Powerformers: A breakthrough of high-voltage power generators

This article deals with the powerformer, a new generator that can be directly connected to the transmission network without the need for a step-up transformer. Due to the powerformer's ability to generate electricity at transmission voltage levels, it offers considerable gains with respect to reactive power production and plant efficiency. Hence, a powerformer both facilitates network stability and decreases the exploitation of natural resources. The upper limit for the output voltage from the powerformer is set by state-of-the-art XLPE power-cable technology. Therefore, powerformers revolutionize the age of old power generation technology and signal a quantum leap in electrical engineering.