The First Key Technology Workshop on Amorphous and Nanocrystalline Cores for Solid-State Transformers
Release date:
2025-05-21
The meeting introduced high-power amorphous and nanocrystalline high-frequency transformers, which, thanks to their advantages such as high efficiency at high frequencies, compact size, and lightweight design, can significantly enhance power conversion efficiency—achieving efficiencies exceeding 99% in applications like photovoltaic inverters—and drastically reduce charging times (supporting 800V high-voltage fast charging). These transformers are also perfectly suited to meet the future demands of superconducting technologies and AI-driven synergies, making them highly promising for applications in areas such as fast-charging for next-generation electric vehicles, renewable energy conversion, industrial energy conservation, and smart grid systems. Notably, amorphous and nanocrystalline solid-state transformers leverage their unique material properties to deliver exceptional energy savings: at high frequencies, core losses are reduced by 60% to 80% compared to traditional silicon steel, while no-load losses drop by more than 40%. Additionally, the high magnetic permeability of nanocrystalline strips boosts transformer efficiency up to an impressive 98.5%, making these devices particularly ideal for handling the intermittent power supply challenges commonly encountered in renewable energy power plants.
This newspaper report (by reporter Zhao Ping): On May 15, the first Key Technology Workshop on Amorphous and Nanocrystalline Cores (also referred to as iron cores) for Solid-State Transformers was held in Yancheng, Jiangsu Province.
The meeting introduced high-power amorphous and nanocrystalline high-frequency transformers, which, thanks to their advantages such as high efficiency at high frequencies, compact size, and lightweight design, can significantly enhance power conversion efficiency—achieving efficiencies exceeding 99% in applications like photovoltaic inverters—and reduce charging times (supporting 800V high-voltage fast charging). These transformers are also perfectly suited to meet the future demands of superconducting technologies and AI-driven synergies, making them highly promising for applications in areas such as fast-charging for next-generation electric vehicles, renewable energy conversion, industrial energy conservation, and smart grid systems. Notably, amorphous and nanocrystalline solid-state transformers leverage their unique material properties to deliver exceptional energy savings: at high frequencies, core losses are reduced by 60% to 80% compared to traditional silicon steel, while no-load losses drop by more than 40%. Additionally, the high magnetic permeability of nanocrystalline strips boosts transformer efficiency up to an impressive 98.5%, making these devices particularly ideal for handling the intermittent power supply challenges commonly encountered in renewable energy power plants.
At the meeting, Hao Jun, Deputy Secretary-General of the China Electrical Equipment Industry Association, delivered a speech. Ten experts, including Yang Fuyao, Director of the Research Office at China Electric Power Research Institute Co., Ltd., and Zhang Hua, Secretary-General of the Amorphous Alloy Materials Application Branch under the China Electrical Equipment Industry Association, presented keynote reports. Chen Zhe, Associate Professor at Taiyuan University of Science and Technology, and Holly Shan, Chief Engineer at Biplas, respectively chaired the morning and afternoon sessions.
During the keynote session, Yang Fuyao, Cui Bin, Director of the Electrical Department at Tsinghua University’s DC Research Center, Li Binbin, Deputy Director of the Institute of Power Electronics and Electric Drive at Harbin Institute of Technology, Holly Shan, Chen Zhe, Guo Xuan, Vice President of Qingdao Yunlu Shenzhen Research Institute, Wang Zhenyu, a PhD student from Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Liu Zhanlei, a PhD student from Xi'an Jiaotong University, Huang Ziwei, a PhD student from Three Gorges University, and Zhang Hua each shared insights on topics including amorphous and nanocrystalline solid-state transformer design technologies, recent research advancements, application benefits, technical challenges, and future development directions.
This conference was hosted by the Amorphous Alloy Materials Application Branch of the China Electrical Equipment Industry Association, with co-organizers including TBEA Co., Ltd. Xinjiang Transformer Factory, Amorphous China Big Data Center, and Yancheng Bimudi New Material Technology Co., Ltd. Over 150 representatives from research institutes, universities, and manufacturing companies across the amorphous and nanocrystalline material industry chain attended the event.
*China Metallurgical News* (May 21, 2025, Page 3 of Section 3)