Posted on 03/10/2014 9:10:50 AM PDT by null and void
Transformers are the most vulnerable components in the power grid and they are under attack.
The main components in our power grid distribution system are transformers. They step up the generated voltage to a higher level for more efficient transport over very long lines. Then they step the voltage back down in several stages for final consumption. These transformers are located at the power plants and thousands of substations. They are big and right out in the open. Weather does not bother them, but bullets do. They are the weak links in our power grid.
Last year someone decided to shoot out the transformers at PG&E’s Metcalf substation in Silicon Valley taking the substation out of service. Luckily, PG&E was able to reroute the power to prevent a total blackout. But it took months to get replacement transformers and restore service.
This is a major wake up call to the utilities. Terrorists, or disgruntled customers, can easily take down a substation with a rifle at long range and get away with it. The transformers are defenseless as they are not covered or protected in any way. Furthermore, replacement transformers are hard to come by.
Power transformers are not an off-the-shelf item. Most are custom made to match the utility’s system. Each transformer is unique so requires special manufacturing efforts. It takes months to make small transformers and as many as two years for the big transformers. And they cost a fortune with small ones going for up to $1 million and as much as $10 million for the big ones. In addition, transportation is an issue. How do you ship a monster transformer weighing a couple hundred thousand pounds? So while replacements are possible, it takes a significant amount of time. This could cause a black out for months or longer.
On top of all that, there are only about seven transformer manufacturers in the U.S. And most of these are not typically that busy. Even so it would be a major problem to get fast service from a U.S. company for custom products. Not that many of them make the really big high voltage transformers. However, there are other transformer companies worldwide but service would no doubt be slow, and let’s not mention shipping costs.
Something needs to be done about this, fast. You know how you feel during even a short few hour blackout. It is miserable. Think of all the businesses, hospitals, and government services that depend upon power. It is a scary thought to think we could go without power for months. No doubt the utilities are already taking that California event as a wakeup call. I have not heard what they are doing about it. And just what can be done anyway? Special housings? Bullet proof shielding? Kevlar vests? Utilities could keep a spare or two of the smaller cheaper transformers, but it would be too costly to stock a spare of the larger ones.
Most substations are not that secure. They usually have a chain link fence and maybe even video surveillance but neither of these help when your enemy is a sniper a hundred yards away. Even armed guards are no help. It would not take much of a complex or expensive effort to really disrupt electrical service nationwide. Just ask hurricane and icy winter survivors how bad it is without power for a long time. So what is the solution?
Since the terrorists now know of this cheap and easy way to hurt us, we had better develop some protection. In the meantime, it wouldn’t hurt to get yourself a good generator for back up.
Several ways to destroy a transformer, you don’t have to spend too much time thinking about how.
I used to ride bicycles around that substation.
Good point.
A 338 Lapua could take out much of Silicon Valley’s power grid.
Its not that strong on a good day.
Author Lou Frenzel. Any relation to the inventor of the Frenzel lens?
Are you referring to the Fresnel lens?
Novice question for the experts.
Everybody talks about how long and painful it would be to procure new transformers.
How difficult is it to repair/reman the ones shot up?
I remember someone shooting transformers around where we lived back in the 60s. I don’t think they ever found the culprit but some guessed it was a fired supervisor.
Oh, wrong guy on my part.
Metcalf substation, of particular Silicon Valley interest?
I saw it once in Casa Grande, AZ (not the one in the pic, but it looked just like that with the multiple axles, etc.)
This won’t be any big deal once they start printing them with 3D printers.
Depends entirely on the damage. In the attack in question, the cooling systems were damaged.
How difficult is it to repair an engine where the radiator was run dry?
Simple if you shut it down before it overheats, not so simple if the piston rings have welded to the cylinders.
Lightning sure took out the one on a power pole near us a few years back.
LOL
I notice the transformers used in wall warts (and even my PA amplifier) are not the big heavy wound things of the past. I believe they are digital.
Is it possible to use this technology for even the large transformers, making them both cheap and small (and easier to harden against attack), not to mention easy to replace?
Thanks. Seems like some (relatively cheap) temp sensor and feedback systems need to be installed? Surprised capital equip this expensive doesn’t already have. Low cost insurance.
VERY!!!
(BSEE ‘79. In the power bidness)
Yeah, I saw them popping all over the place in California just before 3 a.m. as I was driving on 405 during a large earthquake aftershock. Spectacular purple light.
Then, about two months ago, while all our neighbors were hunkered down in tornado shelters by our home in central KY, we were trying to drive in the scion xBox and watching chunks of buildings fly by us (and the wind started pushing us off the road). I told my wife that even if it was night we’d know the tornado was getting close as we saw transformers blow.
And then the one about 100 feet from us blew in a spectacular ball of pyrotechnics. I crammed it in reverse.
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