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The Solid-State Shift: Reinventing the Transformer for Modern Grids
Transformers have been the backbone of power grids for over a century, but today's demands for renewable energy, electric vehicles, and smarter grids are
Stemming from Michael Faraday’s groundbreaking discovery of electromagnetic induction in 1831, the first transformer systems built circa 1885 revolutionized electricity transfer, essentially by enabling the step-up of voltage for efficient long-distance transmission and subsequent step-down for safe local use. Operating at frequencies ranging from tens of kilohertz to several megahertz, the HFT significantly reduces size and weight compared to traditional transformers, making it ideal for space-constrained environments like urban substations or offshore wind platforms. Reliability and field performance are also critical factors, and SSTs, with their multi-stage designs and advanced control capabilities, will need to undergo extensive testing and validation to ensure they can withstand the rigors of real-world grid operations.
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