A Big Upgrade for Reliable Power: Deer Park Substation Transformer Replacement

If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to keep electricity flowing reliably throughout Clallam County, sometimes the answer is as big as a house and weighs as much as 40 midsize cars. Earlier this year, Clallam PUD received a new power transformer for the Deer Park Substation, a major investment in the future of our electric system. The new transformer replaces an existing unit that has served customers since 1988. The upgrade increases the substation’s capacity from 20 MVA to 33 MVA, a 65% increase that will help meet future energy needs while improving system reliability for years to come. Many of our substations were last rebuilt during the 1980s and 1990s. As equipment approaches the end of its expected service life, we’re taking proactive steps to modernize our facilities and ensure they continue serving customers well into the future. The new transformer represents a significant investment of approximately $1.8 million. Due to specialized manufacturing requirements, the transformer took nearly two years from order to delivery, including about 18 months of production time.

Replacing a transformer of this size is no small task. The existing transformer weighs approximately 70,000 pounds—about the same as 20 midsize cars. Its replacement weighs nearly 140,000 pounds, or roughly the weight of 40 midsize cars. To safely complete the exchange, the PUD contracted with specialized crane and transportation crews. A 160-ton crane and heavy-haul transport equipment were used to move both transformers between the substation and the Operations Center during a two-day operation.

While the transformer being replaced is nearing the end of its expected service life, it still has useful years remaining. Rather than retiring the unit, the PUD will keep it as an emergency spare to help support system reliability if needed in the future. The transformer replacement is also part of a larger effort to refresh aging equipment throughout the Deer Park Substation. By replacing other 40-year-old components at the same time, the PUD is essentially giving the facility a fresh start.

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