Transformers and power electronics: Relationships

Every element and industry that Transformers and power electronics is linked to, and how. Each pair has its own card explaining the relationships between the two.

AC transmission: Every AC line begins and ends at a transformer, so transformer supply now limits how fast grids can grow: prices rose about 75% since 2019 and large units take up to four years, and India missed its 2025-26 substation target by about 10%. (researched)
Data centres: Every data centre sits behind a chain of transformers, switchgear, uninterruptible power supplies and converters, so its build-out competes with utilities for the same scarce equipment. US power transformer supply fell about 30% short of demand in 2025, with lead times of up to four years, and AI racks are now pushing a shift to 800 V DC power distribution. (researched)
Steel: Most transformer cores are built from grain-oriented electrical steel (CRGO or GOES), a speciality grade made by few mills that is about a fifth of a transformer's cost. India imports most of what it uses, so CRGO supply and trade rules directly affect how fast it can expand its grid. (researched)
Copper: Large power transformers are wound with copper, and since 2019 a surge in grid and generation demand has pushed US power transformer prices up about 77% and lead times past two years, with copper and electrical steel among the supply constraints. (researched)
Semiconductors: Power chips, silicon IGBTs and MOSFETs and newer silicon carbide devices, are the switches inside every inverter, drive and charger, so the power electronics build-out for EVs, solar and data centres is a demand driver for a distinct part of the chip industry; in return, chip fabs depend on precision power supplies to run their tools. (researched)
Distribution grids, mini-grids and interconnectors: Energy flows from distribution grids, mini-grids and interconnectors to transformers and power electronics; energy flows from transformers and power electronics to distribution grids, mini-grids and interconnectors; their prices have moved together.
Capacitors and supercapacitors: Energy flows from capacitors and supercapacitors to transformers and power electronics; energy flows from transformers and power electronics to capacitors and supercapacitors.
Electric motors and drives: Energy flows from transformers and power electronics to electric motors and drives; their prices have moved together.
Electrical loss reduction: Energy flows from transformers and power electronics to electrical loss reduction; energy flows from electrical loss reduction to transformers and power electronics.
Generators and alternators: Energy flows from generators and alternators to transformers and power electronics; their prices have moved together.
HVDC links: Energy flows from HVDC links to transformers and power electronics; their prices have moved together.
Lithium iron phosphate batteries: Energy flows from lithium iron phosphate batteries to transformers and power electronics; energy flows from transformers and power electronics to lithium iron phosphate batteries.
Other and primary batteries: Energy flows from other and primary batteries to transformers and power electronics; energy flows from transformers and power electronics to other and primary batteries.
Sodium-ion batteries: Energy flows from sodium-ion batteries to transformers and power electronics; energy flows from transformers and power electronics to sodium-ion batteries.
Superconducting magnetic storage: Energy flows from superconducting magnetic storage to transformers and power electronics; energy flows from transformers and power electronics to superconducting magnetic storage.
Aluminium: Their prices have moved together.
Data centres and cloud: Data centres and cloud depends on transformers and power electronics.
Electric and hybrid vehicles: Energy flows from transformers and power electronics to electric and hybrid vehicles.
Electrical equipment: Electrical equipment depends on transformers and power electronics.
Electrolysers: Energy flows from transformers and power electronics to electrolysers.
Energy in buildings: Energy flows from transformers and power electronics to energy in buildings.
Flow batteries: Energy flows from flow batteries to transformers and power electronics.
Flywheels and small mechanical stores: Energy flows from flywheels and small mechanical stores to transformers and power electronics.
Gallium: Transformers and power electronics needs gallium.
High-temperature batteries: Energy flows from high-temperature batteries to transformers and power electronics.
Lead-acid batteries: Energy flows from transformers and power electronics to lead-acid batteries.
Lighting and displays: Their prices have moved together.
Machinery and equipment: Machinery and equipment depends on transformers and power electronics.
Metal-air batteries: Energy flows from metal-air batteries to transformers and power electronics.
Next-generation lithium batteries: Energy flows from transformers and power electronics to next-generation lithium batteries.
Nickel-based batteries: Energy flows from transformers and power electronics to nickel-based batteries.
Nickel-rich lithium-ion batteries: Energy flows from transformers and power electronics to nickel-rich lithium-ion batteries.
Offshore wind: Energy flows from offshore wind to transformers and power electronics.
Onshore wind: Energy flows from onshore wind to transformers and power electronics.
Rail traction: Their prices have moved together.
Silicon: Transformers and power electronics needs silicon.
Solar photovoltaics: Energy flows from solar photovoltaics to transformers and power electronics.
Telecommunications: Telecommunications depends on transformers and power electronics.
Tin: Their prices have moved together.
Underground, submarine and superconducting cables: Their prices have moved together.
Water and sanitation: Water and sanitation depends on transformers and power electronics.