1. The new type of power frequency reactor opens a new chapter for the power grid through type testing.

Recently, a major breakthrough has been achieved in the power grid field — the world's first new type of power frequency reactor has successfully passed type testing. The State Grid Smart Grid Research Institute Co., Ltd. collaborated with relevant units to jointly develop a 50 Hz, 10 kV / 300 kVAR iron core reactor based on new iron-based soft magnetic composite materials, which successfully passed the rigorous type testing by a third party and will soon begin its application journey in the State Grid Jiangsu Electric Power Co., Ltd. and other units.
Traditional silicon steel reactors have long faced the problem of magnetic leakage and vibration due to their inherent air gap structure, leading to additional losses at the core and winding, resulting in local overheating and excessive noise, which has become a technical bottleneck troubling the global power grid industry. Against this backdrop, the new type of power frequency reactor project was born. With the strong support of the State Grid Corporation of China's technology guidance project, the R&D team worked hard to successfully develop high-performance iron-based soft magnetic composite materials with independent intellectual property rights. The resistivity of this material has significantly improved compared to existing materials, and under a DC bias magnetic field, the permeability and attenuation rate have greatly decreased, demonstrating excellent saturation resistance. Relying on this new material, the project team boldly innovated and completely broke through the air gap design technology of iron core reactors based on iron-based soft magnetic composite materials through a new magnetic circuit structure design, carefully developing a new structure of 10 kV, hundred kVAR iron core reactor.
Compared with traditional silicon steel reactors of the same specifications, the advantages of the new type of power frequency reactor are evident. Under operating conditions, noise is reduced by 3 - 5 decibels, and winding temperature rise is reduced by 5 - 8 Kelvin, which not only greatly enhances the reliability of the equipment but also takes an important step in environmental protection, injecting new vitality into the fields of noise reduction and reliable operation of power equipment, and strongly promoting the improvement of China's research capabilities and technical level in the application of soft magnetic composite materials and electrical equipment development. The units participating in this R&D include the State Grid Smart Grid Research Institute Co., Ltd. and Ruide Magnetic Electric, among others. All parties have forged this innovative achievement in the power grid field through deep technical accumulation and close cooperation.
2. The dilemma of traditional silicon steel reactors has spurred the demand for technological innovation.

Traditional silicon steel reactors have long dominated the power grid, but their inherent air gap structure has become the root cause of many problems. The existence of the air gap causes uneven magnetic resistance in the core, leading to distortion of magnetic lines and triggering serious magnetic leakage phenomena. These leaked magnetic lines not only create stray magnetic fields in the space around the reactor, interfering with the normal operation of nearby electrical equipment, but also induce eddy currents in the reactor's own metal components, resulting in additional energy losses.
The vibration problem is equally tricky. Due to the abrupt change in permeability at the air gap, when alternating current passes through, the core is subjected to periodic electromagnetic forces, causing severe vibrations. This vibration accelerates the wear of internal components of the reactor, reducing the equipment's lifespan; on the other hand, the vibration transmitted to the reactor's shell and installation foundation may cause resonance, posing a potential threat to the entire substation's structural integrity.
Additional losses are also a major challenge faced by traditional silicon steel reactors. Eddy current losses generated by magnetic leakage in the core and winding, as well as hysteresis losses, significantly reduce the operational efficiency of the reactor. Local overheating follows, and excessive temperatures not only affect the insulation performance of the reactor, shorten the lifespan of insulation materials, and increase the risk of equipment failure, but may also lead to serious safety incidents such as fires.
Noise pollution has become a focal point of complaints from nearby residents. The vibrations of the core caused by electromagnetic forces, along with the vibrations of the winding under the influence of the magnetic field, jointly produce high-decibel noise. Especially in urban substations or substations near residential areas, the continuous buzzing sound emitted by the reactor severely disrupts residents' daily lives, work, and rest, adversely affecting their physical and mental health.
In the face of these severe problems, the global power industry has been seeking solutions, and the emergence of the new type of power frequency reactor undoubtedly brings hope to break the dilemma of traditional silicon steel reactors, opening a new chapter in power grid technological innovation.
3. The advantages of the new type of power frequency reactor are evident, setting a new benchmark for the industry.

(1) High-performance materials empower and enhance reactor performance.
The new iron-based soft magnetic composite material is like a brilliant technological pearl, injecting strong momentum into the performance leap of power frequency reactors. The resistivity of this material has achieved a qualitative leap compared to traditional materials, significantly reducing eddy current losses at the source. In alternating magnetic field environments, traditional materials are prone to forming strong eddy currents due to their limited resistivity, acting like hidden energy "black holes" that ruthlessly consume electrical energy; whereas the new material, with its high resistivity, builds a solid "dam" against eddy currents, minimizing losses and significantly improving the energy conversion efficiency of the reactor.
Even more impressive is its outstanding stability under DC bias magnetic fields. The permeability and attenuation rate are greatly optimized, and the saturation resistance is exceptional. When the system encounters strong DC bias shocks caused by short circuit faults, traditional core materials instantly saturate, causing a sharp drop in inductance, akin to an out-of-control balance, delivering a devastating blow to reactive power compensation accuracy; the new material, however, remains stable, maintaining inductance constant with excellent saturation resistance, ensuring precise reactive power compensation and safeguarding the stable operation of the power grid.
(2) Innovative magnetic circuit structure tackles the air gap design challenge.
The new magnetic circuit structure design is another "trump card" of the new type of power frequency reactor, successfully solving the global challenge of air gap design. The R&D team, leveraging deep technical accumulation and innovative wisdom, meticulously optimized the magnetic circuit's direction and distribution, allowing magnetic lines to flow uniformly and smoothly through the core, perfectly eliminating the distortion and leakage of magnetic lines caused by air gaps.
Compared with traditional structure reactors, the advantages are clear. Noise control is astonishing; under operating conditions, the noise of the new reactor is reduced by 3 - 5 decibels, significantly weakening the annoying buzzing sound of traditional reactors. The temperature rise of the winding is also effectively curtailed, reduced by 5 - 8 Kelvin, significantly lowering thermal losses and extending equipment lifespan. This not only reduces the frequency and cost of daily maintenance but also lowers the risk of failures caused by overheating, laying a solid foundation for the safe and reliable operation of the power grid.
4. The application prospects are broad, aiding the leap in power development.

The new type of power frequency reactor, with its excellent performance, has a bright application prospect in various aspects of the power grid. In substations, it can significantly reduce noise, improve the surrounding acoustic environment, reduce resident complaints, while lowering equipment operation and maintenance costs, and enhancing the reliability of power grid operation, providing better quality assurance for urban power supply. In the field of new energy power generation access, it precisely adjusts reactive power, stabilizes voltage fluctuations, helps new energy power smoothly enter the grid, and promotes the efficient utilization of clean energy. In industrial distribution networks, it effectively suppresses harmonics, improves power quality, ensures the stable operation of precision industrial production equipment, reduces equipment failure rates, and increases production efficiency.
In the future, with continuous optimization of technology and further reduction of costs, the new type of power frequency reactor is expected to achieve broader applications in the power grid, not only opening new paths for noise reduction and reliable operation of power equipment but also injecting strong momentum into the technological progress and sustainable development of the power industry in China and even globally, promoting power scientific research innovation to reach new heights, and accelerating the realization of the grand blueprint for a green and intelligent power grid.