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Transformers Magazine Vol. 6 Issue 3
Dear Readers, Half a year ago, in the editorial message of the magazine's Vol. 6, Issue 1, I mentioned a discussion on the Eco-Design Regulation, held at a conference, and how that discussion catalysed some unanswered questions about the Regulation, such as the effectiveness of the total cost of ownership (TCO) which was taken as a measure for transformer specifications in the Regulation. Two key… 
What are the main new opportunities and challenges emerging in the transformers market, anything new that customers are looking for? The global energy demand is expected to grow significantly in the coming decades with electricity being a major contributor. At the base are about 950 million people in the world that still lack access to electricity, mainly in Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. Providing access to… 
Global investment and the future market for T&D equipment Global investment in T&D infrastructure is set to rise by 4.3 % CAGR between 2018 and 2028. Current investment is calculated at $232.9 billion and this will reach $355.1 billion (constant 2018 US$) by the year 2028. Growth rates vary greatly from region to region. The region displaying fastest growth is the Indian Sub-continent with 7.1… 
Megacities – resilient solutions for electrical power supply TRANSFORM, the international conference and exhibition for specialists from the transformer industry, is dedicating this year in the HONG KONG Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) to the topic of megacities. In the context of a study, three central points were identified. A very important aspect is the topic of resilience. The loads on the power grids are… 
60 years of transformational growth SPECO was founded in 1958, when new China stepped onto the path toward industrialization. The electric power industry was flourishing under the guidance of industrialized development, and our business was supplying spare parts and maintenance services for large power generation stations, as well as manufacturing some simple and single products for these customers. After the reform and opening up of… 
Converter transformers – A crucial component of HVDC system Abstract Global HVDC converter transformer market is projected to reach $5.3 billion by 2025 at a CAGR of approximately 18 %. The market is mainly driven by new installations of HVDC systems for new off-shore wind systems and long-distance power transfer to load centers, however, refurbishments also plays a significant role. Some of the leading players… 
Isoletri components for transformers insulation Cellulose insulation One of the crucial elements in all electrical devices and machines is the insulation system. The purpose of insulating materials is to isolate electrical circuits from each other and from other conductive parts or components. Electrical transformers are used to convert alternating current energy from one voltage level to another, and insulation system is the most critical component… 
Transformers are a marvel of physics and an engineering feat – allowing one continuous energy path to exist that meets the differing, best needs of its segments simultaneously – bridging the transmission circuit, for example, that operates most efficiently at a high voltage to a distribution circuit that operates more practically at a medium voltage. It does all of this within an impressively minimalistic footprint… 
Moisture equilibrium in transformer insulation systems: Mirage or reality? Part 2 Abstract: In the operating transformer water is always in transition, either moving within cellulose insulation or migrating from paper to oil and versa visa. This article discusses the moisture cloud algorithm, which reveals the value water in oil measurement has in predicting the amount of water available for drying out, determining the safety margin… 
The relationship between the physical, chemical, and functional properties Electrical insulating liquids are one part of the insulating system for transformers and other electrical apparatuses. Through decades of experience, insulating liquids, especially mineral insulating oil, have been found to meet the requirements for the whole spectrum of transformers, from small distribution to large power— even though the technical requirements for each apparatus are different. The… 
A century of dissolved gas analysis - part I Introduction Electricity powers the world and is an indispensable product for humanity, almost like water and food. This energy category needs two types of materials which make it feasible - electrical conductors and electrical insulators. In practice, no one can afford to use ideal conductors and insulations matrixes. Accordingly, the industry has to compromise with the… 
The aging of power transformers Introduction The objectives of this paper are to: lay out the factors that contribute to transformer aging, present an integrated approach to assessing all of these factors, and help users increase their abilities to manage aging transformers. To counter the negative consequences of the aging behavior of power transformers, users need to optimize the operation of their transformer populations from… 
The effects of overload on distribution transformers Abstract Southern California Edison removes approximately 30,000 medium voltage transformers from service annually. Approximately 2,000 of these units are subjected to condition assessment testing to determine suitability for reinstallation. The challenge in assessment testing lies in accurate interpretation of the measured parameters. This is particularly problematic when evaluating distribution class transformers which are routinely subjected to overloads and… 
ABB’s TXplore robot redefines transformer inspection Despite the use of non-invasive condition monitoring techniques to determine possible faults and avoid adverse failures in oil immersed transformers, there are routine and emergency situations that require costly internal inspections with major risk to both transformer structure and human inspectors. Nowadays, utilities perform internal visual inspections following lightning strikes and when there is the need to isolate the… 
Dawn of the digital distribution transformer Distribution utilities are dealing with far more complicated power grids than ever before. Unprecedented challenges are posed by a bewildering array of factors: rapid expansion of cities and urban areas; incremental grid upgrades; the addition to the grid of renewable generation sources such as solar and wind; and the inclusion of unique loads such as electric vehicle (EV)… 
Transformer asset management – do more with less With an average age in industrial plants of 30 years and in utilities of 40 years, the world's transformer fleet is aging – and is incurring associated increasing replacement and repair costs, and risk of failure. The economic pressures of deregulated and competitive markets, and the tendency to overload transformers, only exacerbates matters. Many transformers are now… 
Significance of radiation heat transfer on cooling performance of transformer radiator Abstract The article demonstrates significance of radiation heat transfer on cooling performance of radiators used in power transformers with air natural cooling configuration using analytical calculations and computational fluid dynamics simulations on two different case studies. Convective and radiative heat transfer mechanisms are modelled on a single radiator and a good agreement with the… 
The ABB Ability Power Transformer sets new industry standards The power landscape is predicted to change more in the next 10 years than it has in the last 100. This is mostly due to the change in generation mix, where the integration of renewables and distributed energy resources is having the double impact of adding volatile supply sources while causing a decline in traditional… 
How to optimise the cost of transformer use and save money Abstract The targets of the 20/20/20 EU program led to general performances review of the transformers and introduction of the Ecodesign Regulation in order to ensure that new transformers put into service in the EU become progressively more efficient. The resulting energy savings have been estimated at 16 TWh per year from 2020 onwards,… 
Power losses model of a foil winding Abstract A semi-analytical method for calculating foil winding power losses is presented in the article. The short-circuit losses of foil type windings are somehow greater in comparison to the other types of windings consisting of rectangular conductors or magnet wires. The main reason for higher losses is related to eddy currents induced by the magnetic field passing through… 
