Time-reversal methods can make power transformers more reliable

(Image: Pixabay CC0) - Engineers at EPFL's Electromagnetic Compatibility Laboratory have developed a revolutionary method for detecting and locating partial discharges, which disrupt the functioning of power transformers. Transformers play a central role in power distribution systems, making it possible to carry electric power over long distances with minimal risk and losses. They're crucial for ensuring the stability and reliability of power grids. When problems occur in transformers, grid operators need to be able to detect them rapidly and determine exactly where they're located. "Sometimes, disturbances known as partial discharges occur inside a transformer," says Farhad Rachidi, a full professor at EPFL and head of the Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Laboratory. "If operators don't do anything to fix them, the discharges can result in serious damage over time and even cause the transformer to explode." Time-reversed equations - There are a number of systems that can detect partial discharges, but they aren't very effective in pinpointing where they originate. "With our method, engineers can locate the source of a partial discharge and act quickly to solve the problem," says Hamid Reza Karami, scientist at the EPFL EMC Lab.