Final Activity Report Summary - HIGHPOW-VOLREG (New voltage regulator for power transformers to improve the energy quality) Many industrial activities and everyday life utilities - such as lighting systems or electronic devices require a constant voltage level or as little a variation between certain admissible limits. It is a real problem when one takes into account that more and more customers use PCs or network system PCs because it is well known that these kinds of systems need a constant voltage supply level. Unfortunately the requested voltage supply is out of the admissible range, which leads to damages and even the blackouts, a very unpleasant situation. To avoid these aspects a new solution was proposed and the following results have been achieved: - designing of a new device to adjust the voltage level; - build a prototype for the new device; - laboratory testing and validation of the proposed solution; - dissemination of the new concept.. Six patent requests have resulted. And, using specific CAD and FEM modelling and simulation software the main component parts of the new device have been designed. The mechanical components, the power circuits (windings and magnetic circuits) and the electronic devices (power electronic assembly and control unit), have allowed a prototype of the new device to be built. This contains, starting from the bottom, the following modules: the main power circuit for the step voltage regulation together with the current transformers, the variable inductive reactances for continuous voltage adjusting, the power supply unit for control circuits and voltage transducers, the control unit and power electronic modules. This prototype brings some contributions in order to advance the state-of-the-art within voltage regulation devices, such as: - the voltage level is adjusted between admissible limits using a modular device with a simplified mechanical and electrical construction; - step and continuous voltage adjusting; - on-line device control; - improving the operation safety; - quick and easy maintenance; - the modular construction of the new device allow an improved flexibility and adaptation to operating conditions and especially to insulated villages. A series of laboratory tests have been performed in order to establish the accuracy of the device and to validate the proposed solution. A simple test bench for the prototype has been built and the main parameters of the new device have been checked. A demonstration for this new device has been made to E.ON Moldova S.A. a regional branch of the Power Distribution Company, Romania. Also, the prototype has been tested at one of the medium/low voltage power transformer from a medium/voltage power cell of the E.ON Moldova S.A. Company. As a whole, this research project wanted to turn the research activity into useful and commercially valuable innovation, which is one of the specific programme objectives. On the other hand, the project objectives converged on the academic activity of the researcher as an employee at Gh. Asachi Technical University, Iasi, Romania, the host institution. In this context, both activity components, research and academic, forwarded a smooth reintegration of the researcher into the host institution with the objective of reaffirming his research and academic career.
