This article considers the operating pressures created by the first COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020. The IEA’s Global Energy Review 2020, published on 29 April 2020, described falling electricity demand during full lockdowns in several countries. Higher residential consumption did not offset the reduction in commercial and industrial activity.
The extent and timing of that change varied across systems. National demand figures alone could not show how an individual transformer was loaded, but changing consumption patterns and restricted access to sites created immediate questions for network operators and maintenance teams.
The great fall of conventions
In spring 2020, the duration of restrictions and the pace of recovery remained uncertain. Operators needed flexible maintenance plans rather than an assumption that a particular monthly lockdown pattern would continue for several years.
Transformers can operate with varying load profiles within their design and assessed loading limits. A change in daily demand does not by itself demonstrate accelerated deterioration. Asset-specific evaluation should consider loading history, ambient conditions, cooling performance, thermal behaviour, insulation condition and the applicable operating limits.
Restrictions on movement, logistics and supply chains could nevertheless affect maintenance by:
- Limiting access for inspection, sampling and repair teams
- Delaying the transport and laboratory analysis of oil samples
- Postponing the delivery, installation or commissioning of monitoring equipment
New frontiers
These pressures made several approaches worth assessing, with their feasibility determined by the asset and local resources:
- More local sampling and laboratory capacity, supported by competent personnel and comparable test methods
- Remote technical support with clear escalation procedures for work requiring an on-site team
- Digital records and monitoring devices that preserve reliable measurements, timestamps and maintenance history
Remote monitoring does not replace every inspection or laboratory test. Teams still need to check sensor quality, investigate abnormal trends and decide when field work cannot be deferred. A useful continuity plan states what information can be reviewed remotely and what action remains necessary at the asset.
Solutions such as RONIN can be discussed within this workflow. Relevant points for a demonstration include:
- How users access their records and assessments
- How remote support and response times are defined in the service arrangement
- Which data formats, monitoring devices and assessment tasks the proposed configuration supports
A demonstration can help establish whether the available workflow fits the team’s maintenance and remote-support needs.
