Md. Code Regs. 20.50.02.06

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 22, November 1, 2024

Section 20.50.02.06 - Life-Cycle Cost Analysis to Guide the Purchase of Liquid-Immersed Distribution Transformers

A. Scope. This regulation does not apply to an electric cooperative that supplies electricity to fewer than 60,000 electric meters in the State.

B. Purchase of Liquid-Immersed Distribution Transformers.

(1) Beginning January 1, 2009, a utility shall use the life-cycle cost methodology contained in NEMA Standards Publication TP 1-2002, which is incorporated by reference under COMAR 20.50.02.02B, when selecting any liquid-immersed distribution transformer for purchase.

(2) Evaluation of Distribution Transformer Models.

(a) Within each capacity class or type of liquid-immersed distribution transformer, a reasonable number of commercially available models shall be evaluated, and, except as provided §B(2)(b) of this regulation, a utility shall select for purchase the model in each capacity class or type with the lowest total owning costs as determined by the life-cycle cost methodology.

(b) If a utility is soliciting bids to supply multiple capacity classes or types of liquid-immersed distribution transformers under a single contract, models offered by a supplier in more than one capacity class or type may be combined for purposes of life-cycle cost evaluation.

(c) A utility shall select for purchase the aggregation of models offered by a supplier in the combined classes or types with the lowest total owning cost as determined by the life-cycle cost methodology in §B(2)(b) of this regulation.

(d) Under this section, a utility shall use:

(i) The values for load losses and no-load losses as determined by the "Uniform Test Method for Measuring the Energy Consumption of Distribution Transformers", Appendix A to Subpart K of 10 CFR Part 431, as amended, which is incorporated by reference; and

(ii) The estimated value of energy and capacity from the most current year available at the time of any bid solicitation.

C. This regulation does not require a utility to purchase any liquid-immersed distribution transformer that fails to meet federal energy efficiency standards specified in 10 CFR Part 431, as amended, which is incorporated by reference.

D. Each utility shall keep sufficient records to give evidence of compliance with this regulation.

Md. Code Regs. 20.50.02.06

Regulation .06 adopted effective September 21, 2009 (36:19 Md. R. 1438); amended effective 46:24 Md. R. 1104, eff. 12/2/2019