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Transformer shortage hits utilities in storm season
E&E News ^ | 08/22/2022 06:55 AM EDT | Peter Behr |

Posted on 08/22/2022 1:08:47 PM PDT by deport

As the peak time for U.S. hurricanes arrives, utilities along the nation’s coastlines are facing unprecedented delays in obtaining new power transformers, the critical grid equipment that moves electricity over wires. “There are shortages [of transformers] all over, in all four corners of the U.S.,” Marshall said. “We’re talking about a crisis we see, but a lot of the outside world doesn’t.”

An already tight supply line for transformers has become more constrained as an array of forces push supply and demand further apart, a Department of Energy investigation documented this year. U.S. utilities are heavily dependent on foreign transformer manufacturers, and that supply chain — like many others — has grown tighter because of disruptions associated with the Covid-19 pandemic. Existing U.S.-based transformer builders report difficulties in finding the highly skilled workers required to ensure compliance with stiff quality standards.

(Excerpt) Read more at eenews.net ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Miscellaneous; Society; Weather
KEYWORDS: electricity; outages; weather; xformers
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Keep your candles and lanterns handy.
1 posted on 08/22/2022 1:08:47 PM PDT by deport
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To: deport
Hurricane season has been quiet. Transformers can be had from the Japanese if need be.

2 posted on 08/22/2022 1:10:17 PM PDT by Governor Dinwiddie (LORD, grant thy people grace to withstand the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil.)
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To: deport

If you like charging your EV you can keep doing it. (typed in my best Obama voice)


3 posted on 08/22/2022 1:10:47 PM PDT by Tell It Right (1st Thessalonians 5:21 -- Put everything to the test, hold fast to that which is true.)
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To: deport

What about Decepticons?


4 posted on 08/22/2022 1:14:54 PM PDT by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
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To: deport

Utilities don’t have service yards with storage for a cache of spares.

Did Mattel stop making transformers?


5 posted on 08/22/2022 1:15:32 PM PDT by Paladin2
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To: Governor Dinwiddie

Utilities don’t have experienced planners?


6 posted on 08/22/2022 1:16:59 PM PDT by Paladin2
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To: deport

So does China have any transformer manufacturing?


7 posted on 08/22/2022 1:20:59 PM PDT by antidemoncrat
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To: dfwgator

“Unlike the Autobots, whose leader is a Prime bearing a Matrix, the Decepticons are led by the most powerful of their ranks. This tends to cause some conflict, given how generally every Decepticon thinks that they’re the most powerful.”

Gotta be on the lookout. Don’t get caught with your pants down.


8 posted on 08/22/2022 1:26:27 PM PDT by deport
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To: Paladin2
Good point.

9 posted on 08/22/2022 1:26:39 PM PDT by Governor Dinwiddie (LORD, grant thy people grace to withstand the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil.)
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To: deport

“””Gotta be on the lookout. Don’t get caught with your pants down.”””

Don’t Gary Busey me bro.


10 posted on 08/22/2022 1:33:46 PM PDT by ansel12 (NATO warrior under Reagan, and RA under Nixon, bemoaning the pro-Russians from Vietnam to Ukraine.)
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To: dfwgator

11 posted on 08/22/2022 1:34:53 PM PDT by shotgun
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1. General Electric

General Electric (GE), an American multinational with annual revenues of about $100 billion, is one of the well-known transformer manufacturers in USA and the world.

The company is a leading producer of high voltage, network, distribution, auxiliary, substation, industrial, instrument as well as current and capacitive transformers.

GE transformers are broadly classified as dry-type encapsulated and enclosed, dry type vented, dry-type non ventilated, control power core and coil, power, secondary substation, and distribution.

In 2020, the company’s total revenue dropped to $79.6 billion from $95.2 in 2019.

2. Siemens

Siemens, a German multinational with annual revenues of more than $90 billion, is the leading transformers manufacturer in Europe.

The company offers a range of transformers including HVDC (high voltage direct current) transformers, phase shifting transformers, power transformers, and industrial transformers among others.

Some of the industries served by Siemens include oil & gas, mining, cement, automotive, aerospace, chemical, pharmaceutical, cranes, as well as food and beverage.

In 2020, Siemens’ revenue dropped to $64 billion from $98 billion in 2019.

3. Mitsubishi Electric

Mitsubishi Electric, a Japanese multinational headquartered in Chiyoda City in Tokyo, Japan, is naturally one of the leading transformers manufacturers in the world.

The company that generates more than $40 billion in annual revenues produces various types of transformers including gas insulated, recti-formers, substation, auto, traction, and step-up transformers.

Mitsubishi Electric’s 2020 revenues marginally dropped to $42.4 billion from $42.9 billion in 2019.

4. Toshiba

With annual revenues of more than $30 billion, Toshiba – also a Japanese conglomerate that is based in Minato, Tokyo, is without a doubt a leading manufacturer of transformer.

Since 1894 when Toshiba manufactured its first power transformer, the company has grown into a global market leader with an installed base that covers 35 countries.

Toshibaoffers transformers with power ratings of between 69 kV and 765 kV and from 100 MVA to 800 MVA as well as 1,100+ MVA for custom orders.

In 2020, Toshiba’s revenues dropped to $31.4 billion from $33.9 billion in 2019.

5. Schneider Electric

Schneider Electric, which is based in France, is one of the major transformer makers in Europe with annual revenues of more than $25 billion.

Schneider Electric produces general purpose, industrial control, dry type, liquid, low voltage, instrument as well as three- and single-phase transformers.

The US is the biggest market for Schneider Electric, accounting for 40% of its customers. This is followed by India and France at 8% each, with the UK accounting for 5%.

In 2020, the company reported $28.7 billion in revenues down from $30.4 billion in 2019.

6. ABB Ltd

ABB (formerly ASEA Brown Boveri) is one of the top transformer manufacturers providing liquid-filled and dry-type transformers as well as full life-cycle support that includes replacement parts and components.

The Swedish–Swiss multinational also manufactures distribution, power, and special application transformers to a diverse range of clients across various industries.

The company made $28 billion in revenues in 2020.

7. Hyundai Heavy Industries

Renowned as one of the principal heavy industries in the world, South Korean Hyundai Heavy Industries is well diversified into production of power transformers.

Indeed, Hyundai Heavy Industries is one of the top transformer manufacturers in Asia.

The company uses advanced technology to create various types of transformers including dry-type, cast resin, oil immersed, and specialised transformers that are designed to meet the needs of its clienteles.

The company made $13.1 billion in revenues in 2020.

8. TBEA

Headquartered in Changji, China, TBEA is one of the oldest transformer makers in China. The company produces and distributes a range of apparatuses including transformers, cables, wires, and HV switches.

TBEA (formerly Tebian Electrical Apparatus) also offers inverter and energy solutions for the design, construction, repair, operation, and maintenance of photovoltaic electric and wind power plants.

The company’s annual output capacity for its projects exceeds 200 million kVA.

9. China XD Electric Co Ltd

Founded in 2008, China XD Electric Co Ltd., which is headquartered in Xi’an, China, manufactures and distributes high quality power transmission, distribution and control apparatus. 

These apparatuses include instrument transformer, HV switchgear substation, insulator, capacitor, lightening conductors, and electric reactors.

China XD Electric Co. is also involved in related engineering, trading, research, development, and testing businesses. The company trades in both domestic and foreign markets.

10. Jiangsu Huapeng

Jiangsu Huapeng Transformer Co. Ltd., a family-owned transformer manufacturer, is China’s top manufacturer of transformer according to a study by the China Transformer Manufacturers Association.

Located in Liyang city, Jiangsu province Jiangsu Huapeng manufactures three-phase, pole-top, oil immersed, and dry type transformers.

The company focuses on the production of transformers with power ratings of up to 750kV, 1000MVA.

Jiangsu Huapeng generates annual revenues of about $800 million.https://www.constructionkenya.com/9589/transformer-manufacturers/

12 posted on 08/22/2022 1:35:01 PM PDT by Rio
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To: antidemoncrat
I suggest Japan because, unlike most of the world, their electric grid is built to American standards.

13 posted on 08/22/2022 1:35:57 PM PDT by Governor Dinwiddie (LORD, grant thy people grace to withstand the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil.)
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To: Governor Dinwiddie
Hurricane season has been quiet.

Now you've guaranteed a hurricane catastrophe. Some things are better left unsaid.

14 posted on 08/22/2022 1:36:46 PM PDT by NautiNurse (The federal tyrants have awakened the sleeping giant. )
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To: NautiNurse

“Hurricane season has been quiet.”

So is the quietness due to the Sahara sands ? Or is the sands due to lack of water ?

Chicken or egg — which came first ?


15 posted on 08/22/2022 1:43:14 PM PDT by George from New England
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To: George from New England
So is the quietness due to the Sahara sands ? Or is the sands due to lack of water ? Chicken or egg — which came first ?

MAN. Not to worry, nothing some major wealth redistribution can't cure. /s

16 posted on 08/22/2022 1:45:54 PM PDT by 1Old Pro
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To: deport; Tilted Irish Kilt; Pollard; Roman_War_Criminal

Prep, prep, prep.

NOW!


17 posted on 08/22/2022 1:52:41 PM PDT by metmom (...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith…)
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To: Governor Dinwiddie

I was just wondering why the US can’t supply them. Is it cheaper to buy them from overseas manufacturing or is it the Greeniacs fighting to keep them from being made here?


18 posted on 08/22/2022 1:53:15 PM PDT by antidemoncrat
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To: deport

Shortage of transformers?

Better get those kiddygarter teachers more fired up.


19 posted on 08/22/2022 2:11:41 PM PDT by Scrambler Bob (My /s is more true than your /science (or you might mean /seance))
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To: deport

I bought an electrical panel and half a dozen key breakers for a DIY project I’ll be doing in 2-3 months, just because I was worried about getting materials. Right after I got it all, there was a news item where Square D was recalling over one million push on neutral residential panels. So I felt good about A) having got my gear and B) not having bought that new-fangled push on neutral stuff.


20 posted on 08/22/2022 2:22:22 PM PDT by FreedomPoster (Islam delenda est)
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