Evaluating the Harmonic Effects on the Thermal Performance of a Power Transformer

Mohamed S. Seddik (), Magdy B. Eteiba and Jehan Shazly
Additional contact information
Mohamed S. Seddik: Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Fayoum, Fayoum 63514, Egypt
Magdy B. Eteiba: Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Fayoum, Fayoum 63514, Egypt
Jehan Shazly: Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Fayoum, Fayoum 63514, Egypt

Energies, 2024, vol. 17, issue 19, 1-17

Abstract: Harmonics in the power grid contribute to increased power losses in both the core and windings of power transformers. These losses lead to abnormal rises in temperature causing overheating and reduce the efficiency of the transformer. If the losses and temperature exceed the values set during the design stage for linear load conditions, it can damage the transformer’s insulating materials and shorten its lifespan. To assess the thermal impact of power system harmonics on transformers under steady-state and transient conditions, the rated losses and harmonic losses of the transformer are calculated. These losses are then inputted into a developed thermal 3D finite element method (FEM) performance model to determine the temperature distribution of transformer components. The numerical results from the thermal model will be compared with data from a Hyundai test report and real measurements from Egypt’s Kureimat power plant, specifically a 750 MW combined cycle power plant. The thermal modeling is focused on a step-up (16.5/240 kV), 240 ± 4 × 2.5%, 180/240/300 MVA power transformer operating in ONAN, ONAF1, and ONAF2 modes. This paper shows that the developed model aligns closely with actual measurements and the HYUNDAI test report. The loss calculations reveal that the discrepancy in total losses, with and without accounting for harmonics, becomes more pronounced as the load increases. Using this model, the presence of grid harmonics results in a higher temperature distribution across transformer components, leading to an increase in the hot spot temperature.

Keywords: nonlinear load; harmonic losses; transformer thermal model; finite element method (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/19/4871/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/19/4871/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jeners:v:17:y:2024:i:19:p:4871-:d:1487897

Access Statistics for this article

Energies is currently edited by Ms. Agatha Cao

More articles in Energies from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().