Transformer stockpiles and power grids come under threat

Just to give more context, transformers can be enormous (as high as a 3 storey building, weighing hundreds of tons when loaded with all their necessary oil) and as such, their shipping is an endeavor in itself.<p>The TSO I work at has started to switch to in-place building, where all the components are shipped to the final destination and the transformer is assembled directly in the substation.<p>Also, lead times are apparently really long since everything is custom made.

I&#x27;ve seen scattered comments that Russia has not yet targetted the highest-voltage transformers in Ukraine, for which stockpiling spares (as reported here) might not apply.

A shift to container sized truck-transportable transformers, such as this[1] that can be ganged in parallel to achieve any desired load could help allow the economies of scale on the production side make up for the slightly less efficient but more robust transformers that would result.<p>[1] <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.gegridsolutions.com&#x2F;hvmv_equipment&#x2F;files&#x2F;grid-acs-l2-mobile_substations-0311-2016_03-en.pdf" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.gegridsolutions.com&#x2F;hvmv_equipment&#x2F;files&#x2F;grid-ac...</a>

Some of the international power links are HV DC now; is there any opportunity to do the same inside large countries to avoid some of the largest transformers?

Does the U.S. consider it to be a provocation too far to equip Ukraine with weapons systems that can strike these Russian missile batteries in Russia? It is ridiculous that we are tacitly tolerating this war by Russia but apparently we are afraid they will nuke us or someone.