Smart grid distribution transformer

1. A distribution transformer monitoring system, the distribution transformer monitoring system comprising:

a distribution transformer that includes a transformer fluid tank;

wherein the distribution transformer is communicatively coupled to a monitoring unit that comprises a plurality of sensors, a sensor module, a storage module, and an analysis module,

wherein the plurality of sensors comprises a voltage/current sensor, a fluid sensor coupled to a sensor probe, wherein the sensor probe extends into the transformer fluid tank;

wherein the sensor module is configured to receive sensor data from the plurality of sensors, wherein the sensor data comprises voltage/current data and fluid tank data;

wherein the voltage/current data is received from the voltage/current sensor and is indicative of voltage/current data output by the distribution transformer,

wherein fluid tank data is received from the sensor probe data via the fluid sensor,

wherein the fluid tank data is indicative of a characteristic within the transformer fluid tank;

the storage module to store the sensor data in an internal data storage device;

wherein the analysis module is configured to analyze the sensor data to determine generated data comprising at least diagnostics data; and

wherein the distribution transformer monitoring system is configured to communicate at least one of the sensor data the generated data to a remote computing device.

2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a communication unit comprising an enclosure separate from the monitoring unit; and

a communication module configured to communicate with the remote computing device.

3. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a communication unit comprising an identification module to transmit identification data indicative of the distribution transformer to the remote computing device.

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein to transmit the identification data indicative of the distribution transformer comprises to transmit the identification data with a radio frequency identifier (RFID) system of the communication unit.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the fluid sensor comprises a fluid temperature sensor, an insulating fluid level sensor, a pressure sensor, a water content sensor, or a dissolved gas sensor.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the generated data comprises estimated lifetime consumption data.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein a communication module is configured to communicate an alert to the remote computing device based on the sensor data or the generated data.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein:

the distribution transformer comprises a transformer terminal; and

the voltage/current sensor is coupled to the transformer terminal to measure a voltage/current output by the distribution transformer.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the monitoring unit is powered by the transformer terminal.

10. A method for distribution transformer monitoring, the method comprising:

coupling a monitoring unit with a distribution transformer, wherein the distribution transformer comprises a transformer fluid tank, wherein the monitoring unit comprises a plurality of sensors, a sensor module, a storage module, an analysis module, a communication module and an internal data storage device, wherein the plurality of sensors comprises a voltage/current sensor, a fluid sensor and a sensor probe, wherein the fluid sensor is coupled with the sensor probe, wherein the sensor probe extends into the transformer fluid tank;

coupling a communication unit with the distribution transformer;

communicatively coupling the communication unit with the monitoring unit;

receiving, by the sensor module, sensor data from the plurality of sensors wherein the sensor data comprises voltage/current data and fluid tank data, wherein the voltage/current data is from the voltage/current sensor, wherein the voltage/current data is indicative of a voltage/current output by the distribution transformer, wherein the fluid tank data is from the fluid sensor via the sensor probe, wherein the fluid tank data is indicative of a characteristic within the transformer fluid tank;

storing, by the storage module, the sensor data in the internal data storage device;

analyzing, by analysis module, the sensor data to determine generated data, wherein the generated data comprises at least diagnostics data; and

communicating, by the communication module, the sensor data or the generated data to a remote computing device via the communication unit.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the communication unit comprises an enclosure separate from the monitoring unit.

12. The method of claim 10 , further comprising transmitting, by an identification module of the communication unit, identification data indicative of the distribution transformer to the remote computing device.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein transmitting the identification data indicative of the distribution transformer comprises transmitting the identification data with a radio frequency identifier (RFID) system of the communication unit.

14. The method of claim 10 , wherein the fluid sensor comprises a fluid temperature sensor, an insulating fluid level sensor, a pressure sensor, a water content sensor, or a dissolved gas sensor.

15. The method of claim 10 , wherein the generated data comprises estimated lifetime consumption data.

16. The method of claim 10 , wherein the distribution transformer comprises a transformer terminal, wherein the monitoring unit is powered by the transformer terminal.