The Ecodesign Regulation, adopted by the European Commission (EC), will ensure that the transmission and distribution of electricity will become progressively more efficient as new power transformers are put into service. Minimum energy efficiency requirements will be in place from 1 July 2015.

High efficiency transformers are a mature technology with their economic and environmental benefits clearly demonstrated

The European Copper Institute (ECI) has been pioneering transformer efficiency in Europe since 1998 and has been accepted as a stakeholder in the Consultation Forum of the EU Ecodesign regulatory process in 2011. According to the EC, “the resulting energy savings have been estimated at 16TWh per year from 2020 onwards, which corresponds to 3.7 Mt of avoided CO2 emissions. This is equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of Denmark: 32 TWh per year. Although power transformers are generally very efficient devices, cost-effective marginal improvements in their efficiency can yield substantial energy savings, taking into account their typical service life of 30 years or more. Given that the number of installed transformers in Europe in 2011 has been estimated at 3.6 million, a figure that is expected to increase to almost 4.7 million in 2025, the impact of today`s decision will be considerable”.

ECI was the driving force behind PROPHET (Promotion Partnership for High Efficiency Transformers), a global platform with 50 partners dedicated to identifying the savings potential of energy efficient transformers and advocating solutions to realise these. From 2007 to 2009, ECI also strongly supported the SEEDT initiative (Strategies for development and diffusion of Energy Efficient Distribution Transformers) financed under the Intelligent Energy Europe program.

According to the ECI managed Leonardo ENERGY platform "High efficiency transformers are a mature technology with their economic and environmental benefits clearly demonstrated. While their higher, initial cost can be more than recovered by reduced running costs, many distribution transformers are still chosen on the basis of purchase price because network operators lack sufficient incentives to make sound, long term decisions based on Total Cost of Ownership principles".

Therefore, ECI strongly supports the adoption of the new regulation as an important step in helping the EU achieve its 2020 energy efficiency target. Moreover, ECI estimates that the worldwide electricity savings potential, from switching to high efficiency transformers, is 200 TWh/yr, with a resulting reduction in CO2eq emissions of 130 million t/yr.

About the European Copper Institute:
ECI, founded in 1996, represents the copper industry in Europe. ECI is also part of the Copper AllianceTM, an international network of trade associations funded by the copper industry, whose common mission is to defend and grow markets for copper, based on its superior technical performance and contributions to a higher quality of life. Read more about us on www.copperalliance.eu

About Leonardo ENERGY:
The Leonardo Energy initiative (LE) unites professionals from all over the world dedicated to electrical power and sustainable energy. It is managed by the European Copper Institute, in close cooperation with various other partners. LE was established from growing understanding that copper is essential in achieving sustainability. Its high electrical conductivity is a favourable attribute for the construction of renewable energy systems and the manufacturing of energy efficient motors, transformers, and cables. The principal aim of LE is to accelerate the transition to a sustainable energy economy.
LE provides free education, training, and the comprehensive exchange of expertise. It is also active in various standardization committees and provides regulatory advice. For more information: www.leonardo-energy.org