Box-type transformer energy storage heating

Can electrical substation transformers be a heat source for district heating?

To evaluate the potential of WHR from electrical substation transformers as a heat source for district heating, a complete heat recovery, upgrade and distribution system for delivering the recovered heat to end users was simulated using a spreadsheet model. A schematic showing the main components of the system modelled is shown in Fig. 5.

Which cooled transformer has a medium potential for heat recovery?

Oil natural/ air forced (ONAF) cooled transformers and oil forced/ air forced (OFAF) cooled transformers were both considered to have medium potential for heat recovery, due to the oil-to-air heat exchanger generally being located in the open air and thereby limiting the opportunity for harvesting the heat.

Can a transformer be used as a primary heat source?

Due to the fluctuating nature of transformer loading, waste heat output varies significantly, meaning transformers might be best applied in larger networks when combined with a stable primary heat source (e.g. industrial waste heat or geothermal).

Can transformer waste heat be harvested and distributed via district heating networks?

The transformation of voltages in electrical substations leads to energy losses in the form of waste heat; the quantity of which depends on transformer size and electrical loading. This paper investigates how a novel waste heat source, namely transformer waste heat could be harvested and distributed via district heating networks.

How is waste heat recovered from a transformer?

The recovery of the waste heat from the transformer was assumed to be based on the oil-forced water-forced (OFWF) system shown in Fig. 1 (c), whereby the primary coolant was mineral oil which was pumped through the transformer core removing the heat generated, and then transferred to a secondary coolant water loop.

Are oil forced/water forced cooled transformers suitable for heat recovery?

However, oil forced/ water forced (OFWF) cooled transformers were considered to have high potential for heat recovery, since this system offered higher waste heat outputs and enable greater control of the WHR process.