Advanced Condition Monitoring of a Hydroelectric Power Generation Facility

This paper details the development and application of a Plant Asset Management (PAM) system which turns data into useful information in order to assess asset condition. The system was developed by Matrikon Australia for Meridian Energy Limited, New Zealand’s largest state owned electricity generator. PAM was designed to provide advanced condition monitoring and prediction of asset failures for transformers, turbines, governors and generators. The PAM system integrates engineering expertise, IEEE standards and limits, factory test data, mathematical models, rules and historical operation in order to diagnose the current condition of the asset and to predict when the asset is likely to fail. The paper will focus on phase one of the project which involved the advanced condition monitoring of power transformers with benefits already being realised. Other phases which will be outlined include advanced condition monitoring of turbines, governors and generators.