Interview with authors of Transformers Magazine best article 2022 – Angelo Baggini, Alberto Cracco, Bruno De Wachter, Phil Hopkinson, and Alan Sbravati
At the origin of our research is the basic fact that the electricity grid will need to be heavily reinforced to allow for the growth in renewable production.
De Wachter: At the origin of our research is the basic fact that the electricity grid will need to be heavily reinforced to allow for the growth in renewable production, EV charging, heat pumps, and other forms of electrification. Ideally, not all of this need will be met through an equally solid growth in network equipment size and material use and part of it can be achieved through a range of smart operational solutions. One such solution is to derate transformers to increase their capacity without increasing their size. Of course, lowering the nameplate value means that the unit will go into peak mode more often, and the peaks will be higher, but this is made possible thanks to new liquid and solid insulation materials that allow for operation at higher temperatures without affecting the transformer’s reliability or lifetime. In short: the sustainable peak load, or SPL, concept is both advanced technology and a new mode of operation.
Sbravati: Another element at the origin of our analysis is the observation that the average loading in distribution networks is low – lower than initially thought – as recent measurement campaigns in the US have shown. This may be different in some countries or regions, but certainly, many EU distribution grids have equally low average loadings. This looks like an unnecessary waste of assets, even more so given the challenges our networks will be facing in the near future. Seen in this light, expanding the loadability of distribution transformers would be beneficial to society.
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