Grid stability and resilience |
GE Research and Prolec GE claim world first for flexible transformer in Mississippi
In “a major step towards modernising the foundations of the US grid”, GE Research and Prolec GE have teamed up with Cooperative Energy to develop and install what they describe as “the world first flexible large power transformer”, at the utility’s major substation in Columbia, Mississippi
Left: The “world’s first large flexible transformer”, installed and undergoing field validation at Cooperative Energy’s major substation in Columbia, MS. Photo credit: Cooperative Energy
The new transformer, rated at 165kV, 60/80/100 MVA and developed as part of an ongoing project funded through the US Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Electricity, is undergoing six months of field validation to assess its performance and understand how this new technology could transform grid management in the future. Historically, the existing infrastructure has performed reliably. But as higher percentages of renewables such as wind and solar power come online, new transformers, with much greater flexibility in terms of impedance, will be required to support the grid via voltage regulation, improved stability, fault management, and transmission line restoration and resiliency. The new large flexible transformer technology is said to be “poised to help meet this need.” “The Department of Energy’s $2.4 million investment to develop this first-of-its-kind flexible transformer will help make the grid more resilient to severe weather events, more secure from cyberattacks, and able to handle more clean energy sources”, said US secretary of energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “It’s yet another example of the innovation that’s possible when the public and private sectors collaborate.”
“Strengthening our grid and facilitating the transition to a more renewable-intensive energy portfolio will require a more flexible infrastructure, including transformers, to manage the wider range of voltage and frequency oscillation that utility operators will see,” said Ibrahima Ndiaye, technology manager at GE Research Center and project leader. “Our flexible large power transformer, a world- first, will deliver unprecedented flexibility to not only manage more dynamic grids, but do so in a way that could revolutionise the resiliency of the grid in terms of fault management, spare coverage and adaptability for grid restoration.” “Cooperative Energy, as a member-focused electric cooperative, is continually working to update and maintain our transmission system, thus ensuring its resilience and reliability,” said Jeff C Bowman, president and CEO of the utility. “Advanced hardware and grid components such as the flexible large power transformer will help us meet many of the challenges our industry faces, now and in the future, and ensure reliable service.”
“After all the research, development and thorough testing, the new flexible transformer
24 | January/February 2022|
www.modernpowersystems.com
technology has begun a field validation to authenticate its performance and demonstrate how this technology could lead to a major grid management change, said Pedro Puente, R&D director at Prolec GE. He noted that “the innovative flexible impedance technology has been successfully patented.”
Ndiaye noted that the introduction of new transformer technologies is coming at a “pivotal time for the nation’s grid infrastructure.” It is estimated that more than 70% of the US installed large transformer base (>60 MVA) is 25 years old or more, with around 15% exceeding the average life expectancy of 40 years. “Gradual replacement of the existing fleet with more flexible power transformer solutions would greatly expand the grid capacity and accommodate more renewable resources and highly variable loads.”
Cooperative Energy generates and transmits electricity to 11 member-owned electric distribution cooperatives. Known as the “Power of 12”, Cooperative Energy and its member cooperatives own and maintain more than 57 000 miles of distribution lines and provide power to approximately 437 000 homes and businesses throughout 55 counties.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45
