Electrical transformers are used throughout the University estate to change the voltage of electrical supplies to make them either appropriate for long distance transmission or for powering equipment. Electrical transformers are never completely efficient in the way they change electrical voltages and as a result, this project funded an investigation into the associated losses, which were identified by switching off transformers that were surplus to requirements during periods of low demand. A number of transformers were switched off before the 2014 Christmas break, which successfully reduced losses and prompted the Electrical Operations Team to look into the potential savings of switching off surplus transformers automatically.
This project resulted in a saving of 31,000kWh, £3,000 and 15 tonnes/CO2.