118. Role of Specifications & Method of Evaluation for Improving Quality and Reliability of Transformers

Energy literally provides light to our lives. Today it is absolutely indispensable to the modern civilization. The need for Energy is ever increasing and to ensure that we have enough of it tomorrow, we have only one measure today that is “conservation” and the need to have a thorough analysis of the factors contributing to Energy savings and cutting down wastage to a bare minimum. Today the Aggregate Technical and Commercial Losses (AT&C Losses) in India is probably hovering around an alarming rate of 40–50%, which is the cause of serious concern. The current scenario of Indian Power Sector demands commercial and financial viability of the Utilities and Power Generating Companies in order to meet the growing demands for Electricity. Lots of investments are called for augmentation of generation and improvement of Transmission and Distribution Transformers. Transformers on the whole form a sizeable portion in the Power Sector, and play a vital role in the overall efficiency of the distribution system. Today various Electricity Boards, Private Utilities and Industries are purchasing the same type of Transformers with different Technical Specifications. Some of the specifications even have become obsolete and are still being followed without being updated. A large number of Transformers are getting added to the existing system and hence contribute substantially to the overall system efficiency. A careful planning and methodical approach towards making of the Technical Specifications and method of Tender Evaluation can greatly improve the quality of the Transformers being inducted into the system thereby increasing the overall efficiency of the system. In the Aggregate Technical and Commercial Losses, the commercial portion can be addressed by better management, control policies and enforcing necessary legislations. However, the Technical Losses can be directly addressed by certain simple rules and being a little careful while publishing Tender documents for purchase of Transformers. This is specially so as majority of the procurements of Transformers in India are still done against public tenders. This paper emphasizes on the Role of Specification and Method of Tender evaluation for improving Quality and Reliability of the Transformers.