ESB has engaged Winder Power, a leading manufacturer of power and distribution transformers, to complete the refurbishment of three 5MVA transformers, supporting its efforts to make responsible use of resources and demonstrate environmental sustainability, by refurbishing the units instead of replacing them. As a leading Irish utility with an asset base of approximately €9 billion, and 43 per cent of electricity generation capacity in the all-island Irish market, ESB requires significant amounts of reliable power to provide for its 1.5 million customers every day, and this is where Winder Power steps in. [caption id="attachment_32592" align="alignright" width="300"] ESB transformer before[/caption] Regulators and end users like ESB have become less willing to allow network assets, including transformers, to be replaced simply on the basis of age; preferring to consider other factors such as asset health. Winder Power has found that there are better techniques that can be used to determine with more accuracy the real condition of transformers, which can confirm when there is remaining life in the asset, and in many cases, the life of a transformer can be extended for up to 15 more years, meaning that both money and time can be saved. Using the services of a local heavy haulage company to dismantle and transport the transformers to Leeds, Winder Power undertook significant refurbishment works on the ESB transformers, which involved disassembling them, inspecting all elements, supplying and fitting new components, and assembling them from scratch, before shipping them back to Ireland. [caption id="attachment_32593" align="alignright" width="225"] ESB transformer after[/caption] Winder Power specialises in the design, build, deployment and management of distribution transformers and power transformers up to 60MVA. Although this is the first significant contract between Winder Power and ESB, the company has a proud history of serving a wide range of loyal customers in the utilities, renewable energy, and industrial sectors across Ireland, the UK and internationally. “Extending the life of assets is good for customers because it results in lower levels of capital investment and hence lower bills. In addition to the regulatory pressures, the electricity industry generally is being encouraged to make responsible use of resources and to demonstrate environmental sustainability as part of its corporate responsibility. And one way of achieving this, is to prolong the life of transformers,” said Winder Power’s technical director Elizabeth MacKenzie.