Lead Performer: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory – Richland, WA
September 13, 2017
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Lead Performer: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory – Richland, WA
Partners:
-- Savannah River National Laboratory – Jackson, SC
-- Oak Ridge National Laboratory – Oak Ridge, TN
-- Santee Cooper – Santee, SC
-- Clemson University – Clemson, SC
DOE Total Funding: $695,000
Project Term: August 2016 – September 30, 2017
Funding Opportunity: DOE Grid Modernization Laboratory Consortium (GMLC) Lab Call
Project Objective
As a part of the Department of Energy’s Grid Modernization Initiative, the Grid Modernization Laboratory Consortium projects represent a comprehensive portfolio of critical research and development in advanced storage systems, clean energy integration, standards and test procedures, and a number of other key grid modernization areas.
Distribution transformer (DT) losses account for 2–3% of U.S. generated electricity, and DT no-load losses represent approximately 25% of all DT losses. This project aims to reduce DT no-load losses by evaluating the most advanced commercially available transformer technologies and materials, as well as to reduce DT load losses by designing and developing dynamic transformer controllers to more effectively manage efficiency and lifetime performance. The project works with manufacturers and utilities to define the performance characteristics of emergent “smart” transformers, which have the communication and control logic necessary to reduce losses, increase efficiency, and improve service life, resiliency, and recoverability.
Project Impact
The adoption of more efficient DTs could reduce no-load losses by 60%. Dynamic control and coordination of transformers and building loads could reduce load losses by 10%.
Contacts
DOE Technology Manager: Joe Hagerman
Principal Investigator: Don Hammerstrom, PNNL