GE Grid Solutions Uses Digital X-ray to Assess Substation Health for Petrobras in Brazil

Rhea-AI Summary

GE has successfully utilized digital X-ray technology for the first time in Latin America to conduct a non-intrusive inspection of Petrobras' gas-insulated substation at the Abreu e Lima Refinery in Brazil. This innovative approach reduces equipment downtime for preventive maintenance by up to 75%, significantly minimizing operational impacts. GE's Grid Solutions team employed comprehensive methodologies, including dynamic contact resistance measurement and vibration analysis, to ensure essential maintenance recommendations. This milestone in substation maintenance optimizes risk management and enhances asset evaluation.

Positive

• First-time use of digital X-ray technology in Latin America for substation inspection.
• Up to 75% reduction in equipment downtime for maintenance.
• Comprehensive methodology enhances asset evaluation and risk management.

Negative

• None.

• To assess the condition of Petrobras' substation, GE Grid Solutions Services team performed a non-intrusive inspection, using digital X-ray technology
• This is the first time GE has used this inspection method in Latin America, helping reduce plant outage by up to 75% compared to traditional methodologies
• The non-intrusive service inspection was done at the Abreu e Lima Refinery (RNEST) gas-insulated substation (GIS) in Pernambuco (Brazil)

SÃO PAULO & PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- GE Renewable Energy’s Grid Solutions Services team used digital X-ray technology – guided by the same principle utilized in the healthcare industry – to complement the preventive maintenance in Petrobras’ gas insulated substation (GIS), in the Abreu e Lima Refinery (RNEST), state of Pernambuco (Brazil).

Performed by GE in Latin America for the first time, the inspection strategy designed and implemented at RNEST included several complementary inspection methodologies that eliminate the necessity of opening the equipment to assess the condition of the high voltage circuit breakers. GE’s solution has enabled reduction of equipment downtime for preventive maintenance by up to 75%, minimizing impact on the operations while optimizing risk management through assertive and efficient asset assessment.

In operation for almost a decade, the RNEST 145 kV GIS substation has 15 bays. All equipment underwent preventive maintenance with non-intrusive inspection methodologies, leveraging GE's digital X-ray inspection technology that was applied to evaluate the busbar coupling bay breaker.

“We are very proud to offer Petrobras this non-intrusive inspection strategy, integrating the innovative digital X-ray solution. This ensures that energy is available for its operations, while, concurrently, the care and attention to the assets is applied, mitigating risks of failure,” said Lívia Silva, Commercial Services Leader at GE Grid Solutions in Latin America. “For GE this is a milestone in substation maintenance. Additionally, working in partnership with Petrobras to understand the constraints and objectives of its industrial business helps us identify and streamline the maintenance strategy based on adequate conditions, risk balancing, and productivity."

The overall scope of the inspection was made through dynamic contact resistance measurement, vibration analysis, partial discharge measurement and digital X-ray inspection. GE's Grid Solutions team analyzed data collected to recommend only essential corrective maintenance.

Explore more about X-ray inspection (see case study).

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221201005129/en/

Allison J. Cohen

GE Renewable Energy, Grid Solutions business

External Communications Manager

Allison.J.Cohen@ge.com

Source: GE

FAQ

What significant technology did GE utilize in its inspection for Petrobras?

GE used digital X-ray technology for the first time in Latin America during the inspection.

How much downtime for maintenance did GE's new method reduce?

The new inspection method reduced equipment downtime for maintenance by up to 75%.

Where was the non-intrusive inspection performed by GE?

The inspection was performed at the Abreu e Lima Refinery in Pernambuco, Brazil.

What was the purpose of GE's non-intrusive inspection at Petrobras?

The inspection aimed to assess the condition of high voltage circuit breakers without opening equipment, optimizing risk management.