Amorphous Metal core material shows economic and environmental benefits when pre-existing transformers are to be replaced within Vattenfall Group´s distribution network

This paper describes Amorphous Metal core Distribution Transformers (AMDT) and its potential to obtain economic and environmental benefits when pre-existing transformers are to be replaced. Vattenfall´s ambition is to decrease losses within the Vattenfall Group´s distribution network, thus contributing to the environment and economy, and hence confirm that this is an important issue for Vattenfall. Distribution transformers within the Vattenfall Group´s distribution network in Sweden, Germany and Poland are investigated and presented in three different business cases that consider the current sizes, quantities, ages and load utilization. The inventory of the distribution transformers used at Vattenfall, indicates that conventional transformers of fairly high loss types have been selected over low loss types. Choosing low loss amorphous transformers when pre-existing transformers are to be replaced, means that the CO₂ emission will be significantly reduced. AMDT have the potential to reduce transformer no-load losses by up to 70% compared to conventional technology. This paper discusses the general aspects of AMDT transformer losses as well as the importance of using the Total Ownership Cost (TOC) method to determine the economic benefits whenever a unit is to be purchased.