“Greening” the transformers value chain: key success factors and recent advancements on environmentally optimized transformer designs with “greener” materials

Transformers are durable and energy-efficient but also material-intensive. Over the coming decades, the demand for transformers and their key materials is expected to grow exponentially due to economic development, increasing electrification, and the material-intensive energy transition. This higher material use amplifies the environmental and carbon impacts from the energy- and resource-intensive extraction and processing of these materials. As the electricity system decarbonizes, the materials manufacturing stage’s contribution to the total life-cycle environmental and carbon performance of transformers is increasing. In this paper, we discuss the contribution of different materials to the total life-cycle environmental impacts of transformers. We introduce the concept of “greener” materials and simulate the impact of commercially available “greener” alternatives on reducing transformers' carbon footprint. Based on discussions with suppliers and end-users, we have identified major challenges hindering the broader and faster deployment of lower-carbon materials in transformers. The paper emphasizes the shared responsibility of major stakeholders in driving this transformation and concludes with a call to action to address these challenges, strengthening the business case for decarbonizing the materials supply chain and meeting the climate and sustainability commitments of end-users, OEMs, and suppliers.