Dashboard Solutions for Asset Management

Managing Data from Condition-Based Monitors

Challenges of Asset Management

Organizations should understand what they intend to do with the data coming from online monitoring of transformers, circuit breakers and more. Data is the best way to manage a fleet of assets. Ideally before implementing monitoring, it is best to create a plan for managing data. However, the challenge faced is a daunting task of working collaboratively with various stakeholders who have different priorities and requirements. There is also a bias to use existing operating systems to simplify architecture by leveraging previous communication and IT systems. Yet this often creates a conflicting environment where existing systems and processes do not meet business requirements for monitoring. It is best to benchmark with peer groups and listen to users who have mature systems in place.

How do I manage the data from condition monitoring?

When dealing with online monitoring, many ask “what do I do with the data”? A mistake to avoid is relying on system operators to turn information from the monitoring system into an action plan. The reality is a system operator must prioritize immediate requirements to maintain system reliability and safety. They will always deprioritize asset management information.

The solution is to partition information intended for asset management into a separate dashboard. There are several options to achieve this:

  • Invest in PI database servers to address various business needs. Although extremely powerful, this approach can be expensive and resource intensive.
  • Utilize a purpose-built end-to-end single vendor solution. This streamlines the process and reduces the resources and costs to manage a fleet of transformer and breaker monitors. This eliminates point-to-point SCADA mapping, provides a concerns index for work prioritization, and eliminates organizational challenges to accessing data.

How does a concerns index improve asset management?

Fundamentally, asset management is about resource allocation to optimize system reliability. Assets begin aging when they are put into service. Asset managers provide recommendations on where maintenance and replacement budgets are best used to prevent unplanned outages and service disruptions. No budget or resource pool is infinite, so assets must be prioritized based on some set of criteria. A concerns index is one tool used to simplify those decisions.

A concerns or health index provides an overview status of the asset. This makes it easy for asset managers to assess if equipment needs immediate attention or is in good operating condition. One of the key benefits of continuous online monitoring is the ability to trend the condition of equipment. This allows asset managers to make informed decisions on a problem. The concerns index scores assets that need immediate attention differently than those that are at low risk for failure. Therefore, the concerns index is a key tool when performing risk management on a large fleet of assets.

Concerns Index

Introducing an Asset Performance Management System

DynamicMetrix®

DynamicMetrix® is a dashboard visualization tool to help manage your power generation, transmission and distribution assets. Using this software, we help utilities collect and use condition-based monitoring information on their high voltage electrical equipment to improve their business performance.

READ MORE

Additional Resources

ARTICLE

Situational Awareness Brought to You by IoT

VIDEO

WEBCAST

METADATA: The Key to Understanding the Condition of your Assets