset Life
Age - YEARS
Age Range
(Years)
0-5 1 9 1 2
5-10 15 12
10-15 2 1 25 12 1
15-20 2 9 17 3
20-25 3 8 1 5 2
25-30 2 2 3 5 3
30-35 15 1
35-40 1

Mean 45 45 45 30 30 40
Latest 50 50 60 35 35
A3 -28
A3-27 Electromechanical Protection, Signalling, Control and Intertripping Equipment
Electromechanical Protection, Control and Intertripping

200
150
%Population
100
50
0
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60
Asset Life
Age - YEARS
Age Range
(Years)
0-5 0% 5%
5-10 0% 14% 3% 5%
10-15 2% 28% 18% 21% 5%
15-20 0% 28% 28% 22% 5%
20-25 17% 50% 14% 5% 3% 21% 10%
25-30 43% 50% 9% 0% 28% 15% 10%
30-35 27% 5% 1% 58% 7% 10%
35-40 12% 48% 8% 3% 10%
40-45 2% 3% 6% 11%
45-50 1% 9%
50-55 22%

Earliest 20 25 30 20 10 20 30
Mean 25 30 35 25 45 20 30 45
Latest 40 35 40 30 40 60
A3 -29
A3-28 Synchronous Compensators
Synchronous Compensators
14
12
10
Population
0
Asset Life
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60
Age - YEARS
Age Range
(Years)
0-5
5-10
10-15 1 1
15-20 1
20-25 4
25-30 1 1 1
30-35 7 4 1
35-40 8 2
40-45 1

Earliest 25 40 40 40 35
Mean 30 50 45 50 40
Latest 35 60 50 45
A3 -30
A3-29 Static VAR Compensators
Static VAR Compensators

12
10
6
Population
0
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
Asset Life
Age - YEARS
Age Range
(Years)
0-5 9 2
5-10 1 7 1
10-15 2 1 1 2
15-20 1 1 3

Mean 25 25 30 40
Latest 30 40 35 45
A3 -31
A3-30 Capacitor Banks
Capacitor Banks
200
150
100
Population
50
0
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45
Asset Life
Age - YEARS
Age Range
(Years)
0-5 4 4 33 44 2
5-10 1 4 41 108 2
10-15 1 11 2
15-20 7 7 5
20-25 4 1
25-30 2 8
30-35 11 3
Estimated Life) Years

Earliest 20 25
Mean 40 25 30
Latest 40 35
A3 -32
Appendix 4.
Case Studies
Case Studies
No. Country Company Plant Particular Strategy Adopted
/ General
1. Canada Ontario Hydro 115 kV Overhead line P Upgrade by replacement
2. Denmark Eltra 150 kV Grid G Redesign network
3. England and Wales National Grid Co. 275 kV Overhead line P Upgrade by refurbishment
4. England and Wales National Grid Co. 275/66 kV Transformers P Renew by replacement
5. England and Wales National Grid Co. 275 kV London network G Redesign network
6. France Electricité de France 225 kV Overhead line P Upgrade by refurbishment
7. Germany Deutsche Verbundgesellschaft 220 kV Network G Redesign network
8. Ireland ESB National Grid 110 kV Overhead lines G Renew or upgrade by refurbishment
9. Ireland ESB National Grid 110 kV Stations G Renew or upgrade by refurbishment
10. Northern Ireland Northern Ireland Electricity 110 kV Overhead lines G Renew by refurbishment
11. Northern Ireland Northern Ireland Electricity 33 kV Circuit breakers G Renewal by refurbishment or replacement
12. Poland Polish Power Grid Corporation 220 kV Overhead lines G Upgrade by refurbishment
13. Poland Polish Power Grid Corporation 220 kV Substations G Upgrade by refurbishment
14. Poland Polish Power Grid Corporation 220 kV Network G Redesign network
15. Slovenia Electroinstitut Milan Vidmar 220 kV Network G Redesign network
16. Slovenia Electroinstitut Milan Vidmar AAC Conductor G
17. United States 230 kV Circuit breakers P Redesign network
CASE STUDY: 1
COUNTRY: CANADA
COMPANY: ONTARIO HYDRO
PLANT: 115 kV OVERHEAD LINE
REFURBISHMENT OF 115 kV OVERHEAD CIRCUIT #A1N,

VANESSA JCT TO NORFOLK TS
1. RESULT TO BE DELIVERED
• To manage the life cycle of the transmission lines cost effectively.

• To minimise the risk of a major interruption of radial supply to municipal and industrial
customers in the Simcoe area.
• To minimise safety hazard to the public from possible component failure of the
transmission line.
• To maintain current system security and customer delivery reliability.
• Refurbish line to meet current design standards for 115 kV wood pole lines of 1/2” ice &
8 psf wind, Class d security.
2. BACKGROUND
In the development of the Transmission Line Refurbishment & Replacement (TLR&R) program,
candidate lines for the TLR&R 1999 program were developed and prioritised using the drivers
stated in the Overhead Transmission Line Refurbishment & Replacement Strategy document dated
October 2, 1998. The conductors of circuit A1N are 58 years old and are at the end of its life as
shown by the laboratory test results. In addition, the results of the condition assessment of the
wood poles, insulators and hardware shows that they are also approaching the end of life. The
condition of the wood poles have degraded to the point that under expected adverse weather
conditions there is a significant risk that the poles will fail and present a hazard to the public and a
lengthy customer interruption. All the 90 wood poles in the line section Vanessa Jct. to Norfolk TS
must be replaced.
The 115 -27.6 kV, 75 MVA Norfolk TS is supplied radially from Allanburg TS via 95 km of 115
kV double circuit line (A8N/A11N) and then a 12 km continuation of 115 kV single circuit wood
pole line (A1N), built in 1940, from Vanessa Jct. to Norfolk TS.
Study indicates that 115 kV supply is the most economical long-term supply for Norfolk TS.
This is a radial supply and a temporary by-pass would be needed to provide an uninterrupted
supply to Norfolk TS during the construction phase. Building a by-pass is very costly. Live line
construction methods will be used to avoid the need to build a temporary by-pass line. Live line
construction methods requires higher poles to be used in order to provide safe working clearances.
New steel poles were considered for this project. Installed costs of steel poles are estimated to be
similar to wood poles. However, development work to date has not produced acceptable safe work
procedures for live-line installation of steel poles. Steel poles will be used if this issue is
successfully addressed in the interim.
The 12-km radial line section passes through a rural high use area. Consequently a broken
conductor would result in customer supply interruptions and would endanger public and employee
safety.
3. ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED & REJECTED:
Alternative #1:
Do Nothing; maintain the ageing transmission lines on an as required basis (repair as they fail).
Public safety and reliability to the customers would be compromised. Component failures require
A4 - 2
emergency restoration and will cause customer supply interruptions. The average cost of
emergency restoration is over 300% of the cost of identical planned work.
In the event of a failure of radial circuit A1N the Norfolk TS supplying the Town of Simcoe and
a large load-sensitive industrial customer will have no source of supply which is an unacceptable
option.
This alternative was eliminated because it does not meet the required results and it does not satisfy
concerns about the risk to public safety, system security or reliability of supply to the customer
load in the Simcoe load area and OH retail area load. OHSC has an obligation to continue
providing a reasonable level of service, including capacity, reliability and security.
4. ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED:
Alternative #2:
Refurbish 12 km of 115 kV single wood pole radial line (A1N), Vanessa Jct. to Norfolk TS.
Replace the conductor with energy efficient conductor sized to meet the required 500 Amp maximum
emergency summer ampacity. Replace all wood poles, insulators, hardware and shield wire.
Alternative #3:
Build a new 230 kV single circuit wood pole line to Norfolk TS from the nearest available 230kv
line (21 km) and convert the station to 230-27.6 kV operation. Remove circuit A1N from service
and dismantle and remove conductors, poles, etc.
Alternative #2 is recommended:
It provides a proactive management of safety concerns from ageing lines in the Simcoe load area.
It contributes to customer satisfaction and their retention as TNAM’s long term customers, in
particular large industrial customers, in the competitive environment.
It is the lowest cost alternative that meets the results to be delivered.
5. FINANCIAL EVALUATION
There are no other future costs which distinguish Alternative 2 from Alternative 3, other than the
initial capital. The financial evaluation has been carried out for Alternatives #2 and #3. The
estimated NPVs for Alternatives #2 & #3 have been calculated and Alternative #2 is recommended
based on least cost.
6. SUSTAINABLE ENERGY DEVELOPMENT

The recommended work has received environmental approval through a Class EA screening
process.
The recommended work will be done in accordance with the existing policies and practices as
in Environmental Guidelines for the Construction and Maintenance of Transmission Facilities.
Any required permits will be obtained. All parties affected will be informed of the Ontario
Hydro plan and construction work.
Energy efficient compact conductors will be used resulting in a reduction in line losses estimated
at 1.8 GWH per year.
Old line components will be recycled where possible to help keep land fill material kept to a
minimum.
7. RISK ANALYSIS
Not proceeding with the recommended work would result in increasing risk to public and
employee safety from component failures and to continuity of supply to the Simcoe loads.
A4 - 3
The recommended work will minimise impact of construction activities on public by
completing refurbishment work in a single project.
There is little risk of stranding this investment because these facilities are the only supply
facilities in the area. Opportunities for establishing alternative transmission lines to supply the
area loads would be economically, technically and environmentally impractical; and
opportunities for NUG development in the area would not eliminate the need for this supply
line. The total load supplied is QMW. The projected load growth in the Simcoe load area is
estimated to be X% per annum.
The work will be carried out by NWS staff who are experienced in this type of work.
8. MONITORING
Scope, cost, schedule, performance, results and legislative/regulatory compliance will be
monitored through standard project management practices.
A4 - 4
CASE STUDY: 2
COUNTRY: DENMARK
COMPANY: ELTRA
PLANT: 150 kV GRID
RECONSTRUCTION OF THE ELTRA 150 kV GRID AND GENERAL UPRATING OF THE

TRANSMISSION SYSTEM.
1. 150 kV LINES IN THE ELTRA AREA

In the Eltra service area there are approx. 1,800 route-km of 150 kV lines. Some of these lines are
constructed in the 1950s and 60s with relatively small conductors, and a maximum operating
temperature in the order of 50-65°C. Today these old 150 kV lines cause bottlenecks in the
transmission system, which is a meshed grid with 150 kV and 400 kV lines.
The opening of the market is becoming an important factor in the exploitation of the transmission
system. Eltra has large capacity interconnections to the neighbouring countries compared to the
peak load. Taking advantage of these capabilities make it urgent that the major bottlenecks be
removed.
In the years to come there is a need for refurbishing both old 150 kV and 400 kV lines. All lines
are constructed with steel lattice towers and concrete foundations. A variety of tower types,
conductors and ground wires are used. This causes different needs of refurbishing. It is common
procedure making condition assessments and then if needed repair deteriorated concrete
foundations, regalvanize steel lattice towers, replace conductors, ground wires and fittings.
The extra outages for repair and refurbishment until the year 2005 is estimated to 465 weeks.
At present some of the 150 kV lines run through residential areas or areas of conservation value.
As in many other countries there is a concern in the public about the health risk of living near lines
and a rejection of the visual impact of HV equipment. Therefore a programme for the
reconstruction of the transmission system has been initiated.
2. CHOICE OF STRATEGY: UPGRADING AND MULTICIRCUIT LINES

The new interconnections and major production units are connected to the 400 kV grid. This is part
of a long-term strategy to move the transports from the 150 kV grid to the 400 kV grid. As part of
this strategy the 400 kV grid is to be completed, forming loops and establishing strong connections
between all the regions.
Eltra and the regional transmission companies are implementing a 20-year programme to remove
60 kV and 150 kV lines from residential and urban areas and areas of conservation value either by
cable-laying or by being suspended from multi-circuit lines.
In addition the cable prices have been reduced significantly over the last few years, and several
150 kV lines are foreseen to be cable-laid in areas, where the overhead lines are of nuisance to
built-up areas.
Combined 400 kV and 150 kV lines sharing common towers are constructed, where underground
cables are too costly or relatively long 150 kV lines are in need of refurbishment or reconstruction.
Today the standard Eltra 400 kV tower is capable of sustaining a maximum of two 400 kV systems
or one 400 kV system and up to two 150 kV systems. This tower type has been in service since
1978.
The combined structures will allow old 150 kV lines to be retired and in some cases even make it
possible to abandon the ROW. This has a positive effect on the landscape as such and concentrates
a number of lines in a single ROW. Old 400 kV lines constructed as single lines are planned to be
replaced with new multi-circuit lines.
A4 - 5
3. FACTORS INFLUENCING CHOICE:
System requirements:
The 400 kV grid is still missing some lines to close the 400 kV loops, and thereby providing a rigid
supergrid for transmission. The completion will improve the transmission capacity considerably
and allow for almost full exploitation of the interconnections to Norway, Sweden and Germany
and at the same time give improved grid access to the new and most efficient power stations.
In the coming years Eltra and Elsam in co-operation will construct two offshore wind farms as
demonstration projects for a large-scale development of 2000 MW offshore wind farms. This will
stress the transmission system further, since surplus electricity production during hours with high
winds and low load will have to be exported.
Cost:
Acceptable costs for the reconstructing of the 150 kV grid while at the same time completing the
400 kV grid. Saving costs for refurbishment and instead retire old lines.
Planning permission:
Regional authorities often link together/connect new 400 kV projects with the removal of 150 kV
lines. This has in several cases been advantageous in the political process of obtaining permissions.
Technology:
Overhead lines are the most reliable technique.
Outages:
One disadvantage is forced outages for all systems in connection with a few types of maintenance
and repair works. However, this can often be scheduled for periods with low load or co-ordinated
with other outages.
Financing:
Refurbishment is a cost to the line owner. The regional transmission companies own the 150 kV
lines. New lines are generally constructed with a 70% contribution from Eltra.
4. THE PROJECT
New 400 kV lines are planned together with the reconstruction of 150 kV lines. This makes it
possible to retire 150 kV lines from residential areas and areas of conservation value. The 400 kV
grid is expected to be completed by the year 2010.
A4 - 6
CASE STUDY: 3
COUNTRY: ENGLAND AND WALES
COMPANY: NATIONAL GRID
TRANSMISSION LINE REFURBISHMENT PROGRAMME

National Grid has approx. 13,400 circuit km of transmission lines operating at 110kV and above,
of which over 5% is the older Lynx (175sq mm) conductor and 60% of this was constructed
before 1965.
Refurbishment of the older lines is required as the conductors before 1965 were only greased on
the steel core and are more susceptible to internal corrosion. The programme involves the
replacement of conductors and corroded tower steelwork. This case study is an example of one
such route, operating at 275kV.
1. ASSESSMENT OF ASSET CONDITION

Condition assessments from 1988, culminated in advice in 1996 that the line could only remain in
service for a further 5 years if subjected to current enhanced maintenance.
Performance history of outage time to repair fault and defect damage over the last 10 years show
reliability had not achieved the specified reliability target of 99.95% for overhead lines with the
actual unreliability being between 400% to 600% higher than targeted.
Deterioration had resulted in line operating outside acceptable limits.
Refurbishment is therefore necessary in or before 2001. The OHL is 45 years old and therefore this
condition based advice supports current NGC technical guidance on anticipated life of this type of
conductor in its particular environment.
There was concern that deferment of refurbishment beyond this time would result in operating
beyond acceptable safety margins.
The route is required to maintain transfers from Scotland to England and unplanned outages
restrict these important transfers.
Steel towers and foundations were generally in good condition with about 10% replacement
necessary.
A number of alternative strategies to address the deterioration of the line were considered:
• Retirement – redesign system to be adequate without the line
• Rebuild and enhance the line – uprate to 400kV, increase rating.
• Refurbish like for like retaining the existing conductor, with the option of increasing current
carrying capacity by increasing conductor size and strengthening tower steelwork and
foundations.
• Extend life with enhanced maintenance.
The line is required to meet existing system needs and transfers from Scotland. Expectations of
greater future Scottish transfers would require a 400kV or uprated route.
A4 - 7
Cost:
Refurbishment with larger conductors at 275kV giving over 40% increase in rating is more
expensive than like for like but is cost beneficial in reducing requirements for SVC installations
and produces a less brittle system.
Consents:
Rebuilding the existing line to 400kV would require new consents and wayleaves, which could
take at least 4 to 5 years to obtain with a public inquiry being necessary. This timescale would not
be acceptable as the line deterioration before eventual rebuilding would be unacceptable.
Environment:
Uprating the existing line with larger conductors does not require new consents or wayleaves, and
in an area that is classed as an agreed World Heritage site will be more acceptable to the
community than a new 400kV route with larger towers.
Technology:
Replacing the existing Aluminium Conductor Steel Reinforced (ACSR) line with conductors of
All Aluminium Alloy Conductor (AAAC) with slightly larger diameter but greatly increased rating
capacity, whilst requiring significant tower and foundation strengthening reduces the need to
uprate the line to 400kV.
Outages:
Outages for refurbishment are available but need to be arranged with those necessary for the
commissioning of another new 400kV route South of this area that is under construction and will
enable greater Scottish transfers.
Financial:
Line refurbishment may be treat as capital but as the route will be uprated the project will attract a
significant higher level of taxation.
Safety:
Refurbishment enables the required level of safety to be maintained.
4. THE PROJECT
Refurbishment with larger AAAC conductors is recommended for this particular route given the
potential request from the Scottish Companies to increase transfers. It will provide the most
economical and environmentally acceptable system for the UK supply industry, with an overall
Net Present Value cost saving if anticipated transfers are required. It provides a less brittle
transmission system and reduces losses, though it will involve significantly more work on the
towers and foundations and increases scheme costs.
A4 - 8
CASE STUDY: 4
PLANT: 275/66 kV TRANSFORMERS
ASSESSMENT OF A GRID SUPPLY WITH RESPECT TO THE NEED TO REPLACE THE

SUPPLY POINT TRANSFORMERS.
1. RESULTS TO BE DELIVERED.
• Assessment of the condition of transformers at the Supply point

• Assessment of the possible courses of action to safeguard the reliability of supply.
• Recommendation of the scope of works required (transformers and their associated auxiliary
equipment).
2. ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
The following criteria are used to determine whether or not the transformers at a particular grid
supply point require modification or replacement.
• The transformer installation must meet the obligations to comply with the transmission
Licence by meeting planning and operational standards within the Grid Code.
• The reliability of the individual transformers at the site must together meet the requirements
for the overall reliability of the supply point.
• In the case of failure of one transformer, there must not be an unacceptable risk of failure of
the whole supply point to meet demand due to a second failure within the time it takes to
replace the first transformer.
• It must be possible to take a planned outage for maintenance or construction works without
incurring an unacceptable risk of losing demand due to the failure of one of the transformers
remaining in service.
• The transformers must meet NGC safety performance criteria and its duty to comply with
Health and Safety legislation.
• The transformers must meet NGC environmental performance criteria and its duty to comply
with Environmental legislation.
• The present installation or any proposed modifications must meet the business requirements of
NGC and its customers. Requirements will include the consideration of full life time costs
including the cost and practicality of maintenance and the requirements for outages.
3. BACKGROUND
The 275 kV substation was originally commissioned in the late 1960's to feed a Regional
Electricity 66 kV grid supply point which supplies a predominantly rural and light industrial
demand. There is an ongoing requirement for supplies at 66 kV on the site into the foreseeable
future.
Transformers 1 and 2 are identical in terms of manufacturer, age and loading history.
The expected long term reliability of these transformers was reviewed and options for
improvements considered.
A4 - 9
4. SPARES COVER
One spare 275/66 kV 120 MVA transformer is currently available.
This spare covers a population of 24 such units in service.
Current experience indicates the expected time for replacement of a failed transformer with the
spare, assuming the spare is available is normally up to 12 weeks.
5. SITE / MAINTENANCE/ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

Access limitations: No problem anticipated.
Proximity issues: No problems anticipated.
Estimated time to replace: Up to 12 weeks as above.
PCB: Results are in this report.
Oil bunds: All three Transformers have recently repaired bunds
Noise:- All three Transformers have Noise enclosures.
6. ANALYSIS
Since two of the three transformers at the supply point ( SGT1 and SGT3 ) have uncertainties
about their long term reliability, all three have limited overloading capabilities, and one ( SGT3 )
shows signs of accelerated deterioration at current loadings, the supply point must be considered to
have a higher than normal probability of transformer failure, and also a higher than normal
probability of a second transformer failure.
During winter intact conditions ( 3 SGTs in service), loss of one SGT results in no loss of demand.
However, a second failure or loss with one unit on outage would result in approx. 100MW of
demand having to be rota disconnected until additional SGT capacity is restored.
In summer with one unit on outage loss of one of the remaining SGTs incurs approx. 40MW
demand lost ( auto load shed ). REC would transfer as much demand to the adjacent supply point
as their network will allow to protect as far as possible against a second transformer fault. This
transferred demand is at risk to single fault outages (66kVnetwork fully loaded).
There is therefore a strong case for considering options for improving the expected long term
reliability of the transformers at the substation.
7. OPTIONS
The standard options and their likely impact are:
a. Do nothing beyond carrying on with existing NGC maintenance policy and the associated
functional/work specifications.
Will not improve expected reliability.
b. Increase the frequency of maintenance and inspection.
Not expected to improve reliability significantly, and may even increase the probability of
transformer failures by increasing the loading on the transformers not on outage.
c. Refurbish/repair to give life extension/increased reliability.
Remedial action unlikely to be economic/successful for SGT1 dielectric fault and life
extension unlikely to reduce SGT3 insulation ageing.
d. System rationalisation (NGC or REC ).
May not be feasible, but any reduction of site demand or improvement in site transfers
would be expected to reduce probability of transformer failures, particularly probability
of loss of second transformer.
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e. Increase spares holding.
The availability of a second spare would reduce the duration of loss of demand on second
transformer failure, but would not reduce likelihood of such failure
f. Carry out a replacement programme.
Replacement of one transformer ( preferably SGT1 ) would virtually eliminate the
enhanced probability of second failures and therefore loss of demand.
8. RECOMMENDATIONS
Due to the condition and age of the SGTs and their associated auxiliary equipment, replacement of
SGT1 is recommended by the year 2003/4 to ensure the long term integrity of supplies to the 66
kV GSP.
A4 - 11
CASE STUDY: 5
PLANT: 275 kV NETWORK IN LONDON
LONDON INFRASTRUCTURE
National Grid has commenced upon one of its most complex projects to ensure it is able to meet
the demand for improved and secure electricity supplies to London for the next century. This case
study gives an overview of the project, which includes building of new substations and a linking
400kV cable.

Deterioration of key 275kV cables due to age related mechanisms, connecting London substations
has led to concerns that supplies would be at risk if the deterioration continued and replacement
was not undertaken. In the medium term the age of many 275kV substation assets indicate that
they would also require replacement.
Alternative strategies to address the situation were considered:
1) Like for like replacement at 275kV
2) Development to 400kV
Demand growth in central London is expected to rise, particularly due to computerisation and air
conditioning, and with no generation to support this, security of supply is dependant upon the NGC
and London Electricity network.
Cost:
Consideration of various options and the associated incidence of expenditure was taken into
account to decide the final strategy.
Consents:
A new 20 km tunnel with associated wayleave requirements is required for the chosen option, but
severe congestion would occur if roads were to be excavated for in-situ cable replacement.
Environment:
To minimise disturbance a tunnel was chosen for the cable route and to minimise noise an indoor
substation has been specified.
Technology:
Both options would allow the adoption of modern technology switchgear and cables, with
consequent improvements in reliability and availability.
Outages:
Outages for future like for like replacement work would be extensive, putting demand at risk over
several years and therefore options to reduce this requirement were investigated.
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4. THE PROJECT
By overlaying the existing 275kV system with a new 400kV system, outage requirements have
been minimised, and reliability will be increased as existing assets are replaced in a controlled and
phased manner. The 400kV option also provides for long-term demand growth and ensures
demand shortfall in the short term is not encountered.
A4 - 13
CASE STUDY: 6
COUNTRY: FRANCE
COMPANY: ÉLECTRICITÉ DE FRANCE
A 225 kV OHL REFURBISHMENT
The electric supply of the Dôle area (French Jura) relies on the 225 kV EHV transmission network.
The peak load of this area is about 350 MW. The overhead line that ensures the main supply is
overloaded under normal operating conditions (N status) and in case of line tripping (N-1 status).
Furthermore, this line includes several lengths of conductors from the 1930’s with low cross-
section. The Asset Manager considers this line as an ageing asset.
The problem is therefore to propose the best middle range plan for supplying the considered area
while solving the question of ageing asset.

Special investigations have shown no evidence of crucial problems with regard to the mechanical
strength of towers (towers structure or towers foundations) or hardware.
The “ageing” diagnosis mainly relies on what have been experienced with the same kind of
conductors:
- the maintenance activities have shown that old Aluminium-Steel (ASCR ?) conductors present
high risk of corrosion,
- the low cross section conductors cannot resist to the mechanical stress due to ice or snow.
Performance history shows that there is a high risk of mechanical breakdown for this kind of
conductors
Four alternative plans have been considered in order to provide an answer to this problem:
- retirement and advancement of a 400 kV overhead line with a regional 400/225 kV supply,
- retirement of the line and expansion of the regional 225 kV network, the regional supply
relying on an existing 400/225 kV existing source,
- rebuild and enhance the line, the regional supply relying on an other existing 400/225 kV
source,
- refurbish the line, changing the existing conductors, in order to improve the current carrying
capacity.
3. FACTORS INFLUENCING CHOICE

The 400 kV strategy was first selected though it was more expensive than the other alternatives.
The main reason was that this strategy was consistent with the 400 kV middle range master plan
and that the extra cost due to the anticipation was reasonable.
Several factors led to change the selected strategy in a second time:
- system adequacy :
- no need to justify the advancement of the 400 kV line; the slowing-down of the national
demand growth rate results in postponing the implementation of the 400 kV master plan. The
anticipated cost would therefore have been very high.
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- no need to significantly improve the current carrying capacity of the line because of the
slowing down of load growth and the expansion of local generation (cogeneration).
- environmental issues : the building of a new line or the rebuilding of the existing line with
improved current carrying capacity have turned to be impossible. It would have been very
hard to get the planning permission because of the sensitivity of the area to environmental
issues.
- cost : the implementation of a new national policy in order to reduce the transmission costs
which results in the need to drastically cut the capital investments for regional transmission
networks.
- Technology: complementary in-depth investigations performed by asset managers have shown
that most of the towers could support conductors with a standard 366 mm2 cross-section (a few
towers require to be slightly reinforced).
4. THE PROJECT
Refurbish the line and improving the maximum current capacity by changing the conductors,
changing conductor supports and mechanically reinforcing some towers
A4 - 15
CASE STUDY: 7
COUNTRY: GERMANY
COMPANY: DEUTSCHE VERBUNDGESELLSCHAFT
PLANT: 220 kV NETWORK
THE FUTURE OF THE 220 kV VOLTAGE LEVEL OF THE GERMAN TRANSMISSION

GRID
1. PREFACE
The development of the high voltage network is determined by the increasing demand of the
electrical energy in the past. The operation of the network will be done using the 220 kV and 380
kV voltage level. The 110 kV voltage level belongs nowadays to the distribution area.
The tasks of the voltage levels are as follows:
380 kV:
- national and international transmission tasks
- connection to power plants up to 1300 MW
- feeding the 220 kV and 110 kV voltage levels
- connection to big cities and industries
220 kV:
- national and international transmission tasks
- connection to power plants up to 700 MW
- feeding the 110 kV voltage level
- connection of big cities and industries
110 kV:
- regional distribution of electrical energy and regional transmission in rural areas
- connection of power plants up to 700 MW in general
- feeding the medium voltage networks
- connection to big communities
- connection to industrial customers
- reserve function of the 220 kV and 380 kV networks.
The possible development of the high voltage network was investigated by several studies in the
past. The result was that the 380 kV voltage level will be the most important high voltage grid in
the future, while the importance of the 220 kV grid will be reduced. This assumption is confirmed
by the decreasing of the relative proportion of the 220 kV voltage level in the high voltage grid. In
1970 the 220 kV proportion was more than 82 %, 1980 about 66 % and 1991 this proportion was
only 58 % (West Germany).
This development is referred according to the technical, operational and economical advantage of
the 380 kV voltage level as:
- greater transmission capacity
- better voltage stability
- connection to larger power plants
- lower transmission losses
- lower specific right of ways
A4 - 16
compared to the 220 kV voltage level. Whereas the first installation of the 220 kV grid was started
in Germany in the twenties of this century, the first installation started at the end of the fifties.
According to the age of several 220 kV equipments these elements has to be replaced in the future.
As the tasks of the 380 kV and 220 kV networks are more or less equal and there will be no
increasing of the energy demand in the future the question has to be solved, if the change over to
the 380 kV voltage level will be wise according to the planning, technical and economical reasons.
This was the reason of the DVG (German Transmission Company) to perform a study concerning
the tendency and development of the 220 kV voltage. The basis of this study was as follows:
- proportion of the 220 kV voltage of the transmission network today
- development of the 220 kV and 380 kV voltage level (development up to now, future
tendency)
- age of the 220 kV equipments
- average technical lifetime of the 220 kV elements
- reasons for changing, reducing or keeping up the 220 kV voltage level.
The result of the evaluation will be summarised in the following chapters.
2. PROPORTION OF 220 kV VOLTAGE LEVEL (TODAY)

The percentage of the transformers feeding the 220 kV voltage level is 51 % higher than the
transformers feeding the 380 kV network. But the active power via the 220 kV transformers is
about 66 % of the relevant 380 kV transformers. This difference is caused according to the rating
and number of the connected power plants.
The number of 220 kV substations is about 10 times higher than the number of the equivalent 380
kV substations. Within Germany the number of couplings (220 kV, 380 kV) to different utilities is
equal. In opposite to this the number of 220 kV couplings to international partners is about 50 %
higher than those of 380 kV.
According to these facts the importance of the 220 kV voltage level is comparable to the 380 kV
level, if the number of feeding power plants and couplings to other utilities are concerned.
3. DEVELOPMENT OF THE 220 kV AND 380 kV LEVELS

There was a strong increase of the 220 kV circuit lines between, 1960 and about 1980, which was
reduced afterwards. There will be an evident reduction in the future, which is in accordance with a
replacement of about 400 km/year of lines.
The increase of the 380 kV voltage level was in parallel to 220 kV in the time range 1960 to 1980.
Since 1980 the increase is slightly reduced, but will continue in the next century. The increase
corresponds with an installation of about 340 km/year of lines.
The length of the 220 kV overhead lines, which towers are designed for 380 kV, reached the
maximum in 1980. Since this year there is a slow and constant decrease, which will be continued
in the future. The successive change of these overhead lines from 220 kV to 380 kV will promote
the reduction of the 220 kV system and the increase of the 380 kV voltage level.
The situation of the 220 kV substations is equal to the 220 kV system length. There will be an
evident reduction in the future, which will correspond to a replacement or change of 3 substations
a year in average. Only some 220 kV substations are designed for the 380 kV operation in the past.
The number of 380 kV substations increased not so fast in comparison to the 220 kV substations
between 1960 and 1980. Since 1980 the increase was doubled and will be continued in the future.
This corresponds to an installations or conversion of about 5 substations each year.
The development of the feeding power plants (220 kV and 380 kV) is equal to the system length
and the substations, the part of the power plants connected to the 220 kV level will be reduced,
whereas this value will increase concerning the 380 kV network.
A4 - 17
4. AGE OF THE 220 kV VOLTAGE LEVEL
The time range between the introduction of the 220 kV and the 380 kV level is about 30 years. On
this reason the average age of the 220 kV equipment is remarkable higher than those of 380 kV.
The age of the 220 kV equipment can be derived from table 1.
Table 1: Structure of the 220 kV equipments (number of elements)
Equipment ≤ 30 years > 30 years
380/220 kV network transformers 81 3
220 kV power plant transformers 110 19
220 kV substations 217 98
220 kV couplings (national) 19 17
220 kV couplings (international) 14 8
220 kV overhead lines 1) 3355 6798
1) system length in km
The elements, which are older than 30 years, is between 3 % (380/220 kV network transformers)
and about 47 % (national couplings). More than 67 % of the overhead lines are older than 30 years.
5. AVERAGE TECHNICAL LIFETIME OF 220 kV EQUIPMENTS

Table 2 presents the minimum and maximum lifetime of the elements.
Table 2: Average technical lifetime of the equipments in years
equipment minimum maximum
220 kV power plant transformers 21 40
overhead lines, towers 45 80
overhead lines, conductors 40 60
switching equipment 20 40
Substation, construction 30 40
Secondary equipment 15 30
The comparison with the today structure of the age comes to the conclusion, that 220/110 kV
network transformers, power plant transformers, and overhead lines will reach their end of the
lifetime and should be upgraded or replaced.
6. REASONS OF THE REPLACEMENT, REDUCTION, AND MAINTENANCE

RESPECTIVELY OF THE 220 kV VOLTAGE LEVEL
To calculate the economical use of the replacement or upgrading of electrical equipments
respectively the development of important operational and specific factors is required even during
the planning time. Important reasons of German utilities for the maintenance of the 220 kV voltage
level and choice of a higher voltage level respectively are listed in table 3. The ranking is equal to
the importance, and the importance of technical and economical reasons is equal.
A4 - 18
Eight of nine German transmission utilities are operating the 220 kV network. Four of eight
explain to replace the 220 kV in the future. One company intends to reduce the network whereas
one company will it keep up. Two companies wish to replace the 220 kV network, but due to
several constraints, they have to keep up these equipments in the future too. Five utilities intend to
use the 220 kV overhead lines by changing to 110 kV. The change to 380 kV is also intended.
Table 3: Reasons for the replacement, reducing or partial maintenance of the 220 kV
level
Reasons for replacement reasons for maintenance

changing of the transmission task to the 380 kV sufficient transmission capacity in areas with
level less
load density
380 kV connection to great power plants economical use of new equipment with related
lifetime
greater transmission capacity existing power plants (150-300 MW) with 220
kV
transformers
reducing the 110 kV level by 380/110 kV great 220 kV customers
substations
reducing the amount of elements no realization of right of ways
reducing network losses considering the network of partners
cost minimizing problems to renew the old equipments
reducing the occupied area missing infra-structure if new 220 kV
substations have to beinstalled
better voltage stability weight problems in case of transportation of
equipments
better using the right of ways high follow up investment costs (changing the
complete
network)
fully occupied capacity of the 380 kV network
difficulties of reconstruction of old substations
reducing of maintenance costs
using of pre-investment costs and avoiding
replacement costs
7. CONCLUSION
The relative part of the 380 kV level has constantly increased in Germany over the last three
decades. This happens mainly during the time of high increase of energy consumption in the sixties
and seventies, which is reduced in the past and should not be expected in the future. For the reason
of the high lifetime many 220 kV elements need to be refurbished or replaced, what is combined
with high investment costs. Therefore the existing standard and the future development of the 220
kV level was evaluated taken into consideration planning, technical and economical aspects. The
nine German transmission utilities make the data available.
The result is, that the 220 kV and 380 kV voltage levels have more or less the same importance.
The today importance of the 220 kV level can be derived from the number of national and
international couplings and feeding substations to important customers. According to the age of the
220 kV level it can be expected that many equipments reach the borderline of their statistical and
technical lifetime and should be refurbished or replaced.
The decision regarding replacement or reduction of the 220 kV equipments can not be done by one
single utility but has to be a common decision of the neighbouring utilities and customers due to
the connecting constraints. Therefore some utilities have to keep up the 220 kV equipments in the
future.
A4 - 19
Four of eight utilities, which use 220 kV elements, intend to change the 220 kV level. This process
will take about 20 to 30 years. One company will reduce the 220 kV network, whereas one will
keep it up. Two companies want to change the 220 kV level, but their are forced by different
reasons to use some parts over a long time. Five companies are planning new 220 kV elements on
a small scale. And five will change 220 kV overhead lines to 110 kV. The technical and
economical reasons for the changing, the reduction, and partial maintenance respectively of the
220 kV level are equal.
In the whole the 220 kV voltage level will lose importance whereas the 380 kV level will win. Its
part (relative and absolute) will be reduced. In a long time it will be stabilised at a lower level than
today.
A4 - 20
CASE STUDY: 8
COUNTRY: IRELAND
COMPANY: ESB NATIONAL GRID
PLANT: 110 kV OVERHEAD LINES
110KV WOOD POLE TRANSMISSION LINE REFURBISHMENT PROGRAMME
ESB National Grid has approx. 3,600 km of 110 kV transmission lines, of which over 1,000 km or
30% was constructed before 1960.
In recent years, a programme of refurbishing older 110 kV wood-pole transmission lines has been
initiated. The programme involves the replacement of poles and pole-top hardware. The line
conductor is not being replaced. Much of the work is carried out live.
• Maintenance activities are based on data from line patrols (air/ground), pole strength tests and
hardware inspection
• There was a perception that condition was rapidly deteriorating. There was an increasing
incidence of pole/hardware replacement. It was becoming clear that normal maintenance
would not be adequate unless it was significantly increased.
• Special condition assessments were carried out on selected lines to determine their true
condition.
Thus the assessment of asset condition was based on performance history, routine inspection and
maintenance and special inspection and diagnostic assessment.
The overall condition assessment showed that the condition of the 110 kV lines was outside
acceptable limits.
• Many poles had residual strengths outside safety limits.
• Maintenance resources required were becoming unsustainable in terms of cost, availability of
skilled staff and availability of outages.
• Conductors, steel towers and foundations were generally in good condition.
Thus the concept of refurbishment programme was born.
A number of alternative strategies to address the deterioration of the 110 kV lines were considered:
• Retirement – redesign system to be adequate without the line
• Rebuild the line like for like
• Rebuild and enhance the line – add earthwires, add optical fibre, increase current carrying
capacity, use heavier conductor or larger poles
• Refurbish like for like retaining the existing conductor, with the option of increasing current
carrying capacity by increasing ground clearances.

System requirements: The lines continue to be required to ensure system adequacy.
Cost: Refurbishment is cheaper than the other options.
Planning permission: Any significant change in the existing line would require planning
permission. (Many lines being refurbished were built before planning permission was required for
A4 - 21
transmission lines.) The planning permission might be refused, or might incorporate expensive
conditions. The fact of applying for planning permission might provide an opportunity for
objections to existing lines that have received general public acceptance.
Technology: The fact that the existing conductor is in acceptable condition limits the range of
options.
Outages: Long-term outages for refurbishment are not available. This limits he refurbishment to
work that can be carried out live.
Financial: Full line refurbishment may be treated as a capital project. A capital project is more
acceptable than increased expenditure on maintenance.
4. THE PROJECT
Refurbish lines and uprate to maximum current carrying capacity of conductor by increasing
ground clearances.
Carry out using live using live line techniques
Prioritise the work on basis of input from Planning and Operations Departments
Capitalise the work
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CASE STUDY: 9
COUNTRY: IRELAND
COMPANY: ESB NATIONAL GRID
PLANT: 110 kV STATIONS
110 kV STATION REFURBISHMENT PROGRAMME

National Grid has a long-term goal of replacing its L3 distance relays, many of which have been on
the system for up to forty years. These relays are beginning to become unreliable, unstable in
operation and spare parts are now difficult if not impossible to obtain. To date this replacement
programme has been implemented on an ad hoc basis, i.e. replacing only those relays which are
deemed most urgent either for system or individual requirement reasons. The HV plant in the
substations has also been in service for up to forty years and is also beginning to show signs of age.
For this reason a decision was taken in 1998 to survey all stations with L3 relays with a view to
establishing the condition of all plant and itemising those items of plant which had reached the end
of their useful lives and were in need of replacement.
The result of that review is a decision to implement a formal Transmission Station Refurbishment
Project for older 110kV stations on the NG network.

A detailed survey was carried out of 23 of the older 110 kV stations on the transmission system.
These stations were constructed in the 1950s and contain the original plant.
Initially, it was decided to embark on the L3 replacement programme as a stand-alone project.
However experience had shown that piecemeal refurbishment of a transmission station (i.e.
replacing protection equipment first followed some time later by HV replacement) was
considerably more expensive and disruptive than complete refurbishment of a bay.
Of those stations due for L3 replacement a survey was carried out of all equipment and for each
station a table produced indicating precisely which items of plant should be replaced and which
could be retained.
The following were the broad criteria used in the analysis :
Circuit Breakers: Age, complexity, cost of maintenance, availability of spare parts.
Disconnects: Age, cost of maintenance .
Instrument Transformers
CTs: Insufficient Cores, Secondary Current (1A required), General Condition
VTs : General Condition
Battery Systems: Batteries changed anyway every 20-to25 years. Replace only if due for
replacement
Control Cables: Existing Cables are original unscreened. Replace with screened PVC or XLPE
cables.
A number of possible options are available to deal with this issue
• Retirement : redesign the network to be adequate without the station.
• Rebuild the station on a separate though adjacent site.
• Refurbish with enhancements – In a situation such as this refurbishment with enhancement is
the only option as like for like refurbishment cannot be carried out as the older equipment
being removed is no longer available and newer equipment has more features than the older
plant.
A4 - 23
3. FACTORS INFLUENCING CHOICE
System Requirements : Power System Planning will be consulted before each individual project
is undertaken to confirm the need for the station.
Cost : Refurbishment is a significantly cheaper option than rebuilding partly due to the fact that
some existing plant in all stations can be retained.
Planning Permission : A station rebuild would require planning permission. This might be
difficult to obtain and could provide a focus for objections against stations which to date have
received public acceptance.
Technology : Refurbishment provides the opportunity to introduce new technologies such as
integrated control and protection schemes etc.
Outages : There would be long-term outages associated with changing over to a new substation. In
the case of the refurbishment option, a mobile bay, complete with full protection facilities is used
to bypass individual bays meaning that the refurbishment can be carried out with disrupting
supply.
Financial : Refurbishment may be treated as a Capital Project.
4. THE PROJECT
Refurbish the Substations based on the requirements identified in the earlier survey
Carry out using mobile bypass bay to minimise outages
Confirm with Planning Department the long-term need for the substation and any short-term
developments planned for the station.
Capitalise the work.
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CASE STUDY: 10
COUNTRY: NORTHERN IRELAND
COMPANY: NORTHERN IRELAND ELECTRICITY
110 kV WOOD POLE TRANSMISSION LINE REFURBISHMENT PROGRAMME

NIE has approximately 518km of 110kV overhead single circuit transmission lines with over 50%
greater than 40 years of age. Foot patrols of these lines highlighted problems with the condition of
both poles and insulators. This led to the current asset replacement programme.
• Patrols by both helicopter and foot where supplemented by targeted climbing inspections of
suspect structures.
• Detailed inspection led to the grading of decay present in poles and a prioritising of pole
replacement on a line.
• Problems with outages and access at ground level mean that it may take four years to complete
a line
• Some lines needed to be re-strung due to system requirements.
• Small amounts of ungreased conductor exist at this voltage and urgent replacement is required
due to condition.
Condition, criticality and age were all taken into account when prioritising work
2. STRATEGY
Strategies considered and the factors influencing the strategy are similar to the ESB’s refurbishment
programme. However the limited outages available on the network did not affect the decision to
continue with current working practices, as they do not require any additional expenditure on tools or
training.
3. PROJECT
Refurbish the 110kV single circuit overhead lines that are in poor condition based on an order
allowing for condition, criticality and age.
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CASE STUDY: 11
COUNTRY: NORTHERN IRELAND
COMPANY: NORTHERN IRELAND ELECTRICITY
PLANT: 33 kV CIRCUIT BREAKERS
33KV OUTDOOR CIRCUIT BREAKER REFURBISHMENT
1. INTRODUCTION
The Northern Ireland Electricity rural network has a variety of circuit breakers on the 33kV
distribution system. By far the most prevalent is the South Wales Switchgear E01 large oil volume
circuit breaker.
• The age profile is as detailed below. All the circuit breakers were installed between 1955
and 1976 i.e. are 23 to 44 years old.
140
120
100
Number
80
60
40
20
0
1955-60 1961-65 1966-1970 1971-1976
Year
• The E01 breaker accounts for 90% of the total population of outdoor 33kV oil circuit
breakers.
• The circuit breakers are on a 4 year cycle for maintenance.
• The current NIE policy for asset replacement for outdoor circuit breakers at 33kV is a
normal life expectancy of 40 years with no units expected to remain on the system beyond
45 years.
• The condition of most of the breakers is good however there are ongoing problems with:
- moisture absorption from tank oil on the bushings and leakage of bushing oil
- unit becoming obsolete due to lack of spares
Two strategies were considered in dealing with these particular units:
• Refurbishment: replacement of original copper breaker contacts with hardened tungsten
tipped contacts.
• Replacement: Phased replacement of selected units.
A4 - 26
Performance : The level of post fault maintenance on many units had been particularly high as a
result of the frequent outages during winter storms. An investigation was carried out to identify
potential suppliers of hardened contacts for retrofit/ refurbishment, such as those used in current
SF6 technology.
Environmental: NIE have been pursuing a policy of replacement of outdoor 33kV meshes with
alternative arrangements in specific areas for purely environmental considerations. The options
include replacement with indoor 33kV switchrooms and low profile ground mounted reclosers
Technology: Technology has influenced the refurbishment and replacement decisions. In the case
of refurbishment, the ability to satisfactorily upgrade contacts by ‘defusing’ of tungsten tips has
allowed this increased performance. In the case of replacement, compact 33kV SF6 switchboards
have been incorporated in ‘barn’ type switchrooms thus eliminating the outdoor mesh
arrangement. In addition, by cabling out of the substation to a distance of 200m or more, the hub
and spoke effect presented around a substation by incoming overhead lines is reduced. The use of
33kV ground mounted reclosers in place of E01 breakers has also reduced the visual impact of
transformer feeder substations.
Age: A replacement programme of aged outdoor 33kV breakers is underway in rural areas where
the meshes will remain and there is sufficient existing stock of outdoor 33kV circuit breakers.
5. PROJECT:
Refurbishment:
• A number of units were re-type tested at CESI, Italy with original and hardened contacts.
Tests carried out to IEC56 (30% and 60% short circuit duty). This bandwidth covered 90%
of the substations where these breakers are installed.
• Based on the results of testing, the superior performance of the hardened contacts resulted
in pushing post fault maintenance from 4 fault operations to 15 operations.
• Maintenance interval now dependent on mechanism requirements rather than contacts. Trip
coil profiling being introduce to impact on time based maintenance interval.
• To date, approximately 30% of all E01 units have had their tips replaced. The programme
started with breakers with high fault levels and high number of operations. The remaining
units are being upgraded when maintained but also taking into account any proposed asset
replacement.
• As a result of this initiative, no post fault maintenance has been carried out over the past 3
years. The confidence levels of operational and control staff in the equipment’s
performance have also been increased.
Replacement:
• The replacement of E01 circuit breakers is based on system need, environmental issues and
age.
• In conjunction with system development, indooring of outdoor meshes is common in areas
where the impact on the local environment is can be reduced.
• Replacement of E01 breakers with new SF6 units is progressed in rural areas based on age
and condition to utilise existing stock.
• Replacement of the remainder will be dependent on age, condition and system
development.
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CASE STUDY: 12
COUNTRY: POLAND
COMPANY: POLISH POWER GRID CORPORATION
220 kV TRANSMISSION LINE REFURBISHMENT PROJECT

PPGC National Grid has opprox.8192 km of 220 kV transmission lines,(data for 1997) of which
over 6500 km or 80 % was constructed before 1973.
In recent years a programme of refurbishment of some of the oldest transmission lines has been
initiated. This case involves the replacement of line conductor, insulators, earthwires conductors
and some steel towers and foundations.

(The line Miłosna – Ostrołęka, length of the line 126 km)
• Maintenance activities are based on data from line patrols (air/ground ) and inspection.
• There was a perception that insulation condition was rapidly deteriorating. There was an
increasing incident of isolator’s replacement.
Thus the assessment of asset condition was based on performance history, routine inspection and
diagnostic assessment.
The overall condition assessment showed that the condition of the insulators was out side
acceptable limits.
• Soviet Union produced insulators in the 1960 – ties were very poor quality.
• Conductors because of manufacturing faults from the very beginning are very poor quality.
Thus the concept of refurbishment projects was born.
A number of alternative strategies to address the deterioration of the 220 kV line were considered
mainly:
• Redesign for 400 kV on the same route.
• Rebuild and enhance the line; replace conductors, earthwires add optical fibre, increase
current capacity, replace insulators, in some places increase ground clearances and improve
foundations.

System requirements: The line continues to be required to ensure system adequacy with moderate
increasing of capacity
Cost: Rebuild is cheaper then other options.
Planning permission: Any significant change in the existing line route or voltage level requires
planning permission. Planning permission might be refused from ecological constrains or might
incorporate continuing long permission procedure requiring time and increasing costs.
Landowners especially in Poland, where ownership law during communist regime was relative,
now require sometimes-speculative prices or do not want give any permission for line location.
The fact of applying for planning permission might provide any opportunity for objection to
existing lines that have received general public acceptance because of existing fact.
Technology: The fact that the existing steel towers are generally in acceptable condition limits the
range of options.
A4 - 28
Outages: The outages required for refurbishment are much shorter that those required for the re-
construction of the line for 400 kV. (3 – 4 months )
Financial: Full line refurbishment may be treated as a capital project. A capital project is more
acceptable than increased expenditure on maintenance.
4. THE PROJECT
Refurbish line and uprate the maximum current carrying capacity with larger conductor and by
increasing ground clearances. Replacement of insulators will increase the reliability of line and the
adding of optical fibre will increase general value of interconnection.
A4 - 29
CASE STUDY: 13
COUNTRY: POLAND
PLANT: 220 kV SUBSTATIONS
220 kV SUBSTATION REFURBISHMENT PROGRAMME)

PPGC National Grid has 64 substations of 220/110 kV, of which more them 50% were constructed
before.1973 and are now is in poor condition.
In recent years a programme of refurbishment such substations has been initiated.
Here is described real substation, which was the first to be rebuilt in the Polish Power Grid.
The programme involves the replacement of equipment: transformers circuit breakers,
disconnectors, current and voltage transformers, some busbars and support structures, earthing
system etc.
Implementation of new protection and control system; telecommunication and computer system is
also very important.
• Maintenance activities are based on hardware inspection mainly circuit breakers.

• There was a perception that condition was gradually deteriorating mainly of circuit breaker
operation. There was shortage of replacement parts for circuit breakers product in the Soviet
Union.
• Configuration of the substation was very poor – so-called H5 structure. It was not adequate for
actual needs.
• Physical state of some construction (busbars and earthing system) was exhausted and used.
• Transformers were old and used.
The overall condition assessment showed that the condition of substation was outside acceptable
limits.
A number of alternative strategies to address the deterioration of the 220 kV substation were
considered, mainly:
• Retirement.
• Rebuild the station like for like.
• Rebuild and enhance the substation in the same voltage level but much modern configuration,
change transformers, circuit breakers, disconnectors, current and voltage transformers, add a
new protection and control system which gives the possibility of remote control.
• Refurbish using majority of equipment..

System requirements: The substation continues to be required to ensure system adequacy bat on
the higher level of reliability in very important point of electric system
Cost: Rebuild was more expansive then building new one on the new place, but it was not
alternative.
Technology: The fact that was impossible to buy replace parts to circuit breakers and generally the
substation equipment was used and poor quality.
A4 - 30
Outages: The refurbishment activity was continuing during operation of main transforms. The
outages was temporally for minimum time. The period of refurbishment was 2.5 years.
Financial: Full substation refurbishment may be treated as a capital project. A capital project is
more acceptable than increased expenditure on maintenance and consequences of forced outages of
big refinery. This refurbishment was expensive because there was needed to set down the old
equipment and supporting construction.
4. THE PROJECT
Refurbish substation and furnish with new equipment to improve the operation conditions and
reliability and permit remote control from the dispatching centre.
A4 - 31
CASE STUDY: 14
COUNTRY: POLAND
220 KV GRID FUTURE IN THE POLISH POWER SYSTEM

The structure and proportions of 220 kV and 400 kV domestic grid at the end of 1997 result from
the historical development of that grid during the period 1953-1997, when:
• The voltage of 400 kV was put into operation in 1964 11 years after the first 220 kV line
had been introduced;
• The most significant increase of the length of 220 kV line took place 10 years after the first
400 kV line and station were put into operation.
It follows from the numbers shown in Table 1 and their graphical illustration presented in Fig. 2,
that in the years 1965-1975 approximately 4350 km of 220 kV line circuits and only 683 km of
400 kV line circuits were constructed, i.e., 53% of the current length of the 220 kV line and only
15% of the current length of the 400 kV line.
This delayed development of the 400 kV line had its technical justification in the realised strategy
of the long-term installation of power units with unit capacity not exceeding 200 MW and fairly
uniform distribution of new electric power stations over the country. The main reason of preferring
the development of the 220 kV grid, however, was the permanent lack of financial means
determining, in principle, the choice of lower cost investment solutions.
The actual state of network assets which belong to PPGC is presented in Table 2. A major part of
these assets has rather long period of life - mainly 220 kV network, transformers and breakers -
Table 3.
An intensive development of the 220 kV domestic grid was radically slowed down and stopped in
the middle of the eighties.
Table 4 shows schematically the disadvantageous features of the domestic 220 kV grid in its actual
configuration, estimated from the point of view of its future utilisation in the Domestic Power Grid
(KSE).
A general comment following from the detailed properties of 220 kV grid listed in Table 4 is that
the main prospective shortcoming is the unsuitability for future transmission tasks related, in
particular, to the expected participation of KSE (Domestic Power Grid) in the all-European
electrical energy market.
The awareness of the unsuitability of the 220 kV grid to meet the future transmission demands as
well as the experience of dramatically increasing difficulties in acquiring the land for constructing
new installations for the 400 kV grid justified the needs to start in 1996 the studies concerning the
reconstruction of the domestic 220 kV grid.
The first analysis was done at the end of 1996. It includes, among other things, the following
conclusions and recommendations:
1. Due to the considerable scope of the expansion of the 220 kV grid and its engagement in
taking the power from the majority of big system power stations directly co-operating with the
domestic transmission grid – the entire liquidation of the domestic 220 kV grid is not
profitable and possible.
On the other hand, due to the need of conducting further grid expansion and already
mentioned increasing difficulties in acquiring the land for its construction, the need of partial
liquidation or conversion of sections of the existing 220 kV grid to 400 kV will probably be
inevitable.
2. Attention was paid to the following possible and advisable directions of the reconstruction:
• Rebuilding double circuit 220 kV lines into single circuit 400 kV lines;
A4 - 32
• Disassembly of the existing single circuit 220 kV lines and using the relieved routes to
construct multi-circuit and multi-voltage 400 and 220 kV lines;
• Rebuilding 220/110 kV substations into 400/110 kV substations with possible utilisation
of the existing 110 kV switching stations and rebuilding 220 kV switching stations into
400 kV switching stations;
• The need and possibility of considering various unconventional technical solutions (small
dimension lines, overhead NN switching stations with decreased isolation gaps).
3. The strategy of diversified approaches to the degree of limitation and further utilisation of the
220 kV grid in various regions of the country, together with predicting the zones of its
complete liquidation, zones of its full utilisation (and even moderate expansion) and mixed
zones (with partial overlap of 220 and 400 kV grids), was recommended as the preferred
strategy.
The work under consideration, after seminar examination at the beginning of 1997, was accepted
as the general guidelines to perform a series of more detailed works concerning individual regions
of the country.
The works have already been started and will be continued this and next year.
Their complicated and comprehensive character following from the necessity of parallel
consideration of several different problems such as: the assessment of the technical condition of
investigated equipment, system analyses, new design solutions, costs and economic comparisons,
should be emphasised.
Considerable practical difficulties in finding the most effective strategy for the reconstruction and
maintaining the operation of the 220 kV grid are mainly due to:
• Uncertainty regarding the future tasks of the KSP (Domestic Transmission Grid) within the
international exchange program. This fact depends on the determination of future means of
connecting and future co-operation principles of UCPTE and CENTREL systems with the
power systems of Russia. (Relevant works conducted in appropriate international groups are
not finished yet.)
• “Failing to meet” in time more remote needs of partial rebuilding of the domestic 220 kV grid
into 400 kV grid and the urgent need of modernisation of a considerable amount of older
equipment of the grid. The modernisation (for prolonged operation at 220 kV) and, on the
other hand, the change to 400 kV operation represent, to a considerable degree, alternative
undertakings to be harmonised to avoid spending the financial means for short-term useful
solutions.
Particularly complicated situation can occur for 220 kV equipment for which the need for urgent
modernisation within two next years was established. During this period the studies of justified
(necessary) liquidation of 220 kV equipment and their replacement with new 400 kV equipment
will not be completed.
In such a situation it is proposed to adopt the following additional procedure verifying the scope
and schedule of modernisation of 220 kV equipment within two next years:
1. The procedure should concern only equipment located on sites containing the existing 220 kV
grid and expected to be closed down (or reconstructed into 400 kV grids) following the work
cited above .
2. For the equipment mentioned above – the assumption of conducting, within next two years,
only the most urgent modernisation activities (concerning directly the operation, breakdown
hazards with catastrophic consequences) and to defer the remaining activities; in particularly
justified cases (far advanced realisation, large intermediate costs of interrupting the works) –
further continuation of works with aiming to minimise the costs of modernisation of these
objects (taking into consideration their not fully clarified perspective usefulness).
CONCLUSIONS
1. The most important network which will be developed is 400 kV grid.
A4 - 33
2. 220 kV network will be gradually changed but slowly.
3. A long range plan for the activities proposed in item 2 is needed.
A4 - 34
Table 1
The increase of length of 220 and 400 kV line circuits in the domestic transmission grid during
consecutive 5-year periods in the years 1965 - 1996.
Lp. Specification Grid 220 kV [km] Grid 400 kV [km]

1. Polish Network to 1964 ∼ 2 650 317
2. Length increases in periods
2.1 1965 - 1970 ∼ 2 850 0
2.2 1971 - 1975 1 500 683
2.3 1976 - 1980 657 734
2.4 1981 - 1985 487 913
2.5 1986 - 1990 68 1 351
2.6 1991 - 1996 (-) 36 554
3 Altogether in 1965 - 1996 5 526 4 235
4 Total (pos. 1 + 3) 8 176 4 552
Fig 2
The increase of length of 220 and 400 kV line circuits in the domestic transmission grid during
consecutive 5-year periods in 1965 - 1997.
3000
Lenght increase of line circuit
2500 400 kV
220 kV
2000
1500
1000
500
0
to 1964 1965-1970 1971-1975 1976-1980 1981-1985 1986-1990 1991-1996
-500
A4 - 35
Table 2
Characteristic of network assets of PPGC by the end of 1997.
Pos. Specification Voltage Total

750 kV 400 kV 220 kV 110 kV
1 Length of the electrical lines 114 4590 7899 28 12631
(km)
2 Number of substations 1 27 62 0 90
Number of substations 1 17 14 0 32
which fully belong to PPGC.
3 Number of transformers 2 44 107 2 155
4 Capacity of transformers 2502 13660 17050 26 33238
(MVA)
Table 3
Statistic data on the age of network assets of PPGC.
Time diaposons
Specification Units More than Less than
25 - 20 20 - 15 15 - 10 10 - 5
25 years 5 years
years years years years
Length of 400 kV km 533 1095 562 1631 735 0
lines % 11,5 24 12,5 36 16 0
Length of 220 kV km 6541 788 730 162 0 0
lines % 79,5 9,5 8,5 2,5 0 0
Transformer MVA 1320 2550 0 930 1800 0
capacity 400/220 kV % 20 40,5 0 13 26,5 0
Transformer MVA 0 250 2750 1250 2750 330
capacity 400/110 kV % 0 3,5 37,5 17 37,5 4,5
Transformer MVA 8860 3083 3620 800 277 890
capacity % 50,5 17,5 20,5 4,5 1,5 5,5
220/110 kV
Number of breaker 6 31 21 52 54 10
400 kV % 3,5 18 12 30 31 5,5
Number of breaker 209 100 72 23 0 42
220 kV %. 47 22,5 16 5 0 9,5
A4 - 36
Table 4 Disadvantageous features of the 220 kV domestic grid (at the end of 1997, from the point
of view of its future use in the Domestic Power Grid – KSE)
Pos. Specification Reasons of appearance Consequences
1. Small usability from the point Progressing limitation of the Due to the expected
of view of serving transit and range of the 220 kV grid in intensification of the tasks
foreign exchange functions neighbouring countries following from the
participation of KSE in
the international power
exchange further
development of the 400
kV grid is indispensable
2. Disadvantageous structural
2.1. features a) Underestimation of increasing a) Insufficient (low) use of
Dominance of single circuit difficulties in getting new land per 1 MW of the
lines routes and permissions for transmission capacity.
(only 33% of 220 kV line constructing new lines NN b) Limited possibilities of
circuits on double circuit b) Grid development under the rebuilding 220 kV line
poles/supports) circumstances of short into 400 kV line (double
financial means circuits only).
2.2. Small cross-section c) Relatively large
working/active conductors As above transmission losses, small
constitute 40% of the whole transmission capacity
line length reserves against future
load increases
3. Improper technical condition a) From the very beginning, the a) The need of performing
of considerable part of elder part of the equipment of 220 extensive modernisation
220/110 kV stations kV stations installed in ( even by the end of the
previous years was technically standard life period of
outdated and of bad quality devices)
b) Premature use of simplified b) Large scope and high cost
switching station schemes, of modernisation works
with relatively deceptive
automatics
c) Lack of monitoring of the
level of the shorting power (at
the design stage)
4. Uneven loading of 220 and
400 kV lines operating in
4.1. parallel a) Inappropriate (too high) load a) Excessive transmission
Too high power of the electric increase prognosis for the losses in 220 kV grid,
power station in the 220 kV regions supplied by the 220 local overloads in 220 kV
grid kV grid grid in the states n-1
b) Limited financial means
(1965-1990)
4.2. Relatively low loading of the c) Existing 220/110 kV stations a) 220/110 kV stations,
400/110 kV station have very good localisation located nearer to customer
with respect to the main groups, have a te
customer groups ndency to overloading
4.3. Inhomogeneity of impedance Incomplete system equipping Tendency to natural

parameters of 220 and 400 kV with the means of controlling overloading of the 220 kV
lines the active power distribution grid and inability to
(400/220 kV transformers utilise full load capacity
with cross-regulation) of 400 and 220 kV grids
A4 - 37
CASE STUDY: 15
COUNTRY: SLOVENIA
COMPANY: ELECTROINSTITUTE “MILAN VIDMAR”
STUDY OF THE UPGRADING OF THE 220 KV TRANSMISSION NETWORK IN

SLOVENIA
1. INTRODUCTION
An outline of the Slovenian 220 kV and 400 kV networks

The beginning of the construction of the Slovenian transmission network dates back into 1920
when the first lines were erected. The Slovenian 220 kV transmission network, it s length being
313 km, was constructed in 1965-1970 and in the next 30 years period its scope has so far
remained unchanged. From 1977 onwards, the construction of the transmission network involved
but the 110 kV and 400 kV voltage levels resulting in the today’s length of the 110 kV network in
2235 km and that of the 400 kV network in 509 km. With its four 220 kV and six 400 kV
interconnection lines, the Slovenian electric power system has made itself soundly connected with
the West European interconnection UCPTE. The age profile of the Slovenian 110-220-400 kV
transmission network is shown in Fig. 1.
Reasons for the study of the transmission network ageing

Following the above, one can see that the average age of the 220 kV Slovenian transmission
network is some 30 years. Due to ageing processes, as incurred during the network life period,
degradation of individual elements has taken place reflecting itself in the decreased reliability level
of the overall electric power system operation.
Speaking in terms of the current state of the 220 kV equipment and its residual life, it was
estimated that in the forthcoming 20 - 25 years the cost of its maintenance will considerably
increase, and upon the end of its life period refurbishment of the entire 220 kV system should be
coped with. Another fact that aggravates the present situation is well known to the equipment
maintenance personnel who finds it very hard, already today, to assure the necessary equipment
spare parts and to keep the increasing maintenance costing as low as possible.
The next important reason is the expected increase of transits over the Slovenian transmission
system as a result of the reintegration of the Balkan countries with the European UCPTE
interconnection. The rigorous legislation adopted in the area of environmental protection and
aversion to overhead transmission lines in any environment whatsoever does not allow permits for
new corridors for new transmission lines. This is why it was necessary to analyse the state of the
Fig. 1: Age Profile of

Transmission Network
600
500
Circuit lenght (km)
400
300
200
100
0
59 55 50 45 44 40 38 34 33 31 30 29 28 26 25 24 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 12 11 10 9 8 7
Age (years)
380 kV 220 kV 110 kV
A4 - 38
existing 220 kV lines, possibilities for transiting and loading, operation risk level, and alternative
replacement with 400 kV lines.
Compared with its size, the Slovenian transmission network is with its three voltage levels, i.e.
110 kV, 220 kV and 400 kV, and the intermediary 400/220 kV transformation, over complicated.
On the other side, there is only one production source connected to the 220 kV voltage in the
overall electric power system and no new sources are likely to be included on this voltage level in
the foreseeable future.
The creeping issue of the 220 kV line conductors

In Slovenia, electrical and mechanical properties of in-service overhead transmission lines have
been thoroughly studied1. The relevant investigation revealed that safety clearings of 220 kV lines
have been critically decreased as a result of permanent conductor creeping effect. The problem lies
in the material weakening. Namely, when a particular material is exposed to a long duration
mechanical and electrical stressing, the material degradation does not stop and the conductor
ageing process thus goes on.
The research in the material creeping on conductors of the ACSR 490/65 type, as are being
currently used in the Slovenian 220 kV and 400 kV transmission systems, showed that for 30
years period of operation of such line the creeping extensibility is at average 450 µm/m, or the
conductor sagging increase is some 1.40 m (for the case of the average 400 m span). Fig. 2 shows
the change in the sagging as a function of time and span length for the observed ACSR 490/65
conductor. Considering the average 30 years of age of the Slovenian 220 kV network, such
creeping effect is quite important and in particular cases even critical thus threatening the
operational reliability. The situation is particularly alarming in cases of simultaneous occurrences
of thermal stressing in the system and at high external temperatures (the summer period).
In such cases, operational problems can be considerably minimised by adopting an adequate
operational monitoring of the conductor thermal stressing. A case study of a combined design of
an environmental information system (EIS), to meet the needs of production and meteorological
monitoring for the thermal stressing of the Slovenian transmission system, is studied too 2,3.
2. STUDYING MODEL
The above problems are comparable with cases as experienced in some European Electricity
Supply Companies where it has been established that the 220 kV voltage has, due to similar
constraints, no long term perspective. Furthermore, it was already over a decade ago that they
started abandoning the 220 kV network, or having it replaced with the 400 kV one, and the newly
constructed lines are of the 400 kV voltage level.
1 ,6
1 ,4
1 ,2
∆f [m
0 ,8
0 ,6
0 ,4
t= 5 0 y e a rs
t= 3 0 y e a rs
0 ,2 t= 1 0 y e a rs
t= 1 ye a r
t= 1 00 h
t= 1 0 h
t 1 h
0
50 150 250 350 a [m ] 4 5 0
A4 - 39
Possible variants for the 220 kV network
Owing to the above described problems that are expected to take place in the next 20 years, it is
necessary that the destiny of the 220 kV system is decided upon already now. Recently, the “Milan
Vidmar” Electric Power Research Institute implemented a techno-economic study4 in which an
analysis was made of two possible strategies of the further development of the 220 kV or 400 kV
transmission systems of Slovenia:
a/ 220 kV network refurbishment + monitoring
b/ replacement of 220 kV networks with the 400 kV one
For the two strategies the Institute elaborated technical solutions for the long term development for
the future 30 years taking into consideration uniform criteria for the network planning so as to
assure, on the long term basis, an equal quality and reliability of the consumption supply.
a/ 220 kV system refurbishment + monitoring

This strategy foresees further preservation of the 220 kV system in its present scope, whereas the
transmission network would in future be strengthened only on the 110 and 400 kV levels. The
existing 220 kV lines and 400/220/110 kV transformation should be refurbished after the end of
their life period. Based on the study results 2, estimation is made of the investment into monitoring
the 220 kV system, the equivalents being 5 km long single circuit line.
b/ Replacement of the 220 kV system with the 400 kV system

In Slovenia, the gradual abolition of the 220 kV network started as early as at the end of the
seventieth or at the beginning of the eighties when, on the basis of a strategic orientation, an
intensive construction of the 400 kV network was undertaken, while in the meantime the
construction of the 220 kV system was limited just to the reinforcement of the 220/110 kV
transformation.
The above strategy aimed at a gradual abolishment of the 220 kV system and its replacement with
400 kV. A full consideration was thereby taken of the conditions and the residual life period of the
220 kV equipment that shall have to be further maintained in the intermediary period all down to
the termination of its life period. Due to the uncertainty regarding the equipment’s rated and
expected life period, two variants were designed for the replacement of the 220 kV system with the
400 kV one:
A/ slow transition
B/ fast transition
By replacing the 220 kV system with the 400 kV one and with the transition to the direct 400/110
kV transformation, ten transformer units of the total power 3000 MVA would be sufficient until
2020 in just six 400 kV transformer stations. According to variants that aim at the preservation of
the 220 kV system and the intermediary 400/220 kV transformation, eight transformer stations
with total 4500 MVA would be needed which represents additional 50% of installed power in the
transformation.
3. ECONOMIC ASSESSMENTS AND ANALYSES

Each of the development variants was economically assessed and compared. In economic
assessments, a full consideration was made as to investment and maintenance costs which are in
each variant different and incurred at different times. At the assessment of each of the variants
observed we used, in order to assure their economic comparability, the present-value method for
the period of 30 years. Knowing that “correct” present-value rates in economic comparisons
undoubtedly bring forth considerable incertitude, our calculations were made with 3%, 6% and 8%
rates and we estimated their impact on the choice of economically the most favourable variant. The
envisaged economic comparisons brought us to the conclusion that it is in any case more
reasonable to adopt a gradual abolishing of the 220 kV system while making transition onto the
400 kV. On the other side, the economic effect strongly depends on the consideration of the
present-value rate and dynamics of this transition. At the variant comparison it was noted that the
lower present-value rate demonstrates a better economic effect, whereas the slow transition to the
400 kV network (consideration of a longer life period) promises the optimal solution. The effect of
A4 - 40
the present-value rate and dynamics of the 220 kV system abolition on the final economic impact
is for each of the variant expressed in the index form as shown in Table 1. A comparison of the
overall present-value costs indicates that the variant with the transition to the 400 kV system (2A)
is, when compared to the variant of the 220 kV system preservation (1A), economically more
favourable between 7% and 13%, depending on the observed present-value rate. Fig. 3 makes a
comparison between the overall present-value costs of the 2A and 1A variants for the 8% present-
value rate. Following the above, it is quite evident that due to economic reasons it is quite
reasonable to seriously scrutinise the suitability of the gradual abolition of the 220 kV system and
its replacement with the 400 kV one.
Table 1: TOTAL COSTS

COMPARISON
by present-value method
Discount-rate 8% 6% 3%
Variant* a total cost index
2A 100 113 135
1A 107 122 153
2B 133 142 157
1B 133 150 184
*
longer life period
2A - 220 kV abolition
1A - 220 kV preservation
shorter life period
2B - 220 kV abolition
1B- 220 kV preservation
Fig. 3: TOTAL COSTS COMPARISON

by present-value method
discount-rate: 8%
120000
1A
100000 2A
-7%
80000
DEM x 1000
60000 1A: preservattion of 220 kV

2A: replacement of 220 kV
40000
20000
0
2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020 2022 2024 2026 2028 2030
leta
A4 - 41
4. CONCLUSION
The techno-economic analyses brought to light advantages and disadvantages of the abolition of
the 220 kV network and its transition to the 400 kV voltage.
Advantages:
- increase of transport capacity of the transmission network
- space exploitation rationalisation (environmental aspect)
- simplification of the network structure and smaller number of elements
- greater operation reliability level
- abolition of the 400/220 kV transformation and transformation directly to 400/110 kV
- smaller number of transformer stations, transformers and installed power
- smaller transportation losses
- smaller demand of the reactive power
- lower maintenance expenses
Disadvantages:
- high initiation investment expenses
- abolition of the 220 kV voltage level necessitates preliminary 110 kV system reinforcement
- increase of short circuit currents on the 110 kV level - installation of the switching
equipment of a greater capacity
- possibilities of administrative difficulties in the processes of permit and consent provision
owing to the public unfavourableness resulting from their fear of an increased effect of the
electromagnetic radiation
- necessity of reaching agreements with the neighbouring electric power systems as to the
dynamics of the 220 kV interconnection lines abolition.
Having assessed the technical, economic and not the least but the last environmental aspects of the
above advantages and disadvantages, we can draw the conclusion that despite the numerous listed
difficulties the development perspective of the Slovenian transmission system is in having its 220
kV voltage gradually abolished, reinforcing its 400 kV, and transition to the direct 400/110 kV
transformation. The planned dynamics of the 220 kV voltage level abolition and the scope of the
400 kV network construction are shown in Fig. 4.
Fig. 4: 220 kV - 400 kV Transmission

Network Lenght of Circuits
1000
900
800
upgrading and 400 kV
new constructions
700
Circuit lenght (km)
600 beginning of the 400 kV

network construction
500
400
300
220 kV
200
abolition of the
100 220 kV network
0
1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020
Year
A4 - 42
5. REFERENCES
/1./ Study of thermal loading of conductors for OHL, 2. part, Electroinstitute “Milan
Vidmar, Ref No 1256, Ljubljana, 1994 (in Slovenian)
/2./ F Jakl, K Bakic, L Valencic, Combined use of the air monitoring system in
production and transmission of electricity, IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, Vol
12, No 4, August 1997, pp 1068-1075
/3./ Monitoring system supporting thermal loading of OHL in Slovenia, Electroinstitute
“Milan Vidmar, Ref No 1319, Ljubljana, 1994 (in Slovenian)
/4./ Technical and economical valorisation of 220 kV network in the long-term
development strategy of Slovenian EPS, Electroinstitute “Milan Vidmar, Ref No
1391, Ljubljana, 1997 (in Slovenian)
Summary
The paper analyses the issue of the further destiny of the 220 kV Slovenian transmission network.
The fact that the average age of the 220 kV network elements is some 30 years faces the electricity
transmission utility with the dilemma whether to have the 220 kV network further preserved and to
have it, upon the termination of its life period, refurbished, or to have it abandoned. A techno-
economic study that was made at the “Milan Vidmar” Electric Power Research Institute, led to the
conclusion that it would be technically and economically reasonable to have the 220 kV network
in the forthcoming 20 years gradually abandoned and replaced with the 400 kV one.
Paper prepared by
Kresimir Bakic and Joze Perme,
Electroinstitute Milan Vidmar
A4 - 43
CASE STUDY: 16
COUNTRY: SLOVENIA
COMPANY: ELECTROINSTITUTE “MILAN VIDMAR”
PLANT: AAC CONDUCTOR
AGEING STUDY OF CONDUCTORS AAC 500 MM2 AFTER FORTY YEARS OF
OPERATION1
Abstract
The paper is focused on the creeping phenomenon as observed in 500mm2 aluminium
(AAC) conductors of a 110 kV overhead transmission line in Slovenia. Results of an
investigation are shown providing a solid basis for a comparison between two forty years
old conductors; one having been in operation for thirty-five years and the other
inoperable. Values obtained with a prestress method employed at the line construction in
1955-1957 and thirty-five years later, i.e. in 1994, are analysed.
1. Introduction
The very first proposals of homogeneous conductors which were not reinforced date back to the
fifties. At that time, Prof. Milan Vidmar, the nestor of Slovenian Electric Power Engineers,
presented at the 13th International CIGRE Conference in Paris his idea about the mechanical
equivalence between copper and aluminium in the overhead transmission line technique /1/. In
accordance with this Vidmar’s conception, a 110 kV line with AAC 500 mm2 conductors, the
Pekre-Kidricevo line, was constructed in 1953-1955. In the course of time, the line has been given
the name the “Vidmar’s line”. The design of these conductors included 91 aluminium wires of the
2.65 mm radius. Later, it was realised that the Vidmar’s idea of unreinforced aluminium
conductors was only a partial solution as far as its long term aspect was concerned. While the level
of losses was satisfactory, mechanical properties of conductors were soon found to be quite
critical. The problem was their inadequate elasticity which exhibited itself in unacceptably great
sags for which reason several tightening ups of the line have been necessary. After forty years of
its operation, an analysis of the conductor creeping effect and its comparison with an inoperable
conductor of the same age were made. The interest of the investigation was laid in the
determination of differences between the ageing of the transmission conductor (rope) that has been
thermally stressed and the one that has not been submitted to such stressing.
As in the fifties the creeping phenomenon of conductors of overhead transmission lines was not yet
known, the today’s technique of special line erection was not practised. Moreover, even today
there are instances that the conductors creeping is not compensated at their construction.
Creep is defined as mechanical elongation of materials leading into the conductor prolongation,
increased sags or decreased safety ground clearance. In other words, this is the phenomenon of the
material deformation caused by long duration mechanical and thermal stressing.
In addition to the state of the observed AAC 500 conductors, a comparison will be shown with
some other conductor types as currently used in the world practice
2. Conductor creep on »Vidmar's line«
Immediately upon the construction of the line, increased sags resulting from the creeping effect
were observed. As this phenomenon was not adequately investigated at the time, Prof. Vidmar did
not pay due regard to the problem. Records of the building company which constructed the line
show that after a certain time of operation increased sags were detected and that conductors were
erected to their maximal tensile strength of 60/Nmm2, irrespective of the ambient temperature.
After 48 hours, this strength was decreased down to the conductors rated tensile strength. This
measure, which was taken in 1957, mechanically stabilised the conductor and sags were set up
1
Franc Jakl, Univercity of Maribor, Faculty for electricity 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
Kresimir BakicElectroinstitute Milan Vidmar Hajdrihova 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
A4 - 44
according to the values defined in assembly tables. Thereafter the line operated with no problems
for quite many years.
After forty years of the line operation, new instances of increased sagging have been noted for
which reason an analysis of the state was envisaged.
A laboratory analysis (by Dalekovod, Zagreb, Croatia) was made at a constant temperature θ=25.5
∀0.5 ΕC and at a constant tensile strength for:
a) a new conductor σEDS 18.4%=27.52 N/mm2
b) an old conductor σEDS 18.3%=27.39 N/mm2
Figure 1 shows results of the laboratory creep analysis for different conductor samples.
Fig.1: Creep of different types of conductors as a function of time
Legend: 1 – AAC 500 – Unused conductor , sample 1 (25 ºC, 18% EDS)
2 – AAC 500 – Used conductor, (25 ºC, 18% EDS), 34 years in operation
3 - ACSR 490/65 (24 ºC, 18.3% EDS)
4 – AC/ACS 475/25 (27 ºC, 14% EDS)
5 – AAAC 185 – (27 ºC, 22.9% EDS)
6 – AAC 500 – Unused conductor, sample 2 (24ºC, 18% EDS)
7 – UTAL (230ºC, 20% EDS)
8 – ZTAL (230ºC, 20% EDS)
9 – ZTAL (20ºC, 20% EDS)
10 – Steel wire 4.5 mm (150ºC, 14% EDS)
11 – Invar steel wire 4.5mm (240ºC, 20% EDS)
12 – Invar steel wire 4.5mm (20ºC, 20% EDS)
The employed algorithm for the calculation of the permanent AAC 500 conductor coefficient of
expansion (conductor no 2 in Fig. 1) was:
Єm= 0.00041 t0.0189 m/m
The value of the permanent expansion for the operational period of forty years (from the first
conductor strengthening up in 1956 until the last one made in 1996) was 521 µm/m. Figure 2
shows the details of testing two AAC 500 conductors.
A4 - 45
Fig.2: Detailed curve of creeping for a) 35 years in operation conductor AAC 500 and
b) unoperated conductor AAC 500 both with age of 40 years
3. Determination of the value of the permanent expansion for the AAC 500
conductor after forty years of operation
Site reports prepared by the maintenance personnel warned about the decreased safety heights that
were observed particularly during hot summer days. For this reason geodesic measurements of
sags and safety ground clearance - the first ones were carried out by the maintenance personnel
and the second ones by designers - were made on the most critical parts of the line (at crossings
with heavily burdened roads). Their common conclusion was that ground clearance had been
decreased by 0.9 - 1.1 m (at the mean span of 250 m) and the tensile strength by 13.8%.
An example of measured and calculated sags or tensile strengths of the AAC 500 type conductor
for the span between towers no. 22 and 23 is shown in Fig. 3.
Figure 3 Span between towers no. 22 and 23 on the “Vidmar’s” line

The reference sag values for conductors f1 and the pertaining tensile strengths σ1and length l1 at the
time of the line construction (the line construction was completed in 1955) or at checking
measurements were of (f2 , σ2 , l2 ) for the temperature θ = 200 C taken thirty-eight years later, i.e.
in 1993, were as follows:
σ1= 60 N/mm2 σ2 = 51.7 N/mm2
f1 = 6.68 m f2= 7.90 m
l1 = 258.67 m l2 = 258.84 m
A4 - 46
For the observed span a = 258.2 m, the prolonged length of conductors lδ was at decreased tensile
strength from σ1= 60 N/mm2 down to σ2 = 51.7 N/mm2 at the conductor creeping
8 2
lδ = (f 2 − f12 )
3a
This corresponds to a nonelastic permanent expansion of conductors (metallurgic expansion) for

the observed period of thirty-eight years εm 38 years = 657.2 µm/m or 0.6572 ‰. The equivalent of
this permanent expansion is the change in the sag in the value of f δ = 1.12 m. This is a self-
explanatory evidence of how a relatively small prolongation of the line conductors reflects itself in
a form of an important change in the conductor sag.
The final decision about the scope of the renovation work was taken upon the testing of electrical
performances of insulation strings and the pertaining armatures as well as a tearing test of the Al
500 conductor, the samples of which were taken from the observed line. Laboratory tests showed
that the insulation was absolutely worn out and mechanical testing of conductors indicated that
there was but a minor decrease in the mechanical strength in comparison with the new conductor
(by 8.3%).
Owing to critical safety ground clearance (crossing of the line with heavy-duty roads) it was
absolutely necessary to have the Al 500 conductors tightened up anew. This took place in the
period between October 13-28, 1994 and involved the most critical discharging fields 49-57, 57-64
and 64-73. At the same time, there were also some other maintenance works envisaged, as for
instance replacement of insulation strings with new ones, partial repair of individual parts of the
steel construction, repair of wires with compressor clamps at tearing points of individual wires of
the external wire coating, etc.
4. Conclusion
The analysis of the ageing phenomenon of the 110 kV Pekre - Kidričevo line, or its conductors of
the AAC 500 type, confirmed the importance of careful consideration of the problem of permanent
elongation of overhead transmission line conductors. Due regard should be paid to the fact that this
type of conductors decrease safety ground clearance which may result in dangerous safety hazards
and can even decrease operational availability.
The Slovenian practice has experienced quite many instances of the line tripping (there have even
been system black outs) due to inadequate ground clearance which have evoked ground short
circuits. Though it is quite well known that the problem of the undergrowth which is growing fast
under overhead transmission lines is by all means greater than the elongation due to creeping itself,
the issue of creeping due to ageing should be approached most seriously.
Owing to the high rate of sensitivity of increased conductor sags at relatively small expansions due
to conductor creeping, this problem is quite critical with older conductors. It is particularly present
with lines with homogeneous conductors which are considerably more sensitive than double-metal
conductors. Such an example is the “Vidmar’s” line.
5. Reference
/1./ Milan Vidmar, Aluminium Transmission Conductors Without Mechanical Reinforcement. R-
233, 13. Session CIGRE, Paris, 1950.
/2./ M. Vidmar, Mechanische gleichwertige Kupfer und Aluminiumleiter im
Starksstromfreileitungen, Archiv der elektrischen Übertragung, 1950.
/3./ F.Jakl, 40 years in operation of »Vidmar's line« 110 kV Pekre-Kidričevo. Lecture on Vidmar
days Symposium, Proceedings, Ljubljana, 1994
/4./ CIGRE WG 22.05, A practical method of conductor creep determination, Electra (24), Paris,
1972.
/5./ F.Jakl, A.Jakl,J. Jakše, M. Ramovš, Non-elastic expansion of conductors AAC 500 on the
»Vidmar's line«, 2nd Slovenian CIGRE Conference, Maribor, 1995.
A4 - 47
CASE STUDY: 17
COUNTRY: UNITED STATES
PLANT: 230 kV CIRCUIT BREAKERS
230 kV CIRCUIT BREAKERS

A small portion of the SF6 circuit breakers used on the 230 kV and 525 kV systems leak large
amounts of SF6. Typical solutions for these heavy-leaking breakers typically include
refurbishment and/or replacement. Due to budget constraints and prioritisation of other work for
the transmission infrastructure, funding for refurbishment and/or replacement of heavy-leaking
breakers has become more difficult. This case study gives an overview of the selection of breaker
position retirement as an option selected for a heavy leaking breaker that was also technically
obsolete from a spare parts perspective.

Two 230 kV circuit breakers were identified as potential replacement candidates due to technical
obsolescence. These two breakers are the only types on the system and spare parts have become
very expensive and anticipated to increase even more in the future. In addition, one of the breakers
is leaking SF6 gas at a very high rate resulting in very high O&M expenses.
Alternative strategies to address the situation were considered:
1) Refurbishment of existing breakers (replace leaking bushings)
2) Replacement of existing breakers (replace like for like)
3) Retirement of existing breakers (remove breakers and do not replace)
Technical Obsolescence:
Refurbishment was considered to repair the heavy-leaking SF6 circuit breaker. Since this was one
of only two breaker types on the transmission system and spare parts were becoming difficult and
expensive to obtain, it was decided that investments in major refurbishments could not be justified
for this breaker type.
Cost:
Replacement cost was weighed against the predicted savings in SF6 expense. Although
replacement of the heavy-leaking circuit breaker had a valid business case, it would not necessarily
receive funding due to budget constraints and prioritisation of other projects for the transmission
infrastructure.
Environment:
Reduction or elimination of SF6 leaks was strongly desired due to the potent nature of this
greenhouse gas.
The substation was originally designed and built for future expansion and the 230 kV bus was a
breaker-and-half configuration. However, future expansion turned out not to be needed over the
years and is not predicted to be needed in the near future. The two breakers considered for
technical obsolescence only serve the purpose of redundancy at the station and could be opened
without interrupting the flow of energy during normal conditions. The removal of these breakers
was proposed and the new configuration was evaluated by system planners and system operators
and determined to be acceptable.
A4 - 48
4. THE PROJECT
Removal of the two 230kV circuit breakers completely removes a circuit breaker population that
had a technical obsolescence problem in addition to removing a problematic SF6 piece of
equipment. There are minimal costs associated with this option (relay changes, removal costs,
reduced reliability) and extensive benefits (elimination of obsolete design, reduced SF6 costs, extra
free-standing CTs and gang switches for stock). The solution for this application was very unique
and only applicable to the particular station studied. Other “obsolete” circuit breakers were
evaluated in terms of breaker position elimination, but this solution could not be implemented at
these locations.
A4 - 49
Appendix 5.
Example of RCM Approach to Refurbishment

A5 - 1
Appendix 5
RELIABILITY CENTERED MAINTENANCE APPROACH TO

REFURBISHMENT
1 Evaluation of criteria
1.1 General
The RCM method considers the condition of the equipment as well as its importance
in the system. Therefore this method can be used as a valuable tool for planing of
renovation measures. In the following three different types of 420 kV circuit-breakers
are considered. The aim of the investigation is to prove the practicability and ability
of the computer based RCM-method and the exactness of the assessment.
The condition of the circuit-breakers was evaluated by means of a questionnaire.

Besides the service life of the breaker some general features as arc extinguishing
medium and drive mechanism as well as the service experience and the failure rates
are recorded. The analysis can be based on exact values, e.g. gained by measure-
ments and test results, but also on fuzzy values where an estimation or judgement of
experts is necessary. The scaling of the condition axis in the first step is more or less
arbitrary and the limit value between servicing and replacement is based on a first
estimation and has finally to be confirmed by more thorough investigations on the
objects in concern.
For definition of importance of the breaker in the system different options are
available. The definition applied in these investigations takes into account the non-
availability of the equipment and the loss of power caused by the outage of the
breaker in question. The non-availability is ascertained from the outage time and the
statistical outage and failure rate respectively. The outage time of the breaker
depends on the scheme and the layout of the substation and the location of the
breaker in the station. The loss of power is evaluated from the real load flow via the
breaker in concern. For comparison the value is normalised and related to the
maximum value in the network configuration under consideration.
The first type of breaker under investigation is a minimum oil circuit-breaker with
eight units per pole. These breakers with a spring drive mechanism were taken into
service between 1973 and 1978. The second type, a double pressure SF6 breaker
with four units per pole, belongs to the first generation of SF6 circuit-breakers and
were equipped mainly with hydraulic drive mechanisms, but some with pneumatic
drives. These breakers were installed in 1972 and 1973. The third type counts to
first generation of SF6 puffer-breaker. It is a four unit breaker with an hydraulic drive
mechanism taken into service in the period from 1975 to 1978.
1.2. Minimum oil circuit-breaker
The population of this type investigated amounts 34 circuit-breakers in 8

substations. The results are given in figure 1 The condition of the breakers is in the
region between 55 and 80, in which the breakers from 1973 exhibit a distinctly worse

A5 - 1
condition although only some years more in operation. This was mainly due to an
essential modification and improvement of the arcing chamber in 1974 resulting in a
better performance of the chamber and also in lower maintenance expenditure for
this part.
The importance is mainly in the region below 50 %. But four breakers are classified
in the range above 90 %. All these latter breakers are installed in generator feeders.
From these results one can derive a renovation strategy in four stages. First the
three breakers of the before mentioned generator feeders and the two other
breakers in a highly exploited substation have to be exchanged. Secondly the
breakers in the 50 % range and at last those in the 30 - 40 % range have to be
considered. Because of the low importance a renovation of the breakers below the
30 % range can be disregarded and reconsidered when a new inventory of condition
and importance for this type of breaker is carried out after a certain period of time.
minimum oil breaker
100
80
condition c
60
40
20
0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120
importance i
Figure 1: Evaluation of 420 kV minimum oil breakers
1.3 SF6-breaker, dual pressure type
The population of this type of breaker consists of 21 pieces. The results are
presented in figure 2. Since only breakers of two subsequent years of manufacture
are installed the condition varies only in a small range. Compared to the condition
level of the minimum oil breakers the average is some what higher, i.e. the condition
of this breaker in general is worse which is also in accordance with the overall
service experience. The renovation suggested is to exchange all these breakers in a
defined sequence beginning with the breakers in the range of importance of 60 %
and above. The second section contains the 30 % up to 60 % range and the last the
section below 30 %. Because of the reduced reliability, these breakers have to be
observed thoroughly, e.g. by yearly recording of the condition.
SF6 breaker, dual pressure type
100
80
condition c
60
40
20
0
0 20 40 60 80 100
importance i
Figure 2: Evaluation of 420 kV SF6 breakers, pressure type

A5 - 2
1.4 SF6-breakers, puffer type
The population under investigation of this type comes to 38 breakers. The results
can be taken from figure 3. The importance of the population in concern is to more
than one half below 35 %. Only a small amount is above 60 %. One of these
breakers with 90 % importance belongs to a generator feeder.
SF6 breaker, puffer type
100
80
condition c
60
40
20
0
0 20 40 60 80 100
importance i
Figure 3: Evaluation of 420 kV SF6 breakers, puffer type
The condition in total is considerably better compared to the breakers dealt with
before. It is in the range between 45 % and 55 %. With regard to the condition even
the worst breaker of this type is better than the best minimum oil breaker of the
same year of manufacture. This proves the superiority of the puffer-type breaker
technology and complies with the service experience in general. The small range of
variation depends on the years of manufacture close together without any particular
change in technology.
The results with this breaker show that in the foreseeable future no renovation
measures will be necessary. They can also be used to adapt the limit value between
normal maintenance activities and renovation. Based on the comparison between
the three breaker types under investigation the condition limit value was assumed to
60 %. By means of some more detailed tests and measurements of the breakers’
condition and consideration of the failures rates of breakers which will be renovated
soon the limit value can be fixed more precisely.
Nevertheless the method presented shows a satisfactory ability and exactness of

assessment. It can surely be improved in the course of time by further experience
and data gained with the RCM method.
2 Evaluation of a network
2.1 Circumstances
2
A German utility (approximately 6,000 km service area, 1.6 million private and
commercial clients, 1,150 staff members) which had realised the importance of
optimising maintenance processes wanted in 1999 to audit, evaluate and optimise
the existing assets as well as to analyse and optimise the maintenance processes in
co-operation with an internationally active consultancy company within the scope of

A5 - 3
a model project. The electric supply company followed a CBM strategy. The
maintenance processes were in line with this strategy and had been optimised. The
aim of the proj??ect was to reduce the costs of the whole maintenance area by a
further 30% and the duration of the project was nine weeks.
2.2 Analysis phase
Auditing the available equipment and comparing them to the existing data bases
was the first necessary step for achieving the goals of the project - firstly because
until then the maintenance and archiving of data depended largely on the person
who conducted it, and secondly because certain data (such as condition and degree
of maintenance) was not available for all equipment.
In order to conduct a cost-effective and quick data acquisition of the condition of

equipment on a specific day, the e-Pat solution was used. This solution is a software
tool for handheld computers which is used to document the evaluation of condition
efficiently on the spot. The required data was acquired with the help of the staff
members of the client who had been trained thoroughly before that. The data which
was acquired in this manner was sent via Internet to central computer on a daily
basis. In this way it was possible to evaluate more than 8,000 equipment (circuit-
breakers, power and instrument transformers, disconnectors and so on) within four
weeks, compare the data to the existing data bank of the utility and generate an up-
dated version simultaneously. In addition to that, all critical equipment were identified
in this step of the project (critical in the sense that the security of supply depends on
them to a large extent in case of a power breakdown).
In the second step, a thorough condition evaluation of the significant components,

particularly the critical components among them, was carried out using modern
procedures of diagnosis. The following measurements were carried out in this step
of the project to equipment the circuit-breakers:
- Infrared thermography - switching times

- SF6 humidity and, - oil analyses
The results of the analysis were evaluated and compared to reference values from
the internal data bases of the utility. At the end of this phase of the project, a
complete "finger-print" of all the significant equipment in the network was available.
2.3 Development of strategies
In the next step, the information acquired in the analysis phase was used for
developing alternative maintenance strategies. In TBM strategies, the equipment are
replaced after a hypothetical period of service life and maintenance is carried out
continuously after specific time intervals. A maintenance budget based on this
approach corresponds to an index value of 100.
CBM strategies, on the other hand, prescribe replacement or maintenance

measures only after an equipment has achieved a certain technical condition. This

A5 - 4
condition is specified with the help of a so called condition index. The condition
index is defined differently for different equipment.The scenario for a CBM strategy
showed a saving potential of 40% compared to that of a TBM strategy. In this
connection, it might be interesting to note that the model calculations for the
application of a CBM strategy coincided exactly with the amount of the maintenance
budget of the client.
However, this was not enough for achieving the goal of the project. Assessing the
possibilities of approaches using modern Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM)
was an even more important task. Such approaches distinguish themselves through
the fact that they not only take the technical condition of the assets into
consideration but also their importance in the overall network.
The result of the total assessment of the 123 kV and 245 kV circuit-breakers is listed
in figure 4. In addition to that, customer specific critical values for the technical
condition of the equipment are defined. In the example shown in figure 8, the critical
value for a maintenance measure (cM) is fixed at c = 40 whereas the critical value
for a replacement or retrofitting measure (cR) is fixed at c = 60. For example
according figure 10 an extremely important circuit breaker (i = 100) is in a critical
position (c = 56) and must be maintained urgently. Furthermore, a general order for
maintenance measures can be derived from the figure.
Summarizing the RCM strategy influences the maintenance processes significantly.

The optimisation of these maintenance processes offers an additional cost-cutting
potential. In addition to that many companies conduct processes that are too
complicated and have interfaces that require manual inputs, making them prone to
errors.
In the same way further h.v.-equipment are assessed, for example transformers,
which are listed in figure 4, and instrument transformers. Furthermore complete
substations and h.v. overhead lines are considered. The main difference is, that
several items have to combine to a single statement. For example, the substation
consists of:
- bays - cicuit-breakers
- instrument transformers - disconnectors
- secondary equipment - civil works and so on.

A5 - 5
condition c
condition c
importance i importance i
Figure 4: Assessment of 123 kV and 245 kV circuit-breakers (left) and

transformers (right)
This different items have to assess according to their condition and the cverall
condition of the complete substation is evaluated considering the investment costs
and amount of the several items.
3 Conclusion
It makes sense to embed the described procedure in a financial management

system and to develop a software tool. The general data and measurements of the
process (e. g. substation) should fed into the program to assess the condition and
the importance of the equipment. Whereas the main data of the equipment (e. g.
type, manufacturer, year) are already listed in network information systems. These
values have to be directly imported to the software tool. After the overall assessment
a ranking of the equipment will be calculated and the responsible engineer has to
handle the order via a commercial software tool.

A5 - 6
Appendix 6.
Design to Facilitate Maintenance and

Refurbishment

A6 - 1
Appendix 6
DESIGN TO FACILITATE MAINTENANCE AND

REFURBISHMENT
The reliability of Transmission Assets over their lifetime follow the familiar bathtub
curve : relatively high infant mortality in the early stages followed by a long period of
normal reliable operation. Reliability again decreases as the asset approaches the end
of its useful life.
Transmission asset managers or maintenance managers will want to ensure that the
asset remains in the high reliability zone for as long as possible. In order to ensure
reliable operation the assets must be maintained. Traditionally, this involved removing
the asset from service to carry out regular maintenance activities.
In an ideal world the transmission system would have sufficient spare capacity to
enable plant to be removed when required and for as long as required to carry out the
required maintenance. However in many utilities, particularly mature utilities, demand
growth continues while increasingly greater restrictions are placed in the way of new
plant construction. The result is that maintenance outages are becoming more difficult
to obtain, in particular long outages for major overhauls.
This situation needs to be addressed on two fronts :
• Maintenance managers must put in place policies and methodologies which
will continue to provide the required level of reliability with reduced
maintenance outages.
• for future plant, the maintenance manager must be involved in the
design/specification stage of new assets and he must ensure that assets which
are installed have minimum maintenance requirements.
In relation to the former, the following techniques have the potential to
minimise/optimise outages :
• Acceleration of the work, e.g. using additional labour or resources,
• Use of parallel construction of circuits, e.g. utilising either circuit by-pass
facilities, mobile by-pass switchgear bays.
• Temporary protection panels or relay rooms.
• Pre-wired protection cubicles or suites.
• Temporary by-pass towers on OHL routes or in substations.
• Off line cable, transformer or substation replacement.
• Use of temporary control operating points as control facilities are replaced.
• Construction of new circuits before retirement of assets to be renewed

A6 - 1
Where outages are very limited, working with circuits live may be considered, for
example in:-
• Live maintenance/renewal of 110 kV OHL’s
• Use of ‘hot stick’ working in substations for some maintenance activities
• OHL foundation and steelwork repair/replacement where safety clearances can
be maintained.
As discussed it is becoming increasingly important that maintenance managers are
involved in the design aspects of new transmission plant. Items which must be
considered include :
• The choice of busbar arrangement which readily allows switchgear
maintenance while maintaining supply : Breaker-and-Half, Ring Bus etc.
These are illustrated in the attached diagrams.
• The installation of bypass disconnects
• Use of new technologies with reduced maintenance requirements : composite
optical CTs, disconnectors and earth switches etc.
• Ensuring that new line designs (compact designs) will facilitate live working
• Ensuring that new substations equipment requires minimum maintenance
(there is no such thin as a zero-maintenance) item of plant
• Ensuring that new substations are designed with sufficient space to allow
access by mobile plant
As the impact of ageing grows with the approach over the next 10 years of the
population peaks of the majority of transmission assets, the increasing system access
requirements will also grow. Initial studies by one company shows a 17% increase in
outage requirements of main transmission circuits in the latter half of the years 2001
to 2008. New techniques to enable renewal with lower outage demands and improved
designs to facilitate lower system access needs in future renewals are therefore
required.
Designs to facilitate lower system access requirements for future maintenance and
renewals, or to cater for short term requirements due to generation siting patterns are
required, particularly for assets having, or only requiring short asset lives, and these
include:-
i) Substation layouts that facilitate by-pass
ii) Provision of spare bays for future replacement.
iii) “Plug-in” assets, ranging from electronic circuits, 400kV hybrid circuit
breakers (with composite optical C.T.s ,disconnectors and earth switches), to
“plug-in” GIS bays.
iv) Relocatable assets that maximise fexibility, lifetime costs and minimise
system access requirements, eg. In addition to “plug-in” assets referred to
above, relocatable static VAR compensators.

A6 - 2
Appendix 7.
Asset Replacement Planner

Appendix 7
ASSET REPLACEMENT PLANNER
The Asset Replacement Planner is a method used by one company to ensure that resultant
asset replacement plans are communicated widely, and in particular to the system planner,
is by representing the plans on a bar chart over a 20-year timeframe. This 20 year “Asset
replacement Planner” supports the more usual representation of plans on System
Development Diagrams and allows the “Big Picture” to be seen. Copies of the planners
are also made widely available within the company by placing them on the company
Intranet.

APPENDIX 7: Fictitious Example of an NGC Transmission Asset Replacement Planner
Asset Replacement proposals affecting "Main Distribution Company" Portfolio sites For further information, contact ………….. MAIN Dist. Co
Business Plan
Yr 1 Yr 2 Yr 3 Yr 4 Yr 5 Yr 6 Yr 7 Yr 8 Yr 9 Yr 10 Yr 11 Yr 12 Yr 13 Yr 14 Yr 15 Yr 16 Yr17 Yr18 Yr19 Yr20
Substation Connectee Site built 00/01 01/02 02/03 03/04 04/05 05/06 06/07 07/08 08/09 09/10 10/11 11/12 12/13 13/14 14/15 15/16 16/17 17/18 18/19 19/20
Beedly 132 MQ 1967

OFA11 OCB's 280A, 380, 480 & bays (AR02678677)
Beedly 275 MQ 1968
JW420 4SW Mesh Site (AR0256778)
Chyle 132 MQ, URL 1954
ABCB's Frame G 280A, 285A, 380A, 385A (56738033) SGT 2A and SGT3A (AR0256779)
Chyle 275 MQ 1965
EE Frame R's TC6 - 12 bays (AR02546380)
Chyle 400 1967
400kV line ends and TX's- SGT5A/SGT6A (AR0256381)
Chisum 132 MQ 1955
Asset Replacement (84573034)
Chisum 275 MQ, EPK 1955
GA10 CB's and SGT's - qtty's on
Chisum 400 MQ 1965
Disconnectors and overhead connections
Cinder 132 MQ 1967
OFA11 CB's
Cinder 400 MQ 1967
Site Infrastructure
Concor 132 MQ 1986
Concor 400 MQ 1966

19 Bay infrastructure only, not CB's which are already done (AR00265433)
Filbert 132kV MQ 1977
Filbert 275 Ph1 URL 1967

OBR60's 15 CB's and 14 sets of through wall bushings (AR02564382)
Filbert 275 Ph 2 MQ 1977
Footham 66 MQ 1965
380, 480 and bays replacement - Indoor ABCB's AEI GA6W4 (AR01567372)
Footham 275 MQ 1968
4sw mesh AEI GA10's - whole S/S replacement (AR05643173)
Kirk 132 MQ 1962
l XOPR60's & bays (AR0054620)
Kirk 275 MQ 1965
Leward 132 MQ 1967

EE Frame R T2D - 2 bays (AR0256384)
Leward 275 MQ 1967
EE Frame R Y12 - 8 bays (AR02854635)
Lenmarch 132 MQ 1968
OW410 - 7 bays (AR0256386)
Lenmarch 400 MQ 1968 SGT5 core-tank fault - SGT 6&3 + 15 yrs
GA10 ABCB's, Indoor site, 18 CB's only with 11 sets of through wall bushings, and SGT4 (AR0254687)
Pendle 132 MQ 1965
2bays OW410 (AR0265388)
Pendle 400 MQ, FST 1969
8 Bays ph1 - not CB's (AR0264289)
Pendle 400 - ph2 MQ 1978
Winster 132 MQ 1967

GA6 - 6CB's, 10 sets bushings (AR023872192)
Winster 400 MQ 1969 All GSA 12's changed or planned to be changed
SGT3 High DGA, FFA (AR017743) Through wall bushings and outdoor equipment only - 9 bays inc res section (AR02536793)
KEY
Sanctioned Deterministic Placement MQ Main Dist Comp.

FST First Gen Company
In Capital Plan Connectee Plans URL United Power
EPK Electrick Park
Not in Capital Plan Infrastructure/New Connection Replacement
Last Revision Date 2 February 2000

Le CIGRÉ a apporté le plus grand soin à la réalisation de cette brochure thématique numérique afin de vous
fournir une information complète et fiable.
Cependant, le CIGRÉ ne pourra en aucun cas être tenu responsable des préjudices ou dommages de quelque
nature que ce soit pouvant résulter d’une mauvaise utilisation des informations contenues dans cette brochure.
Publié par le CIGRÉ

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full and reliable information.
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information contained therein.
Published by CIGRE
21, rue d’Artois
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Tel : +33 1 53 89 12 90
Fax : +33 1 53 89 12 99
Copyright © 2000
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176 Ageing of The System. Impact On Planning

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176

AGEING OF THE SYSTEM

Paul SMITH - Convenor - (Ireland)

The members of Working Group 37.27 were:

2.1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................6

3. AGEING AND ITS IMPACT ON THE SYSTEM........................................................................17

3.1 WHY IS AGEING AN ISSUE? .............................................................................................................17

4. STRATEGIES AND SOLUTIONS TO DEAL WITH AGEING ................................................24

4.1 INTRODUCTION ..............................................................................................................................24

5. CHOICE OF STRATEGY ..............................................................................................................28

5.1 INTRODUCTION ..............................................................................................................................28

Ageing of the System – Impact on Planning CIGRÉ WG 37-27

Appendix 1. Relevant CIGRÉ Activities

Appendix 2. Terms of Reference

Appendix 3. Additional Statistical Information

Appendix 4. Case Studies

Appendix 5. Example of RCM Approach to Refurbishment

Appendix 6. Design to Facilitate Maintenance and Refurbishment

Appendix 7. Asset Replacement Planner

Ageing of the System – Impact on Planning CIGRÉ WG 37-27

Ageing of the System – Impact on Planning CIGRÉ WG 37-27

Ageing of the System – Impact on Planning CIGRÉ WG 37-27

Ageing of the System – Impact on Planning CIGRÉ WG 37-27

2.2 Data Collection

Ageing of the System – Impact on Planning CIGRÉ WG 37-27

CVT’s ≥110 39 (30 to 50) 7 Moisture ingress, PCB contamination of oil

Indoor GIS ≥110 42 (30 to 50) 8 Rating requirements/fault duty changes/

Electro- - 32 (20 to 45) 9 Wear, contact erosion, reliability, verdigris,

Ageing of the System – Impact on Planning CIGRÉ WG 37-27

2.3 Overhead Lines and Underground Cables

Towers Wood Poles OHL - ACSR

Fig. 2.1 Age Distribution of Overhead Lines

2.3.1. Aluminium Conductor Steel Reinforced (ACSR):

Ageing of the System – Impact on Planning CIGRÉ WG 37-27

Fig. 2.2 Age Distribution and Life Estimates for ACSR

Ageing of the System – Impact on Planning CIGRÉ WG 37-27

2.3.2. Steel Lattice Towers

Age in 1998 (years)

Ageing of the System – Impact on Planning CIGRÉ WG 37-27

2.3.3. Wood Poles

2.3.4. Oil Filled Cables

Ageing of the System – Impact on Planning CIGRÉ WG 37-27

Fig. 2.7 Age Distribution for Substations

Ageing of the System – Impact on Planning CIGRÉ WG 37-27

2.4.1. Circuit Breakers:

Gas CB Oil CB Air CB Age in 1998 (years)

2.4.2. Switchgear Bay Assets

Ageing of the System – Impact on Planning CIGRÉ WG 37-27

Ageing of the System – Impact on Planning CIGRÉ WG 37-27

2.4.4. Indoor Gas Insulated Substations

Age in 1998 (years)

Fig. 2.11 Age Distribution and Life Estimates for GIS

Ageing of the System – Impact on Planning CIGRÉ WG 37-27

Age in 1998 (years)

Electromechanical control and protection equipment is subject to deterioration as a result

Ageing of the System – Impact on Planning CIGRÉ WG 37-27

3.1 Why is ageing an issue?

Fig. 3.1 Installation and Replacement Distributions

Ageing of the System – Impact on Planning CIGRÉ WG 37-27

3.2 Deterioration and Obsolescence

Ageing of the System – Impact on Planning CIGRÉ WG 37-27

3.3 Impact of ageing on equipment

3.3.1. Overhead Lines