Department of Energy Seeks Feedback on Transformers Through RFI

by Paul Ciampoli
APPA News Director
April 11, 2023

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Electricity recently announced a request for information seeking feedback from transformer manufacturers, utilities, academia, research laboratories, government agencies, and other applicable stakeholders regarding distribution and power transformers.

DOE said it is looking “to obtain public input regarding a potential future funding opportunity announcement seeking the research, development, and demonstration of innovative advanced transformers that can be readily utilized across a range of distribution to transmission scale applications.”

DOE is inviting stakeholders to provide feedback on these categories:

• Priority Transformer Research Questions: the highest priority distribution and power transformer research questions most relevant to a successful U.S. transformer industry. 
• Transformer Technology Development: distribution and power transformer technology gaps.
• Transformer Supply Chain Constraints: developing a domestic supply chain to support competitive, efficient, high-quality, and cost-effective U.S. transformer manufacturing. 
• Market Adoption and Industry/Sector Sustainability: reliable supply and demand, factors for product adoption, and opportunities to build a sustainable U.S. market. 

Submit responses to the RFI (DE-FOA-0003021) to RFI-3021@NETL.DOE.GOV no later than 5:00 pm on May 5, 2023.

Click here for the RFI.

DOE Urged to Withdraw Proposed Conservation Standards Rule for Distribution Transformers

More than 60 House members on April 3 urged Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm to withdraw the Department of Energy’s proposed rule to increase conservation standards for distribution transformers.

In December, DOE announced it was proposing new energy efficiency standards for distribution transformers.

Since 2021, electric utilities have been communicating their troubles with procurement of distribution transformers to DOE, the letter noted.

“The lead time for procurement of a distribution transformer can take 16 months or longer. This lead time is a significant problem for electric utilities seeking to bolster the reliability and resilience of the grid and other critical infrastructure, particularly against severe storms and other hazardous weather events,” the House members said in the letter.