The TXpertTM Enabled power transformers from Hitachi ABB Power Grids are expected to result in a 60% drop in downtime and 35% longer life expectancy at TATA Steel’s Thailand manufacturing sites
The Challenge
Thailand is aiming to enhance its status as a regional logistics hub and for that it needs to continue investing in transport infrastructure and urbanization; this requires steel.
Production of steel is an energy-intensive manufacturing process that needs efficient and reliable electricity supply. The steel-making process starts with melting of iron ore or recycled steel and ends with products such as steel coils, plates, sections or bars. The manufacturing processes requires high currents that enable extremely high temperatures and frequent on- and off-switching for rapid cool down. These huge fluctuations in power consumption create voltage variations, stressing the electrical infrastructure, including transformers, to their limits.
Transformers are critical assets in electrical networks. A transformer outage can cause substantial loss in industrial production, for example if a furnace starts to cool down when it is not supposed to. Setting up smart condition monitoring and diagnostics for the transformer fleet and maintaining it efficiently is critical to prevent power outages and avoid loss of production.