Power transformer sustainability

All players in the high voltage industry want to demonstrate their commitment to sustainable future, energy transition and decarbonization of the grid. They want to assure the reliability of their suppliers. A standard approach towards sustainable power transformers helps standardize green transition, and creates trust and confidence among stakeholders.

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Challenge

Power grids and high voltage (HV) equipment are important infrastructures for economic growth and development, and play a vital role in enabling a flexible green energy market. However, the transition to a green future requires not only energy sources but also the energy infrastructure itself to become more environmentally friendly. The sustainability and carbon intensity of materials used in power grid equipment, especially large power transformers, as well as their performance play a pivotal role in the ongoing development of the energy sector in an environmentally friendly way. Some parties within the industry have started assessing and quantifying their carbon footprint. However, despite the advanced development in HV technology, the evaluation, boundaries, and methodology of product sustainability within the industry are not yet standardized.

Objective

The joint industry project (JIP) aims to increase the confidence of external stakeholders in assessing CO₂ reduction in power grids. By bringing together grid owners, suppliers and specialists, this project is committed to ensuring that power grid projects are executed with sustainable and responsible operations in mind. With active collaboration and involvement of all parties, we believe we can make significant progress towards a more sustainable future. Given the importance of this topic, this joint industry project will address the issues below in the form of a DNV Recommended Practice.

1. Standardized boundaries and KPI’s related to power transformers
2. A recommended LCA methodology and standard basis and parameters for material passport and EPD reports
3. An assessment methodology and category impact parameters for all end-user segments based on their criteria.

Approach

The JIP will initially scope out already established initiatives, standards and methodologies used to calculate and reduce both emissions and climate change impacts for power transformers. After studying these methodologies, and practices and evaluating their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, a recommended practice (RP) will be developed and published. The RP will be endorsed by a broad and representative group of organizations (i.e., the PARTIES, such as manufacturers, TSOs and sub suppliers) to ensure that the RP reflects and defines concerns about the sustainability of power transformers.

The RP tries to provide the basis for more effective communication and consultation with and between power transformer stakeholders on sustainability parameters, terminology, data quality, and life cycle assessment.

The LCA aspects in the JIP will focus on cradle-to-grave impact assessment of power transformers. Influential aspects (e.g., recyclability, load factors, carbon-intensity of the network, etc.) will be included. The JIP will investigate the end-of-life process to bring the industry closer to a holistic cradle-to-cradle approach and prepare circularity in the HV industry.

Project status 

The JIP proposal has been distributed to the industry and many partners are in the contract phase. The project is still open to participants.

The partners

Siemens Energy (co-initiator), Hitachi Energy, SGB Smit group, Thyssenkrupp, TenneT TSO, Elia Group, TransnetBW TSO, Nynas, Cargil, M&I Materials.