Reducing Waste and Establishing Local Partnerships with Northeast Transformer Services
Northeast Transformer Services (NETS) is a long- time vendor of National Grid. Recently, National Grid signed a long- term contract with them to cement circularity in our distribution transformer supply chain.
Through NETS, we are able to refurbish our transformers that have reached end- of- life. This prevents these transformers from being disposed of and minimises the volume of new ones being manufactured in their place.
Normally, when units fail or reach end of life, they would be sent for component recycling. Now, however, when a unit fails, most are sent to NETS. NETS refurbishes the transformer back to like- new quality per IEEE C57 standard requirements, allowing it to be placed back in service. When a transformer can't be remanufactured, they recycle the components or use the parts in other refurbishments. And NETS is based in upstate New York- contributing to our efforts to support local businesses when possible.
In addition to reducing waste, NETS' work reduces the number of new units we are required to purchase, lowering costs. NETS estimates that they are able to refurbish transformers for about half the price of purchasing a new unit. National Grid's efforts with this program provide around $4 million in annual cost savings, helping to keep ratepayer costs down.
Since National Grid started working with NETS in 2005, we have remanufactured over 69,000 transformers. This means that through our partnership, 1.7 million gallons of mineral oil, 41 million pounds of metals, and 5.9 million pounds of other materials have been recovered and reused.
Jeff Kramarz, Senior Supervisor of National Grid Investment Recovery, said:
Investment Recovery manages the three transformer shops across the NY region. These three shops receive all end- of- life distribution equipment, which are segregated and sent for recycling or to NETS for refurbishment. This circular process (with NETS) generates roughly $4 million per fiscal year through cost avoidance. We value this long standing relationship with NETS and look forward to continuing to partner with the company.
Patrick Kozer, Vice President of Northeast Transformer Services, said:
Our remanufacture fully restores the useful lifetime of the transformer, with an expectation for another 30 years of service at 50% cost, with a better warranty, all while eliminating a waste stream. The units we're taking from National Grid date back to 1980- so we're taking 45 year old equipment, updating it to today's standards and technology, and providing another 30+ years of lifetime.
To learn more about NETS' process for refurbishing transformers, check out their website here.
