Global Transformer Design Optimization (GTDO) using Harmony Search and FEM Technique

Abstract

Transformers are the heart of electrical transmission and distribution systems. Global transformer design optimization (GTDO) is a complex multi-objective optimization problem. Aim of transformer design is to obtain the dimensions of all parts of the transformer in order to supply these data to the manufacturer. The transformer should be designed in a manner such that it is economically viable, has low weight, small size, good performance and at the same time it should satisfy all the constraints imposed by international standards. Many optimization methods proposed in literature for GTDO are prone to find local minimum instead of the global one. So, some design variables and constraints are neglected to reduce the SS size and alleviate the problem. To prevail over the aforementioned problems, this work aims to propose a Harmony Search (HS) combined with FEM technique and also some modifications to conventional GTDO procedure. To verify the effectiveness of the proposed method in achieving the global minimum, it is used to design a 190 MVA and 15.75/400 KV power transformer and also a 400 KVA as experimental case of this method.

Implementation of tree pruning method for power transformer design optimization

“…Finite element method is used to calculate transformer electrical, magnetic, and heat transfer parameters. 22 This enhances the accuracy of the proposed method and eliminates the possibility of infeasible optimum designs. Figure 4 shows the whole flowchart of the proposed optimization method for the PTDO, in which N xi denotes the number of possible states for ith subchromosome:…”

“…The best rendered solution is validated by FEM technique. Finite element method is used to calculate transformer electrical, magnetic, and heat transfer parameters . This enhances the accuracy of the proposed method and eliminates the possibility of infeasible optimum designs.…”