Amorphous metal transformer

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Amorphous Metal Transformer (AMT) is a kind of energy efficient transformer found on electric grids ^[1]. The magnetic core of such transformer is made with amorphous metal, which can be easily magnetized / demagnetized. Because of this property, core loss of AMT is significantly lower than conventional transformer. Typically, core loss can be reduced by 70-80% as compared to its traditional counterpart. Reduction in energy loss leads to reduction of generation requirement and hence less CO₂ emission. As energy shortage and environmental concerns are increasingly recognized, this technology has also caught attention ^[2][3]. In particular, it has been widely adopted by big developing countries such as China ^[4] and India ^[5] where energy conservation and CO₂ emission reduction have been put on priority. These two countries, for example, can potentially, on annual base, save 25-30TWh electricity, elimate 6-8GW generation investment, and reduce 20-30 million tons of CO₂ emission by fully utilizing this technology.

With the current manufacturing capability, amorphous metal transformers are mainly found at the low voltage end, i.e. a primary voltage of 6-11KV. Some manufacturers also can build 35KV types even though the structural design is demanding. Since most of these transformers are installed at the distribution end by utilities, they are also commonly referred as Amorphous Metal Distribution Transformer (AMDT). When an industrial user installs his own amorphous metal transformer for his plant, the transformer is sometimes referred as Amorphous Metal Industrial Transformer (AMIT). Technically, there is no difference between AMDT and AMIT except the former is more standardized as defined by the utility, and the latter is more customermized for the industrial user. There is a common conception that AMIT is usually larger in terms of capacity but it is only true for some countries. It is very much depending on the country's electricity supply policy.

[edit] Notes and References

1. ^ B. Kennedy, “Energy Efficient Transformers” McGraw-Hill, 1998.
2. ^ J.Li, “Climate Change and Energy - Opportunities in China”, presented in Climate Change: The Business Forecast" Conference, London, Oct 2005. (Available from links on Jerry Li 's page at http://jerryli.topcities.com or http://www.jerryli.co.nr)
3. ^ J. Li, “Use of Energy Efficient Transformers in Asia”, presented in Asian Energy Conference 2000, Hong Kong. (Available from links on Jerry Li 's page at http://jerryli.topcities.com or http://www.jerryli.co.nr)
4. ^ “SPC Note on T&D network loss reduction and energy saving plan” SPC Transportation and Energy Section, Document #123, 1997 (in Chinese).
5. ^ B.S.K. Naidu, “Amorphous Metal Transformers – New Technology Developments”, Keynote Speech, CBIP-AlliedSignal Seminar (India), April 1999.