Funding entity Comisión Europea
Participated by Red Eléctrica de España, Enterprise Ireland , Ansaldo Ricerche Spa , Techsonic Sarl , Morgan Matroc Ltd , Siegert Electronic gmbH
The instrument transformers, devices for the measurement of voltage and electrical currents, are key elements within the generation and distribution of electrical energy. Nowadays, their importance has grown even higher due to the worldwide deregulation process that faces the electrical sector. However they are still manufactured with almost the same technological principles and methods of four decades ago. Thus, they are among the most expensive components of the control systems. Our main objective is the development of a new kind of measurement current transformer. The proposed system will operate with mechanical waves instead of magnetic flux variations. It will be based on functional materials, magnetostrictive and piezoelectric, rather than copper coils and magnetic core. Preliminary estimates suggest that this approach could reduce 26% the volume, 72% the weight, 100% the isolating oil and 37% the manufacturing costs compare with an equivalent modern current transformer.
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