SuperEfficiencyCore cuts transformer size
A pilot programme tests ultra-compact amorphous core transformers in South Africa and the US, promising major reductions in size, weight, and losses.
Image for illustrative purposes
South Africa / USA: A South African engineering company, AFD Grid Technologies, has announced the development of a new transformer platform based on a recently synthesised amorphous magnetic material branded as SuperEfficiencyCore.
According to the company, transformers built with this material are up to four times smaller and three times lighter than conventional units of comparable rating. The innovation is currently being tested through a pilot programme involving 50 distribution transformers deployed within a local South African utility, as well as selected distribution system operators (DSOs) in the United States.
The company states that the new core material significantly reduces magnetic losses while enabling more compact designs, potentially easing installation constraints in urban environments and lowering transport and handling costs.
SuperEfficiencyCore is reportedly derived from a newly synthesised alloy developed in South Africa. Early geological assessments suggest that the country holds substantial reserves of the key raw material required for its production, with availability projected for several hundred years.
Initial field testing is focused on performance validation under real grid conditions, including load variability, thermal behaviour, and long-term reliability. Industry observers note that if the results meet expectations, the technology could represent a major shift in transformer design, particularly for distribution networks facing space and efficiency challenges.
Further updates from the pilot programme are expected later this year.
Source: AFD Gruid Technologies
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