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U.S. Department of Energy Studies Distribution Transformer Types and Demand Drivers

Study will help inform industry and prepare for growing electricity demand

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Electricity (OE) today released a new report focusing on distribution transformers in the electrical power grid. The report, prepared for OE by researchers at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), looks at the number of U.S. distribution transformer units, the number and capacity of the assets, the units’ current age profile, and how demand for distribution transformers might increase in the coming years.

Distribution transformers serve every type of load on the electrical grid—homes, businesses, manufacturing, data centers—and as U.S. demand grows, so will the demand for these critical grid assets. Distribution transformers “step down” electricity voltage from higher electrical power line voltages so the level is safe for consumer use.

Researchers found that three things are driving demand for distribution transformers—how many fail and require replacement, how many reach their end-of-life, and how the increasing number of new customers are driving demand on an annual basis. The study also looks at the major drivers of demand including data centers, electric vehicles and charging stations, and renewable energy generation that requires “step up” transformers with similar characteristics to distribution transformers. Many different types of transformers exist, and they are either mounted on the power pole or on the ground.

”This report will help us understand the differences in transformers used by power companies and how they will need to function to advance the 21^st century grid,” said Michael Pesin, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Grid Systems and Components in OE. “Working with our labs and industry will help OE develop better strategies to manage demand now and in the future.”

Researchers estimate that about 55 percent of in-service distribution transformers are older than 33 years and increases in electricity demand on these older transformers could accelerate the rate at which these in-service units fail.

Read the Distribution Transformer Demand: Understanding Demand Segmentation, Drivers, and Management Through 2050 report.

Learn more about the Office of Electricity.

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