Introduction

SPPG has decades of experience in conducting failure investigations and archiving records for reference. With near impeccable failure record, there are only limited failure data. However, it is essential to analyse those failures to develop meaningful insight and minimise any further failures. Therefore, this project is to develop solutions which take into consideration the current operations practices, failure statistics, local operating environment and maintenance information to analyse the root causes of failures, to predict future failure probability or lifespan, and to put in mitigation measures to minimise future distribution equipment failure rates.

Objective

The objective of this research project is to enhance network reliability through the proposed optimisation of the mitigation measures to minimize failures based on statistical model and structure mitigation development process using Failure Mode, Effects and Criticality Analysis (FMECA) of the distribution equipment. Successful implementation will enable understanding of equipment lifespan from statistical failure modelling, deep dive into various failure modes holistically, adopting cost effective mitigation measures through a risk-based approach as well as tracking their effectiveness. This will reduce future failure rates of distribution equipment and sustain network reliability and resilience in the long run.

Outcome

The deliverables of the project are software modules that will enable the research outcomes as follows:

• Failure statistics model to establish current failure rates and project estimated lifespan based on future failure rates from statistical modelling and data analytics.
• Failure Mode, Effects and Criticality Analysis (FMECA) Framework to design the RCM programme, addressing comprehensive failure modes and developing comprehensive mitigation plans over lifecycle.
• Optimization model for the failure mitigation measures to improve network reliability including lifecycle cost and risk and evaluate its effectiveness.