New York’s first mobile emergency transformer: rapid response to blackouts

The challenge

Consolidated Edison, New York’s major energy supplier, was facing the challenge of developing a solution that could quickly restore power to millions of residents should a power transformer failure occur. Growing demand was due to the age of the existing infrastructure and extreme weather events.

The solution

PFISTERER supplied the plug-in, touch-safe connection system, which enables the quick and flexible installation of mobile, single-phase emergency transformers. These can be combined on site to form a fully-fledged three-phase transformer. Thanks to a variety of connections (345 kV, 138 kV and 69 kV), the emergency transformer can replace any existing power transformer in Consolidated Edison’s supply area without having to keep a separate reserve unit for each rated voltage.

Products used

CONNEX plug-in cable connection system up to 345 kV
Plug-in cast resin sockets
MV and HV cables pre-assembled with connectors

Special features

Thanks to the CONNEX system, it took just 36 hours to connect the first mobile emergency transformer to the grid. The transformers can be installed up to 75 % faster thanks to the plug-in system. Furthermore, extension cables with CONNEX sleeves allow the transformers to be positioned flexibly, even over distances of more than 100 meters. Consolidated Edison can therefore react quickly to failures and at the same time reduce storage costs thanks to versatile transformers.