Avaliação da vida útil de um transformador da subestação de uma usina eólica: Um estudo de caso no nordeste brasileiro

Abstract

This article performs correlation analyzes between the aging of a transformer with forced ventilation of a northeastern wind farm in Brazil with the variation of wind speed. The main objective is to verify if the power oscillation existing in the wind farms accelerates the degradation of the transformer, thus identifying a factor of correct dimensioning of the transformers, preventing high maintenance and operation costs of the companies that generate this type of energy. Such verification’s are carried out using international standards with equivalence in the country, that consider apparent power and ambient temperature as the main factors for calculating aging. The results show that the temperature of the hottest point of the winding can reach approximately 130 degrees celsius, which reduces the lifespan of the transformer. In order for the transformer to operate for 35 years, this article concludes that the power of the substation transformer must be about 0.8 of the rated power of the wind farm.