Variable-frequency transformer: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 14:55, 24 January 2023

Revision as of 13:35, 6 March 2023

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{{Short description|Transmits electricity between two alternating current frequency domains}}

{{RefimproveMore citations needed|date=May 2016}}

A '''variable-frequency transformer''' ('''VFT''') is used to transmit [[electric power|electricity]] between two ([[wikt:asynchronous|asynchronous]] or synchronous) [[alternating current]] [[frequency]] domains. The VFT is a relatively recent development. Most asynchronous grid inter-ties use [[high-voltage direct current]] converters, while synchronous grid inter-ties are connected by lines and "ordinary" [[electrical transformer|transformer]]s, but without the ability to control power flow between the systems, or with [[quadrature booster|phase-shifting transformer]] with some flow control.

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Five small variable-frequency transformer with a total power rate of 25 MVA were in use at [[Neuhof Substation]], Bad Sachsa, Germany for coupling power grids of former East and [[West Germany]] between 1985 and 1990.

Langlois Substation in [[Québec]], [[Canada]] ({{Coord|45|17|13.76|N|74|0|56.07|W|}}) installed a 100 MW variable-frequency transformer in 2004 to connect the asynchronous grids in Québec and the [[northeastern United States]]. This was the first large scale, commercial variable frequency transformer, and was installed at [[Hydro-Québec]] Langlois substation and is located electrically near sixteen hydro generators at [[Les Cèdres, Quebec]] and thirty-six more hydro generators at [[Beauharnois, Quebec]]. The operating experience since April 2004 has demonstrated the VFT’sVFT's inherent compatibility with the nearby generators<ref> Marchen, P.E, Marczewski, J.J, D'Aquila, R, Hassink, P., Roedel, J.H. and Bodo, R.L. (2014). [https://www.academia.edu/10527124/VFT_A_Smart_Transmission_Technology_That_Is_Compatible_With_the_Existing_and_Future_Grid?auto=download&campaign=weekly_digest VFT – A Smart Transmission Technology That Is Compatible With the Existing and Future Grid]. Power Systems Conference and Exposition, 2009, 1-7. doi:10.1109/PSCE.2009.4840083</ref>

AEP Texas installed a 100 MW VFT substation in [[Laredo, Texas|Laredo]], Texas, [[United States]] ({{Coord|27|34|13.64|N|99|30|34.98|W|}}) in early 2007. It connects the power systems of [[ERCOT]] (in the United States) to [[Comisión Federal de Electricidad|CFE]] (in Mexico). (See [https://web.archive.org/web/20150621212836/http://www.ettexas.com/projects/vft.asp The Laredo VFT Project].)