Transformers meet connectivity

Abstract: Digitalization changes everything: by 2020 50 billion “things” will be connected to the internet, and every day more than 5.5 million new devices are...

bySiemens


Abstract:
Digitalization changes everything: by 2020 50 billion “things” will be connected to the internet, and every day more than 5.5 million new devices are being connected. Enterprise analytics platforms like Siemens’ Mindsphere® enable users to develop analytical tools according to their needs in a very easy way. At this year’s Hannover trade show, Siemens Transformers will launch a completely new product class dedicated to digitalization. 

Keywords: data, connect

Introduction
Digitalization changes everything: by 2020 50 billion “things” will be connected to the internet, and every day more than 5.5 million new devices are being connected. However, less than 0.5 % of the data created last year was analyzed or used in any way.

On the way to an Internet of Energy, connectivity is a prerequisite to be part of the game. Up until now the most common digital solution for transformers was to equip them with comprehensive monitoring systems. These devices track data from several sensors in the asset to monitor its cooling, tap changer, load and ageing and are very beneficial for large power transformers – but they are also very expensive and require quite a lot of transformer knowledge from their operators to be able to analyze the data and benefit from it.

The future is in monitoring and analyzing real time data. Enterprise analytics platforms like Siemens’ Mindsphere®, enable users to develop analytical tools according to their needs in a very easy way. Siemens benefits from years of experience of being the industry leader and having been at the forefront of programming dedicated digitalized solutions which were customized to customer or operator specific needs or requirements. Now this digital know-how is combined with the domain expertise of a leading transformer manufacturer to merge physics and information.

Different challenges for different customer groups
A lot of TSO’s and DSO’s are currently not benefiting from digitalization in their assets. Although the need is more evident than ever: renewables and distributed energy generation, as well as consumers’ expectations to benefit from reliable energy 24/7 at lower prices, pose serious challenges to these grid operators. They need to be more flexible than ever to ensure stability and reliability of energy grids and at the same time operate their networks as economically as possible. At the same time, they already need to plan ahead for disruptions like e-cars that will further stress the distribution grids to an unknown extent.

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