Researchers Test Power Transformer Seismic Resilience

Engineers at UC San Diego tested a full-scale transformer to evaluate how it holds up during earthquake conditions.

Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Energy

A large industrial power transformer sits secured on a reinforced concrete shake table at a research facility under bright daylight. — Researchers at UC San Diego tested a 230-kilovolt power transformer in October 2026 to evaluate seismic resilience and improve electrical grid infrastructure standards. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should government and industry prioritize funding for seismic resilience testing of critical electrical grid infrastructure?

In October 2026, researchers from Idaho National Laboratory subjected a 230-kilovolt power transformer to seismic testing at the University of California, San Diego. The project focused on evaluating base isolation technology and decoupler systems designed to protect critical infrastructure.

Why it matters

The study addresses significant knowledge gaps regarding transformer failure points during earthquakes. These findings aim to support the development of updated seismic design standards to prevent long-term power grid disruptions.

The test utilized a 224 MVA 230 / 69 kV unit on a six-degree-of-freedom shake table. Replacing a major transformer damaged in a disaster can take up to five years, highlighting the need for these structural reinforcements.

The players

Idaho National Laboratory

This is a U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory focused on nuclear energy research, renewable energy, and critical infrastructure protection.

University of California, San Diego

This public research university hosts the Large High-Performance Outdoor Shake Table, which is used for full-scale earthquake engineering experiments.

Siemens Energy

This is a global energy technology company that manufactures a wide range of power generation and transmission equipment.

U.S. Department of Energy

This federal agency is responsible for the development and regulation of energy policy and nuclear safety programs.

The details

The team examined how bushings behave under seismic stress by using a 20 meganewton capacity outdoor shake table. By comparing the hardware performance against existing predictive models, researchers are working to refine future engineering assumptions.

The seismic testing was conducted in October 2026.

The Big Picture

This project follows the standards established by the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response. It aligns with the agency mission to harden energy infrastructure against both physical and natural threats.

Improving transformer durability could drastically reduce the duration of post-earthquake power outages for residential and commercial users. Future designs may incorporate these tested technologies to keep the electrical grid functional during major seismic events.

The takeaway

Reliable power grid infrastructure is critical for recovery after a large-scale disaster. Industry professionals should monitor upcoming publications from the Department of Energy to incorporate these new seismic design standards into future projects.