Hotline of power engineering specialists:
Specialists of IDGC of Centre have installed a 10/0.4 kV 100 kVA experimental transformer of the most energy efficient class in the distribution networks in the village of Ustinka in Belgorod district. This power equipment is a prototype and has Swedish and Eurasian patents. The innovative transformer was installed for specialists of IDGC of Centre to perform tests and evaluation the manufacturer’s specifications, which must conform to the highest class A. The activity is carried out in the framework of the innovative development of the Belgorod branch of the company.
Test results will be to assess the level of no-load losses and load losses of the new transformer, the payback period within the period of its operation, as well as to conclude the feasibility of this technology before transformers of classes B, C and D of well-known manufacturers.
«The interest in this technology is due to unique design features of the transformer,» explained the head of the energy conservation and efficiency office of Belgorodenergo Natalia Yakshina. «Reducing utility energy consumption of transformers is not a new problem, its solution has long puzzled scientists and manufacturers worldwide. In most cases, reduction of load losses of the core material is achieved through the so-called amorphous steel. However, the production of amorphous steel requires significant cost and energy. Therefore, the use of such transformers is not yet justified in terms of economic efficiency. The transformer, which we are testing in the village of Ustinka, consists of traditional materials and has reduced power consumption thanks to its unique design. This fact suggests that the cost of mass production will be lower than for transformers with the core of amorphous steel while the same technical characteristics.»
The technology developer announced the sale of a non-exclusive license for the mass production of innovative transformers, and some of the world’s leading manufacturers have already purchased the rights to produce it, but in the Russian Federation and the former Soviet Union such equipment is not yet manufactured.
Test results should be not only a confirmation of the technical and operational characteristics of the prototype, but also an incentive for domestic producers to develop their own production and increase efficiency of Russian equipment.
For reference:
Energy efficiency class for transformers is approved by the European standard EN 50464-1:2007, which is recommended for use on the territory of the Russian Federation. There are 6 energy efficiency classes — A, B, C, D, E, F — from highest to lowest. The higher the class and more constructive design of the transformer, the lower losses and higher efficiency for the company. Therefore, while designing power facilities IDGC of Centre’s power engineers have requirements not only for reliability, but also to the energy efficiency class of the power equipment.