ITALY -- Enel Infrastructure and Networks division is deploying technology for the digitalization of transformers from Hitachi ABB Power Grids at the ski resort Cortina D'Ampezzo.
The units manufactured by Hitachi ABB will be the first digital power transformers equipped with advanced data-driven capabilities to measure transformer aging and real-time analytics on transformer health. The technology can also enable virtual site management.
This collaboration will start in Italy, where Enel distributes around 200 TWh units of electricity to more than 30 million end-users.
The pilot phase of the project will take place in Enel's substation of Cortina D'Ampezzo using two 40 MVA digital power transformers supplied by the manufacturer.
Cortina D'Ampezzo will host the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in 2021 and the Winter Olympics for a second time in 2026.
Substation operators in Cortina habitually face challenging weather conditions such as heavy snowstorms in winter - and they have recently been contending with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Deploying service workers to regularly check transformer health is expensive and may not always be possible due to the harsh weather conditions, something made easier by the digital power transformers technology.
The manufacturer's technology enables a data-backed, scientific approach for measuring transformer aging and performing analytics on transformer health.
