Energy Savings with Amorphous Metal Core
Distribution Transformers
“POWER FOR ALL” mission requires generation capacity to be at
least 2,00,000 MW at least by 2012 from existing level of 1,14,000 MW. This
would approximately mean an investment of INR 3,50,000 crores roughly to
transmit this power to be used.
India currently has Transmission and Distribution Losses of 29% which results
in a loss of revenue of INR 76000 crores. We aim to reduce the losses to 15 %
by 2012 which can be greatly possible by implementing energy efficient
equipments.
Transformer Losses
Load Losses Or Coil Losses: the loss is proportional to the square of load
drawn.
No Load Losses Or Core Losses: the loss is continuous, independent of load.
Minimizing No Load Loss Represents High Savings Potential Using Amorphous
Metal Transformers Capitalizes On This Opportunity
Why Amorphous Metal for Transformers?
No Load Losses
►
Hysteresis Loss
Random molecular structure of amorphous metal causes less friction than SiFe
when a magnetic field is applied. This unique property which allows ease of
magnetization & demagnetization significantly lowers hysteresis losses in
amorphous metals.
► Eddy
Current Loss
Amorphous metals have very thin laminations. Thin laminations result in lower
eddy current losses as compared to SiFe.
Amorphous Metal Casting Process
► Molten
metal feed through small nozzle slot onto rapidly moving, water cooled
substrate.
► Rapid
solidification - 106 oC per second.
► ~100
kilometer per hour line speed.
►
Continuous operation with multi-hub, indexing winder.
► Careful
raw materials and melt chemistry control.
►
Extremely tight position and speed control.
► In line
sensing and control.
Amorphous Metals are Easy To Magnetize & Demagnetize
Crystalline
► Regular
and Periodic Arrangement.
► Defects
in structure hinder magnetic domain movement.
►
Crystalline structures have easy and hard directions for magnetization.
► Requires
thermo-mechanical grain orientation processing for best properties.
Amorphous
► Random
Arrangement of atoms.
► No
structural defects to hinder domain movement.
► Magnetic
field annealing for optimized directional properties.
Amorphous Metal Transformer Benefits
Energy Savings
No load losses are 20% to 30% of conventional transformers.
► Show a
payback in ~3 years, after which the benefits continue for the life of the
product irrespective of loading.
► Payback
period further reduces if effect of system harmonics is considered.
Savings In Transformer Repair Cost
► Fast
& easy repair due to modular construction
Savings Due To Long Service Life
► High
reliability
Reliability & Quality
Excellent Short Circuit Capability:
► Robust
single coil construction addresses axial component of short circuit forces.
►
Interlayer bonding using epoxy dotted paper addresses radial component of
short circuit forces.
Better Overloading Capacity:
► Lesser
heat generation due to lower losses.
► Lesser
impact on aging of insulation.
Assured Product Quality:
► Use of
single quality (grade) core material.
► Highly
mechanized & standardized process to achieve consistency in quality.
Ease Of Manufacture & Repair:
► Easy
lacing & unlacing of core for coil installation.
Uniform Transformer Designs:
►
Transformer designs through software to achieve optimum performance parameters.
More On Total Owning Cost Loss Evaluation Factors
► TOC loss
evaluation factors (A&B) impact future electrical energy usage.
► Buying
decisions affect usage today and 30 years into the future.
► Current
TOC methods do not incorporate several key factors.
E-Factor: Societal & economic costs of generation related CO2, SO2 and
NOX emissions.
H-Factor: Increased transformer losses due to power quality (harmonics)
issues.
“E” Factor: Capturing The Environmental Cost
►
Increasing awareness of efficient transformers impact on greenhouse gas
emission reduction.
► Standard
method to capture effects in TOC not yet accepted.
►
Environmental cost can logically be added to “A” and “B” factors.
► Cost per
ton of pollutant times tons per kWh.
“H” Factor: Dealing With Real World Power Quality
► Growing
concern over power quality and impact on T&D systems
►
Harmonics - high frequency components added to current and voltage wave
forms.
► Computer
power supplies, motor drives, fluorescent lighting, etc.
► Effects on
transformer operating costs not fully appreciated.
► Focus on
transformer overheating and life (winding and stray losses) - not operating
costs.
► Core
loss and total effects not yet recognized.
►
Transformer losses not generally monitored in-situ.
► Growing
evidence that harmonics have significant impact on transformer losses and
operating costs.
► Impact
much less for Amorphous Metal Transformers.
► AM low
eddy current losses, AM’s advantage increases with increasing frequency.
► Reports
from industrial users in Japan - AMT savings larger than expected.
► ERDA
(India) - controlled field studies.
►
Harmonics are prevalent.
► Coil and
core losses increase.
► Increase
is less for AM cores.
► TOC load
loss and no load loss concepts are not adequate.
► Core loss
no load loss.
► Depends
on harmonics and load.
► Research
continues.
Amorphous Metal Core Manufacturing
► Flexible
processes and simple tooling for multiple core sizes.
► Precise
dimensional control for consistent properties and ease of core/coil assembly.
► Bonded
edges for core integrity and transformer reliability.
► Magnetic
field annealing for stress relief and magnetic property optimization.
► Core
properties tested 100% for consistent transformer loss performance.
Amorphous Metal Coil Manufacturing
► Coil
technology is key factor for cost effective AMT’s.
► One
piece, rectangular coils.
►
Materials and process developed for maximum performance, minimum quantities.
► High
axial and radial fill factors minimize conductor and core costs, maximize short
circuit strength.
► Precise
dimensional control during winding and finishing to minimize core/coil
clearances.
AMT Core/Coil Assembly
► Ribbon
groups overlapped.
► Groups
staggered to space overlaps across joint.
► Joint is
opened up for core/coil assembly and then re-laced.
► Joint
can be opened and closed multiple times.
► Allows
transformers to be repaired if necessary.
► One
piece core allows for easy assembly.
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Conclusion
► Saves huge amounts of Energy by axing the No Load Losses in a Transformer
by 60 -70 %.
► Over 10,00,000 Transformers in service throughout the globe.
► Utilities in states of Gujarat, Maharastra, Haryana,Andhra Pradesh and
CPSU’s like PGCIL, NTPC, NHPC have already procured huge quantities of these
energy savers.
► Helps in reduction of green house gases due to savings in Generation.
► Growing concerns in European Union through Programs like SEEDT.
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