Avangrid buys new mobile transformer to more quickly resolve outages
Avangrid recently acquired a mobile transformer that allows the company to quickly resolve outages in the event of a damaged transformer.
The new 168 megavolt-ampere (MVA) mobile transformer was custom-made for Avangrid and purchased from Hitachi Energy. It can be deployed and installed within a couple months to any of Avangrid’s onshore wind and solar facilities due to the transformer’s multi-voltage capabilities.
The transformer’s unique technology will bring energy production back online while replacement equipment is procured.
“We are thrilled to have this first mobile transformer, which is an exciting new addition to Avangrid’s toolkit and will improve the resiliency and reliability of our wind and solar operations across the United States,” Pedro Azagra, Avangrid CEO, said. “When we reduce downtime at our renewable energy assets, we ensure that clean energy keeps flowing to our customers. New, innovative pieces of equipment like this are key to delivering on Avangrid’s mission to accelerate the clean energy transition.”
Consisting of three modules, the transformer will be hauled on trailers with semi-trucks to the site.
“The clean energy transition relies heavily on partnerships and collaboration. Working with Avangrid to design this innovative and versatile transformer solution ensures clean, reliable energy when and where it’s needed most, even if a transformer is damaged after a major storm,” Steve McKinney, head of Hitachi Energy’s Transformer Business, North America, said. “As part of this collaboration with Avangrid, this unique engineering solution also incorporates the skills of our expert services team to support installation and commissioning for fast relief and restoration, which is especially critical in an industry facing longer than usual lead times for new equipment.”
Utility-scale transformers manage the flow of energy from generating facilities to the consumer. When these machines fail, power generation must stop — and replacing them can take 18 months or longer.
