Amorphous metal transformer
Encyclopedia
Amorphous Metal Transformer (AMT) is a type of energy efficient transformer
found on electric grids. The magnetic core
of this transformer is made with amorphous metal
(e.g. Metglas
), which is easily magnetized / demagnetized. Typically, core loss can be 70–80% less than its traditional counterpart. This leads to a reduction of generation requirement and, when using electric power generated from fossil fuel
s, less CO2 emissions
. It has been widely adopted by large developing countries such as China
and India
where energy conservation and CO2 emission reduction have been put on priority. These two countries can potentially save 25–30 TWh electricity annually, eliminate 6-8 GW generation investment, and reduce 20–30 million tons of CO2 emission by fully utilizing this technology.
As one of the major programs to improve grid efficiency, China has started to install amorphous metal transformers in a number of energy intensive provinces since 2005. Over 20,000 MVA of such transformers are installed every year. This movement has also led to the successful development and production of amorphous metal ribbon in China.
Energy efficient transformer
In a typical power distribution grid, electric transformer power loss typically contributes about 40-50% of the total transmission & distribution loss. Energy efficient transformers are therefore an important means to reduce T&D loss. With the improvement of electrical steel properties, the losses...
found on electric grids. The magnetic core
Magnetic core
A magnetic core is a piece of magnetic material with a high permeability used to confine and guide magnetic fields in electrical, electromechanical and magnetic devices such as electromagnets, transformers, electric motors, inductors and magnetic assemblies. It is made of ferromagnetic metal such...
of this transformer is made with amorphous metal
Amorphous metal
An amorphous metal is a metallic material with a disordered atomic-scale structure. In contrast to most metals, which are crystalline and therefore have a highly ordered arrangement of atoms, amorphous alloys are non-crystalline...
(e.g. Metglas
Metglas
Metglas is a thin amorphous metal alloy ribbon produced by using rapid solidification process of approx: 1,000,000°C/s. This rapid solidification creates unique ferromagnetic properties that allows the ribbon to be magnetized and de-magnetized quickly and effectively with very low core losses of...
), which is easily magnetized / demagnetized. Typically, core loss can be 70–80% less than its traditional counterpart. This leads to a reduction of generation requirement and, when using electric power generated from fossil fuel
Fossil fuel
Fossil fuels are fuels formed by natural processes such as anaerobic decomposition of buried dead organisms. The age of the organisms and their resulting fossil fuels is typically millions of years, and sometimes exceeds 650 million years...
s, less CO2 emissions
Greenhouse gas
A greenhouse gas is a gas in an atmosphere that absorbs and emits radiation within the thermal infrared range. This process is the fundamental cause of the greenhouse effect. The primary greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere are water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone...
. It has been widely adopted by large developing countries such as China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
and India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
where energy conservation and CO2 emission reduction have been put on priority. These two countries can potentially save 25–30 TWh electricity annually, eliminate 6-8 GW generation investment, and reduce 20–30 million tons of CO2 emission by fully utilizing this technology.
As one of the major programs to improve grid efficiency, China has started to install amorphous metal transformers in a number of energy intensive provinces since 2005. Over 20,000 MVA of such transformers are installed every year. This movement has also led to the successful development and production of amorphous metal ribbon in China.