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Improving the efficiency of grid power transformers and reactors

Improve the reliability of loss tests of transformers and reactors in the power transformer industry – that was the aim of the completed EMPIR project Loss Measurements on Power Transformers and Reactors (17NRM01, TrafoLoss). To this end, it has established highly accurate loss measurement systems (LMS) for transformers and reactors, and developed prototype devices that significantly reduce measurement uncertainty of industrial LMS. By enabling European manufacturers to produce high-quality electricity grid components and demonstrate compliance with the Ecodesign regulations, manufacturers will be able to make steps toward meeting the EU’s Green Deal energy objectives.

The main overall impact of the project lies in the metrology support it has provided for successful implementation of the Ecodesign Directive 2009/125/EC on power transformer efficiency, which positively impacts European industry, National Metrology Institutes, market surveillance authorities and standardisation development organisations.

Particular achievements of the project include:

• Early uptake of the project results by the stakeholder community: one of the new LMS voltage channels has been used in actual on-site loss measurements of reactors at the premises of GE Grid Solutions Ltd.
• On-site calibrations of industrial transformer LMSs using the improved reference setups developed in the project have taken place at, among others Royal Smit Transformers, ABB Power Grids, GE Grid Solutions, SGB, Best Transformer, Eltaş Transformatör, Astor Transformator, STD Transformatör, BETA Transformatör, Sönmez Trafo, Schneider Electric, SEM Transformatör, and Ulusoy Electric.
• Good practice guide for calibration of industrial power transformer loss measurement systems was written by the consortium, summarising the advantages and disadvantages of LMS component and system calibration, including a discussion of the uncertainties that are achievable. The guide also discusses calibration intervals and cross-checks versus risk. It provides useful guidance to NMIs and industrial calibration laboratories performing LMS calibrations. The contents of the good practice guide have been used to train DNVGL–KEMA inspectors of power transformers. This guidance has also fed into the IEC 60076-19 standard.
• Highly-successful final stakeholder workshop, attended by over 40 industry and academic experts from the power transformer community and members of CENELEC TC14 Power transformers, who triggered the research of the TrafoLoss project. The presentations from the workshop are available.

Project Coordinator Gert Rietveld from VSL said

‘This project has been unique in both realising new high-end measurement infrastructure as well as extensively using it in actual on-site measurements during the course of the project. A real step change has been made in ensuring reliable transformator loss measurements by the power transformer industry’.

This EMPIR project is co-funded by the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme and the EMPIR Participating States.

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