The impact of artificial intelligence computing power consumption on the power transformer industry
Writer： Hengfeng you electric Time：2024-12-03 views：times
introduction
With the rapid development of artificial intelligence technology, the demand for computing power has increased sharply, which not only leads to huge energy consumption, but also puts higher demands on the power system. As Musk has repeatedly stated in public, the continuous advancement of AI technology will lead to global shortages of chips, transformers, and electricity. It can be said that whoever controls electricity in the future will control computing power. As a key equipment in the power system, power transformers undertake the important tasks of voltage conversion and energy transmission. This article will explore the specific impact of artificial intelligence computing power consumption on power transformers by Martin from Hengfengyou Electric, and propose corresponding countermeasures.
I. Characteristics of Artificial Intelligence Computing Power Consumption
1. High energy consumption: Large data centers and supercomputers are the main facilities supporting the operation of artificial intelligence, and their energy consumption is extremely high. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the total energy consumption of global data centers accounts for about 1% of global electricity consumption, and this proportion is on the rise. It is expected that by 2030, this proportion may increase to 3% to 5%
2. Continuous growth: With the popularization of artificial intelligence applications, the demand for computing power will continue to increase, leading to a continuous increase in electricity demand.
3. High density computing: Artificial intelligence computing tasks typically require high-density computing resources, which means data centers need to install more servers in limited space, increasing power load and cooling requirements.
II. The impact of artificial intelligence computing power on power transformers
1. Load increase:
• Increased power demand: The high energy consumption of artificial intelligence computing power directly leads to an increase in electricity demand, and power transformers need to carry larger power loads. Long term high load operation will accelerate the aging of transformers and reduce their service life.
• Increase in short-circuit current: With the increase of load, the short-circuit current will also increase accordingly, which puts higher requirements on the protection devices of power transformers.
2. Temperature increase:
• Increased heat load: High load operation can cause an increase in the internal temperature of the transformer, and excessively high temperatures can affect the insulation performance of the transformer and increase the risk of faults.
Cooling system pressure: In order to maintain the normal operating temperature of the transformer, the cooling system needs to operate more efficiently, which increases the energy consumption and maintenance costs of the cooling system.
3. Impact on power quality:
Harmonic pollution: A large number of nonlinear loads in data centers and supercomputers can generate harmonics, which can reduce power quality and affect the normal operation of transformers.
Voltage fluctuations: High density computing tasks can cause fluctuations in instantaneous power demand, leading to voltage fluctuations and affecting the stability and reliability of the power system.
4. Maintenance and overhaul:
Regular inspection: High load operation increases the risk of transformer failure and requires more frequent maintenance and repair to ensure its normal operation.
Spare parts reserve: In order to cope with sudden failures, it is necessary to reserve more spare parts, which increases operating costs.
5 high-performance transformers:
Based on the above points, Hengfengyou Electric has specially designed and produced power transformers with larger capacity, lower losses, more stable operation, and maintenance free to meet the increasing demand for computing power in transformers.
III. Response measures
1. Improve energy efficiency:
• High efficiency transformer: High efficiency transformers such as dry-type transformers and oil immersed transformers are used to improve energy efficiency and reduce losses.
Intelligent temperature control system: Install an intelligent temperature control system to monitor the temperature of the transformer in real time, automatically adjust the operation of the cooling system, and ensure that the transformer operates within a safe temperature range.
2. Optimize design:
Modular design: Adopting modular design, flexibly configuring transformer capacity according to actual load requirements, avoiding resource waste caused by excessive configuration.
Redundancy design: Increase redundancy design to improve system reliability and stability, and reduce the risk of a single point of failure.
3. Power quality management:
Harmonic control: Install harmonic filters to reduce harmonic pollution and improve power quality.
Voltage regulator: Install voltage regulator to reduce voltage fluctuations and ensure stable operation of the power system.
4. Intelligent operation and maintenance:
Remote monitoring: Utilizing IoT technology to achieve remote monitoring and fault warning of transformers, timely detection and handling of problems.
Preventive maintenance: By analyzing data, predict the operating status of transformers, implement preventive maintenance, and extend equipment life.
5. Policy support:
Government subsidies: The government can provide financial subsidies and technical support to encourage enterprises to adopt high-performance transformers and intelligent operation and maintenance technologies.
Energy efficiency standards: Develop stricter energy efficiency standards to promote technological progress and energy efficiency improvement in the power transformer industry.
IV. Conclusion
Martin from Hengfengyou Electric believes that the high energy consumption of artificial intelligence computing power has brought various impacts to power transformers, including increased load, temperature rise, decreased power quality, and increased maintenance costs. Power transformer manufacturers can effectively address these challenges and ensure the stable operation and sustainable development of the power system by improving energy efficiency, optimizing design, managing power quality, implementing intelligent operation and maintenance, and providing policy support.
