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IEC TR 62978:2017 – HVDC Installations – Guidelines on Asset Management
💡 Key Insight: IEC TR 62978 is the first international standard framework to provide comprehensive asset management guidelines specifically tailored for HVDC installations, filling a critical gap where utilities previously relied on ad-hoc practices derived from HVAC experience.
1. The Need for HVDC-Specific Asset Management
High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) systems have become a cornerstone technology for bulk power transmission worldwide, offering superior controllability of transmitted power, stabilization of connected AC networks, and dynamic control of frequency and reactive power. However, the asset management practices for HVDC installations have traditionally been based on each utility’s own interpretation and experience, lacking a standardized reference framework.
IEC TR 62978 addresses this gap by providing comprehensive guidelines on asset management perspectives for HVDC installations, drawing from best practices of asset owners, operators, original equipment manufacturers, and regulators within the power industry. The standard aligns with the ISO 55000 series while addressing the unique technological differences between HVDC and conventional HVAC systems.
An asset management system, as defined in this standard, encompasses the entire asset life cycle from planning and creation through utilization, operation, maintenance, and ultimately retirement and disposal. This holistic approach ensures that organizations can optimally and sustainably manage their HVDC assets while balancing performance, risks, and expenditures.
⚠ Design Consideration: Unlike HVAC systems, HVDC converter stations contain specialized equipment such as thyristor valves, converter transformers, DC reactors, and smoothing capacitors that require fundamentally different maintenance strategies and spares philosophies. Generic asset management approaches developed for AC systems are often inadequate.
2. Asset Management Framework and Risk Management
2.1 Core Components of HVDC Assets
The standard identifies the main asset components of an HVDC system and provides a structured framework for managing these assets throughout their operational life. The following table summarizes the key asset categories and their associated management considerations:
| Asset Component | Typical Lifetime (Years) | Key Management Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Thyristor Valves | 30-40 | Periodic maintenance, cooling system integrity, surge protection |
| Converter Transformers | 25-35 | Oil analysis, bushing condition monitoring, tap-changer maintenance |
| DC Reactors | 30-40 | Insulation resistance, vibration monitoring, core condition |
| AC Filters | 25-30 | Capacitor bank health, tuning verification, switching device condition |
| DC Filters | 25-30 | Component ageing, partial discharge monitoring |
| Control & Protection Systems | 15-20 | Software obsolescence, cybersecurity, hardware upgrade planning |
| Cooling Systems | 20-30 | Pump maintenance, heat exchanger cleaning, coolant quality |
| DC Switchyard | 30-40 | Insulator cleaning, contact resistance measurement, mechanism lubrication |
2.2 Risk Management Framework
The standard emphasizes that risk management is integral to HVDC asset management. Organizations must establish systematic risk assessment processes that evaluate asset criticality, failure probability, and consequence severity. Typical risk assessment parameters include:
- Technical risk: Ageing rate, failure history, technology obsolescence
- Financial risk: Cost of failure, replacement cost, market impact of outages
- Safety risk: Personnel safety during maintenance, public safety, environmental impact
- Operational risk: Impact on system reliability, grid stability, power transfer capability
✅ Best Practice: The standard recommends implementing a structured decision-making process for asset management that considers life cycle costing, spares strategies, life extension programs, and run-to-failure strategies. Each approach should be evaluated against the specific HVDC system’s operational context and business objectives.
3. Maintenance Strategies and Life Cycle Management
3.1 Maintenance Methodologies
IEC TR 62978 provides detailed guidance on maintenance strategies for different HVDC components. The table below summarizes the recommended maintenance approaches:
| Maintenance Type | Typical Interval | Application Area |
|---|---|---|
| Routine Inspection | Weekly/Monthly | Visual checks, thermal scanning, oil level verification |
| Periodic Maintenance | Annually | Valve cooling system, filter banks, switchyard equipment |
| Major Overhaul | 3-5 Years | Converter transformers, thyristor valve sections, DC reactors |
| Condition-Based | As Required | Based on monitoring data, oil analysis results, PD measurements |
| Predictive | Continuous | Online monitoring systems, trend analysis, digital twin models |
3.2 Spares Strategy and Life Extension
A critical aspect of HVDC asset management is the development of a robust spares strategy. The standard addresses strategic spares philosophy, including sharing arrangements between utilities, storage considerations, and the unique challenge of maintaining spare thyristor valves and converter transformers that may have long manufacturing lead times.
Life extension strategies are particularly important for HVDC systems, which often have operational lifetimes exceeding 40 years. The standard provides guidance on assessing equipment condition for life extension, identifying critical degradation mechanisms, and planning refurbishment activities to maximize return on investment.
3.3 Reliability and Availability Monitoring
Performance monitoring is a cornerstone of effective HVDC asset management. The standard establishes requirements for availability and reliability measurement, including the classification of scheduled and unscheduled outages, outage duration tracking, and the calculation of key performance indicators such as energy availability factor and forced outage rate.
🚨 Critical Note: The standard highlights that HVDC control and protection systems have specific reliability criteria that must be verified, including redundancy requirements, fail-safe behavior, and the ability to withstand electromagnetic interference. These systems should be subjected to rigorous type testing and periodic validation throughout their service life.
4. Change Management and Training
The standard recognizes that effective asset management extends beyond technical considerations to encompass organizational capabilities. Key areas addressed include:
- Skill retention: Given the specialized nature of HVDC technology, maintaining technical competence over the long term is a significant challenge. The standard provides strategies for skill development, knowledge transfer, and partnership arrangements.
- Documentation: Comprehensive “as-built” documentation, operation manuals, and maintenance records are essential for effective asset management. The standard specifies documentation requirements for control system hardware and software, system studies, and equipment specifications.
- Training requirements: Structured training programs for design engineers, commissioning staff, operators, and maintenance personnel are critical to ensure safe and efficient HVDC system operation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How does IEC TR 62978 relate to ISO 55000?
IEC TR 62978 adopts the general asset management principles of ISO 55000 and provides specific guidance tailored to HVDC installations. While ISO 55000 provides a generic framework applicable to any industry, IEC TR 62978 addresses the unique technological, operational, and safety considerations of HVDC systems.
Q2: Is IEC TR 62978 applicable to both LCC-HVDC and VSC-HVDC systems?
Yes, the guidelines in IEC TR 62978 are broadly applicable to both Line-Commutated Converter (LCC) HVDC and Voltage-Sourced Converter (VSC) HVDC systems. However, specific maintenance and asset management requirements may differ between the two technologies, and users should adapt the guidance accordingly.
Q3: What is the recommended approach for strategic spares sharing between utilities?
The standard provides an informative annex on sharing HVDC strategic spares, including a typical framework for cooperation agreements, cost-sharing arrangements, and logistical considerations for shared spare storage and deployment. This approach can significantly reduce the capital burden of maintaining comprehensive spares inventories.
Q4: How should asset managers address technology obsolescence in HVDC control systems?
The standard recommends proactive obsolescence management through regular technology reviews, maintaining relationships with multiple suppliers, developing upgrade roadmaps, and ensuring that replacement parts or alternative solutions are identified before critical components become unavailable. Control and protection systems typically have a shorter life cycle (15-20 years) compared to primary plant equipment.
