Dr. S. V. Kulkarni of IIT Powai

This talk covers broad rules and guidelines for the design of transformers. In addition to describing important design principles and operational aspects, intricate considerations while choosing materials and types of magnetic circuits and windings are elaborated. Conflicting requirements while choosing various design parameters are enumerated. Advanced numerical tools like the Finite Element Method need to be routinely used these days for estimating performance parameters accurately and for reliability enhancement. Insulation design and optimization can be tricky and the issues thereof are highlighted. Ensuring adequate short-circuit strength is an important design aspect that requires the deployment of complementary manufacturing practices. Power and distribution systems are increasingly becoming complex, and transformers need to be designed accordingly. The talk will end by enumerating challenges in transformer engineering, which include the requirements to make transformers green and efficient in emerging smart grids with increasing penetration of renewable energy sources.

Biography:

Dr. S. V. Kulkarni is an Institute Chair Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering at IIT Mumbai. He was the INAE (Indian National Academy of Engineering) Chair Professor in the Department for two years (April 2018 - March 2020). He is a Fellow of IEEE and INAE. He is also an IEEE PES Distinguished Lecturer. He was Editor of IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery and IEEE Power Engineering Letters (2012-2019). He worked at Crompton Greaves Limited (1990-2001) and specialized in the design and development of transformers up to 400 kV class. He was a recipient of the Young Engineer Award conferred by INAE in 2000 for his contributions to ‘Electromagnetic Field Computations and High Voltage Insulation Design in Transformers’. He was also honoured with the Career Award for Young Teachers from All India Council for Technical Education in 2001. He received Best Paper Awards in international conferences on transformers held in 2002 and 2006.

He has authored a book Transformer Engineering: Design, Technology, and Diagnostics, Second Edition, published by CRC Press in September 2012 and he received IIT Bombay Research Dissemination Award 2016 for the book. He has adapted an undergraduate text book on electromagnetics for Asia, Principles of Electromagnetics, Oxford University Press, published in October 2015. He delivered NPTEL MOOC Course on ‘Electrical Equipment and Machines: Finite Element Analysis’ in 2020. He has also developed Virtual Electromagnetics Laboratory to effectively teach involved concepts using real-life practical examples and corresponding field visualizations, which has attracted more than 31,500 visitors till now.

His extensive interactions with transformer and power industries are reflected in his numerous consultancy projects and training programs for them. He has more than 200 publications to his credit in reputed journals and conferences, and has four Indian and two US patents to his credit. His current areas of research include Analysis and Diagnostics of Transformers, Electromagnetic and Coupled Field Computations, Smart Grids and Energy Storage, and Insulation Diagnostics.

For more details see: http://www.ee.iitb.ac.in/wiki/faculty:svk

Email:

Address:Main Gate Rd, IIT Area, , Powai, , Mumbai, Maharashtra , India, 400076