The transformers report will explore the Power Grids & Advancements in Transformers. The report would cover the following aspects, technological advancements/ innovation in Power Grids (Transformers), and the Identification of transformative players working in these technological areas from a global perspective. Furthermore, the competitive perspective and market analysis are discussed as well.
Traditional Challenges
Modularity in power transformers is one of the most faced traditional challenges. The state of art current power transformer technology is the complex structure and large size of the power transformers along with the required external accessories and components. The large size and external components unnecessarily prolong the transportation, assembling, and installation process.
Innovation in Transformers
In this section of the transformers report the innovations that are aiding in overcoming the shortcomings have been discussed.
To modularize conventional power transformers and improve overall performance with reduced on-site assembly, transportation, and installation time.
Incorporating modularity in power transformers optimizes shipping, maintenance, and installation processes with added functionalities including digital connectivity and better performance. The modular structure of the transformer comprises a number of modules of different dimensions, placed around the transformer tank and coupled to it by means of flanged connections. The modular system incorporates digital connectivity and combines high performance and quality with energy efficiency and decarbonization.
Digital twin of a Power Transformer
On-site maintenance and repairs of equipment (e.g. transformers) require time and manual labor.
To overcome the problem of time management, the digital twin concept provides a digital replica of equipment or process which allows obtaining data in real-time, through sensors installed on equipment, thus optimizing the operation, maintenance, and repairs. Also, digital twin allows operators to remotely monitor and assess the equipment performance in real-time and take appropriate actions.
The digital twin concept provides precise lifecycle management, through the smart monitoring of the service condition, preventive maintenance, and evaluation of the equipment’s aging, thus significantly improving the engineering processes of transformers.
With the aid of digital twin, the overall time and efforts required for maintenance and operations for field equipment is greatly reduced.
Breathers for Improving Life- Expectancy
Moisture in the transformers causes early aging. Early aging adds to the maintenance and cost capital. To overcome the issue of moisture in the transformers, Qualitrol’s newest Smart Transformer Breather removes moisture from the air entering oil-filled transformers and load tap changer conservators.
The breather contains silica gel crystals which have a tremendous capacity of absorbing moisture. As air passes through these crystals in the breather, the moisture in the air is absorbed by the silica gel crystals. The smart breather is a maintenance-free dehydrating breather, automated to regenerate the silica gel desiccant at a user-selectable time, relative humidity (RH), or PPM thresholds.
The life expectancy of a transformer can be greatly improved by adding a smart breather.
A Digital Platform to Connect all the Substation Assets
No remote monitoring and predictive maintenance for the conventional substation assets.
Siemens’ new digital switchgear portfolio introduces Sensformer and Sensgear technology, which interconnects all the substation equipment and digitally connected transformers, thus allowing operators to remotely monitor the status in real-time through online applications.
All devices are connected through a smart and robust Internet of Things (IoT) gateway that securely transmits the required information to a cloud-based storage and visualization platform.
With Sensformer and Sensgear technology, every operator will have access to a cloud-based platform application that visualizes the collected data and enables a comprehensive overview of all assets and the power grid’s status in real-time.
Outcomes: These technologies help in remote monitoring and predictive maintenance of the transformers and make them adaptable with the latest digital smart grids.
Latest Patent Technologies in Transformers
Existing conventional technologies in transformers will become obsolete with Smart grids coming into existence.
Sanbian Technology has filed four patents pertaining to various fields of transformers.
The new patents include “a barrel-type transformer tank lifting screw device”, “a transformer body positioning device with adjustable positioning deviation”, a “moisture-proof transformer lower fuel tank body positioning device”, as well as a “moisture-proof transformer”.
Outcomes: These technologies help in remote monitoring and predictive maintenance of the transformers and make them adaptable with the latest digital smart girds.
Each year Signicent provides consultancy to hundreds of organizations to help transform their innovations to value.
Competitive Analysis
This section of the transformers report sheds light on top competitors in terms of Patent Portfolio are Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, Crompton Greaves, Howard Industries, Alstom, SPX Transformer Solutions.
Transformative Companies (Start-ups)
The transformers report herein discusses the start-ups that are aggressively working in improving the transformers’ usage.
Vollspark, founded in 2016, has a product portfolio that transforms conventional, passive, distribution transformers into real-time remotely controlled smart devices, which contribute to grid stability and resilience. Vollspark solid-state transformers (SST) technology enhances existing infrastructure to provide flexibility and fast dynamic response and will be a major contributor to the stability of the future power grid.
Founded in 2011, Enging based in Portuguese specializes in advanced and disruptive industrial Predictive Maintenance and Fault Detection solutions for Transformers, Rotating Machines, and Power Electronics. Exclusively using electric variables, Enging develops disruptive, non-invasive, and real-time monitoring solutions, that allow accurate online fault detection through a user-friendly web platform, ePreditMntc.
Pioneer Transformers Acquires Power Partners
Pioneer Transformers is a leading engineer and manufacturer of a broad range of specialty liquid-filled and dry-type power transformers for niche applications in industrial, OEM commercial, and backup power markets.
Power Partners, based in Athens, Georgia was founded in 1958. The company manufactures a range of high-quality custom, semi-custom, and standard transformer products for an investor-owned utility, public power, industrial and commercial OEMs, and international customers. Products include single-phase and three-phase pole-mount transformers, large-format pole-mount transformers, and single-phase pad-mount transformers.
Pioneer Transformers L.P. has acquired Power Partners, LLC. This acquisition diversifies Pioneer’s customer base and adds a natural extension to Pioneer’s existing product suite.
Northern Transformer acquires VRT Power’s products
Northern Transformer Corporation was founded in Concord, Ontario in 1981, and is a North American manufacturer of liquid-filled transformers. Northern Transformer designs and manufactures liquid-filled Mobile Substations, Power Transformers, Grounding Transformers, and Specialty Transformers ranging from 5MVA to 200MVA with a maximum primary voltage of 240kV.
VRT Power Ltd., based in Israel, was founded in 1941. The company is a leading global manufacturer and distributor of electrical infrastructure equipment, principally transformers, for the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity
Northern Transformer Corporation, completed the acquisition of the North American brand, products, and designs of VRT Power Ltd. of Tel Aviv, Israel.
Global Transformer Market
In this section of the transformers report the Market growth is discussed which states that it is expanding at a CAGR of 7.0% over the forecast period
Global Transformer Market revenue is expected to expand at a CAGR of 7.0% from US$ 53.29 Bn in 2020 to reach a value of US$ 74.74 Bn by 2025 over the forecast period.
- By Core, the market is segmented into Closed, Shell, and Berry.
- By Product, the market is segmented into Distribution Transformer, Power Transformer, and Instrument Transformer. By Winding, the market is segmented into Two Winding and Auto-Transformer.
- By Application, the market is segmented into Residential & Commercial, Utility, and Industrial.
- By Geography, the market is segmented into North America, APAC, Europe, and RoW.
Asia-Pacific and North America regions are dominating the Global Transformer Market due to growth in Industrialization and Centralization.
Asia-Pacific and Middle-East Africa regions are anticipated to exhibit higher growth rates over the forecast period due to the rise in the growth of microgrid and power generation & transmission Technologies.
The transformer market is dominated by major companies such as ABB Group, Siemens AG, GE Corporation, Glen Magnetics Inc., Bruce Electric Equipment Corp., among others.
APAC is emerging as an important region for growth
APAC
The Asia Pacific Market is holding one of the largest shares in the market and is also expected to grow at the highest rate during the forecast period, owing to the rising renewable integration across the grid infrastructure. Increasing infrastructural spending toward the development of long-distance electricity networks will augment the growth over the forecast period. Populated countries like China and India are expected to drive the market.
North America
North America accounts for one of the largest shares of the market. The largest share of this region is due to the factors such as the modernization of power generation and transmission industries. Also, the increased transmission and distribution networks, ongoing surge in adoption of high-power infrastructure are some key factors driving the growth.
Europe
The European market is growing due to favorable regulations and adequate infrastructure. The market is the third-largest market after APAC and North America. The U.K. market is one of the largest markets in the European region. Germany to grow steadily during the forecast period.
RoW
The investments made in transmission and distribution systems towards the use of new technologies are driving the growth of the market in Latin America and the Middle East & Africa regions.