DOE awards $7.5M for designs of next generation transformers

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is awarding up to $7.5 million for innovative designs for transformers that will strengthen the resilience of the U.S. power grid.

Transformers are fundamental to the grid as just about all of the electricity generated is delivered through these devices.

The awards – which are through the DOE’s Office of Electricity’s Transformer Resilience and Advanced Components (TRAC) Program and Resilient Distribution Systems (RDS) Program – are for innovative designs and prototypes of large power transformers (LPTs) that are more flexible, adaptable, and secure.

The hope is to develop the next generation of transformers that can be replaced more easily, are smarter with embedded sensors and analytics, and are more secure to cyber-physical threats.

“A resilient, reliable, and secure power grid is vital to the Nation’s security, economy, and the services that American communities and businesses depend on every day,” Under Secretary of Energy Mark Menezes said. “Creating the next generation of these critical grid components will help ensure the Nation’s critical energy infrastructure is secure and able to recover rapidly when disruptions occur.”

LPTs can weigh hundreds of tons, cost millions of dollars, and can take one year or more to build. Right now, many are approaching the end of their design lives, presenting an opportunity for next-generation transformers that can provide new capabilities needed in the grid of the future.

The award winners are the Georgia Tech Research Corporation Partners, the University of Texas at Austin Partners, NextWatt LLC, and General Electric.