Collaborative approaches to grid congestion

The importance of power transformers

Power transformers are electrical installations that increase or decrease the voltage of electricity in power distribution networks. They play a crucial role in efficiently transporting electricity over long distances by boosting the voltage for transmission and then reducing it for safe use in homes and businesses.  

Circular approach

Guy de Sévaux, Team Lead for Biobased & Circular Economy at Invest-NL, explains: "We have initiated a project with Alliander and other grid operators to enhance the circularity of the networks. We are currently examining whether we need to replace the transformers or if we can upgrade them through refurbishment. It's like giving a car a turbo boost to increase capacity." 

By renewing existing transformers and increasing their capacity, costly and time-consuming replacement can be avoided. This not only saves money but also raw materials, time, and manpower.

Customisation as a solution 

The project investigates whether transformers can be upgraded instead of replaced. By adding some modifications, mainly aimed at improving temperature regulation, the load capacity can be increased.  

Rory Leich, Sustainable Energy Perspective Consultant at Alliander, explains: "The idea we have is to increase the load capacity by adding some modifications to the transformers. Essentially, to lower the entire temperature regulation so that we can increase the load capacity. This approach will significantly enhance the transformers' capacity. I estimate that you can extract about 30 to 50% more power from a power transformer by looking at a bit more customisation and adding some modifications." 

Material reduction and sustainability

Not only does this approach save money and raw materials, but it also extends the lifespan of existing components and makes it possible to repair and expand the grid more quickly.

Koen Eising, CSR Director at Alliander, emphasises: "Not only in the Netherlands do we need to double the grid. But all around the world, this is happening. We are actually seeing an exponential increase after 2030. You need to start preparing for this now. And the interesting thing about circular entrepreneurship, where you handle your raw materials carefully, is also that we can more easily revise certain components. We are heavily involved in revisions. This allows us to keep existing components in operation longer. And it has an immediate effect: we can repair the grid faster, expand it more quickly, and misjudge less when it comes to scarce components." 

Unique collaboration 

The success of this project is largely due to cooperation between various parties. Guy de Sévaux sums it up based on the session in Duiven: "Today, all suppliers and grid operators sat together to decide to give these existing transformers a new life. And thus help to alleviate grid congestion in the Netherlands." 

In addition to Invest-NL and Alliander, Enexis, Gasunie, and Fedet are also involved in this project, working together towards a sustainable and future-proof energy supply in the Netherlands.