Energy efficient TMG transformers


This transformer with reduced energy losses allows to save up to 20,000 rubles per year.

In the context of the global shortage of energy capacity and constant growth of energy consumption, the issue of energy efficiency is becoming increasingly relevant. Development of resource-saving equipment is the main task set by the leading manufacturers of electrical equipment in Europe. This issue is one of the most important for Russia, where the cost of operation of outdated electrical equipment increases every year.

Having studied the world experience, specialists of “Transformer” plant have developed cost-efficient transformers with reduced energy losses. The projects have passed the expert assessment performed by European colleagues and received approval from leading experts in the field of transformer construction.

Inevitable energy losses associated with the way transformers operate have been known since the moment of their invention. But never before has the issue of optimizing the costs associated with the energy losses been so urgent. The fact is that such losses are unavoidable due to the conversion of electrical energy into heat in the process: part of it heats the wires (short-circuit losses), and part is lost due to magnetization (no-load losses). Overall losses amount to ≥9 kilowatts per hour, which is equal to energy consumption of 4 household appliances. 

Since transformers operate around the clock, the losses occur constantly. If you multiply the wasted kilowatts by the electric rate, you will see how much money is wasted on heating the wires and magnetization. So, in the case of a transformer rated for 630 kVA, there is more than 100 thousand rubles going down the drain every year. 

The physics of the process is such that it is impossible to eliminate the losses completely. Yet there is a way to significantly reduce the operation costs, that is to use an energy efficient transformer. 

Advanced technologies and materials implemented in such transformers to a great extend prevent the energy from being wasted on heating the wires during operation of the equipment, which means that consumers can save kilowatts and money. For TMG-630 kVA transformer, the savings achieved reach 20 thousand rubles per year, and in the case of large-capacity transformers, the figure is much higher.

The price of such energy efficient transformers will be 15-20 % higher than that of common ones. Therefore, savings will not be visible immediately, but rather after 2-3 years. But when installing a transformer for 25 years to come, it is reasonable to consider making a long-shot investment and to compare the one-time saving from buying a cheap conventional transformer against long-term savings from an energy efficient transformer preventing energy losses. Here is a simple example. If all transformers in the country were simultaneously replaced with energy efficient ones, citizens of at least two or three Russian cities would be freed of the burden to pay electricity bills for a whole year. 

The data shown in the tables suggests that during the first 3 years of operation, the consumer saves more than 50 thousand rubles, and within 10 years – more than 170 thousand. The calculations are made with the assumption that during this period the electricity rates remain unchanged. But this is hardly to be expected. Moreover, over time, Russian electricity rates will be increasingly approaching European ones, which start from 0.11 euros (3.58 rubles) as of today. 

The energy efficient transformers are a bargain for Russia with its electric power system being renewed and actively developed towards implementation of energy-efficient, high-tech and cost-effective solutions.

Comparative Chart of Losses Associated with Operation of TMG Transformers

 

No-load losses, W

Short-circuit losses, W

Capacity

630

1,000

1,250

630

1,000

1,250

Energy efficient transformer

1,000

1,300

1,400

6,600

9,800

11,000

Conventional transformer

1,200

1,600

1,900

7,800

10,800

13,000

 Monetary Value of Losses Associated with Operation of TMG Transformers


Description of the compared values 

Capacity, kVA

630

1,000

1,250

Losses, kW 

Conventional transformer

9

12.4

14.9

Energy efficient transformer

7.6

11.1

12.4

Difference in losses per hour, kW

1.4

1.3

2.5


Savings, rub.*

Over 1 year

18,396

17,082

32,850

Over 3 years

55,188

51,246

98,550

Over 10 years

183,960

170,820

328,500

Savings in euros over 10 years

5.300

4.900

9.400

Savings in euros over 10 years with assumed growth of electricity rates to European levels

12,600

11,680

24,460

* The electricity rate is assumed to be 1.5 rubles per kilowatt-hour. It is also assumed that the rate remains unchanged along this 10-year period

Transformer type

Transformer capacity,
kVA

Rated higher
voltage, kV

Rated low
voltage, kV

Wiring and vector
group

impedance voltage, 
%

Ixx, %

NL Losses
, W

SC Losses
, kW*

Total weight, kg

TMG12-400

400

6; 10

230V; 400V; 690V; 6.0 kV*; 10.0 kV*

D/Un-11
U/Un-0

4.5

0.8

610

4,600

1,400

TMG12-1000

1,000

6; 10

230V; 400V; 690V; 6.0 kV*; 10.0 kV*

D/Un-11
U/Un-0

5.5

0.6

1,100

10,500

2,600

TMG12-1250

1,250

6; 10

230V; 400V; 690V; 6.0 kV*; 10.0 kV*

D/Un-11
U/Un-0

6

0.6

1,350

12,400

2,900

TMG12-1600

1,600

6; 10

230V; 400V; 690V; 6.0 kV*; 10.0 kV*

D/Un-11
U/Un-0

6

0.5

2,100

16,500

3,650