140 Years of the Transformer - Highlights and Challenges of Designing a 750 kV Power Transformer
As part of the Closed-Core Transformer Patent Memorial Semester of the BME Joint IAS/PES SBC , a technical lecture titled “140 Years of the Transformer – The 750 kV Hungarian Power Transformer: Design Highlights and Engineering Challenges” was delivered by experts from Ganz Transformers and Electric Rotating Machines Ltd. The speakers — Márk Matola, Dr. Gábor Nádor, and Balázs Sztari — provided an in-depth overview of the conception, design, manufacturing, and testing of the company’s newly developed 750 kV, 367 MVA single-phase power transformer, completed in 2024.
The session opened with a brief reflection on the 140-year legacy of the transformer, invented in 1885 by the three Hungarian engineers Ottó Bláthy, Károly Zipernowsky, and Miksa Déri. Their closed-core transformer patent laid the foundation for modern electrical power transmission — a principle that remains unchanged even as voltage and power ratings have reached hundreds of kilovolts and megavolt-amperes.
Márk Matola, Head of Project Engineering and Tendering at Ganz, presented the initial project phase, explaining how the concept was born in response to a specific customer request. He detailed the tendering, contracting, and early design coordination processes, highlighting how technical feasibility and economic considerations must be aligned from the very beginning of such large-scale developments. His presentation offered a broader view of how the project took shape from the first client discussions to the final engineering agreement.
Dr. Gábor Nádor, Head of Research and Development and Innovation Lead at Ganz, provided a technical deep dive into the transformer’s design principles. He introduced the autotransformer configuration used in the 750 kV unit and discussed design choices such as built-in vs. separate voltage regulation, the core geometry, winding structure, and insulation system. He emphasized how modern modeling tools and material technologies enable engineers to meet the demanding requirements of ultra-high-voltage operation.
The lecture concluded with Balázs Sztari, Head of Quality Management at Ganz, who presented the testing and quality assurance process. He explained the complex series of electrical, thermal, and mechanical tests required to certify such a transformer for safe and reliable grid operation, performed in compliance with international standards.
The event highlighted not only the enduring importance of transformers in power transmission but also how Hungarian engineering expertise continues to contribute to cutting-edge energy technology. The 750 kV project stands as a symbol of how tradition and innovation meet in modern electrical engineering.
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- Magyar tudósok körútja 2.
- Budapest, Budapest Fovaros
- Hungary 1117
- Building: Q Building
- Room Number: BF13
- Click here for Map