In less than an hour, Helsinki University Hospital switched from the time consuming, physical inspection of its transformers to ABB’s cloud-based digital solution.
Jari-Pekka Korhonen, Operations Manager for the hospital, explains, “We operate both dry and oil transformers, which require regular monitoring and inspection. For the oil transformers, this required a complete shutdown to take samples – a massive challenge in a busy hospital performing 87,000 surgical procedures every year and with many patients on life-support.
“We have transformers scattered across this massive site,” says Korhonen. “My team can’t physically be everywhere, so we needed to be able to monitor and supervise remotely.”
Using the recently launched ABB Ability Asset Manager for Transformers – a solution developed in partnership with Danish startup Oktogrid – Korhonen and his team are now able to access key operational performance data and real-time trends for the transformers via the cloud. This has not only reduced the requirement for time-consuming physical inspections, and costly shutdowns but also provided the hospital’s management team with a wealth of actionable data around the performance and efficiency of the transformers.
The solution works with any type, make or aged transformer by measuring sounds and vibrations, the temperature and magnetic field to facilitate real-time, remote condition and performance monitoring, with no asset downtime or redundancy.
Helsinki University Hospital (HUS) is the biggest health care provider in Finland. Responsible for the health of 2.2 million residents of 24 municipalities, HUS treats around 700,000 patients every year while employing 27,500 professionals which makes them the second-largest employer in the country.
HUS consumes electrical energy equal to a small town. Supporting this output is a network of transformers, which require regular inspection and occasional shutdown – an almost impossible task in a hospital requiring 100% uptime to safeguard patients’ lives.
“We are now getting uninterrupted real time data on the transformers, which wasn’t possible with visual inspections, which could only tell if there was a leak or change in either the temperature of the unit or the sound it’s making,” adds Korhonen. “We can monitor the transformers 24/7 and are immediately aware of any issues that may require our attention.”
Sixten Holm, Business Development Manager from ABB Electrification Service said, “We are delighted to have helped HUS solve its inspection challenges with our game-changing transformer sensing device. We have significantly reduced the number of physical inspections required and limited the need to perform oil analysis. Crucial data regarding the health of the electrical system is now readily accessible, enabling early fault detection and improved condition-based maintenance.
“There are many electrical network transformers in the market, which are challenging to monitor without physical intervention and possible shutdown. Some have never been monitored in 15-20 years, due to the high costs and complexity. ABB Ability Asset Manager for Transformers overcomes these barriers as a simple and cost-effective way to modernize the grid.”
