Especially in the case of generator-step-up transformers, that are key to transmit the generated energy into the grid, the outage of such a unit not only has tremendous impacts with regard to power delivery, but also with regard to the financial situation of a power generating plant. While the mobile resilience transformer concept is the state-of-the-art solution in the area of substations, the resilience GSUs become utterly important to power plants as well.
Ease of transportation is one of the most important criteria when it comes to transformer replacements: only if a transformer is lightweight and compact enough, it can be deployed smoothly without long waiting times for transportation approvals. Therefore, the resilience GSUs are designed as single-phase units with a transport weight of just 49.8 tons (109,790 lbs) each, making them highly lightweight by using high temperature insulation material like Nomex®. Its plug-and-play design reduces the installation time significantly: this 150 MVA bank of transformers can be installed in approximately 24 working hours, reducing the installation times from already optimized seven working days to a single day. Another benefit of the solution: Mobile resilience units, like the ones for Southern Power are also versatile regarding their voltage. The transformer can operate in multiple configurations, either at 230 kV or 115 kV and a low voltage of 34.5 kV. This means the operator can make use of the units in different Southern Power locations and can use cables to connect the generator to the transformers, without having to store different spare units for each and every single power plant location.
