There is a need to develop the new metrics and analytics required to support best practices in underground transmission system life-cycle management. Proposed research intends to better understand underground transmission system materials, component, and subsystem performance by:

• Collecting and analyzing industry wide cable system inspection, periodic testing (e.g., dissolved gas in oil analysis, insulation tests, partial discharge), and outage and maintenance work management data.
• Design, develop, populate, maintain, and extract information from industrywide databases (IDBs) for underground transmission systems and components that help quantify historical performance.
• Assess and understand factors influencing asset performance.
• Develop methodologies to project and assess future performance and risk.

The results would help utilities better understand:

• Material, component, and subsystem performance.
• The impact of make, model, manufacturer, environment, and operating practice.
• Cable insulation service life.