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Shandong Electric Power Equipment Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Shandong Electrical Engineering & Equipment Group, has achieved a landmark technological feat by independently developing the world’s first 320 Mvar / 1100 kV single-column ultra-low noise shunt reactor. During type testing, the product showcased exceptional performance with an ultra-low noise level of 62.6 dB(A) and a maximum vibration amplitude of less than 4μm—setting a new global benchmark for large-capacity, ultra-low noise UHV reactors.
This innovation not only marks a significant leap in the company's independent R&D capabilities but also reaffirms the pivotal role of state-owned enterprises as a “ballast” in China’s strategic power equipment industry.
Ultra-high voltage (UHV) power grids serve as the backbone of new power systems. With its technical sophistication and engineering complexity, UHV construction is often likened to scaling the “Mount Everest” of the electrical industry. In light of the demand for ultra-long-distance, ultra-large-capacity power transmission, coupled with the grid's stringent reliability and stability requirements, there is an urgent need for domestically controlled, eco-friendly, and fully integrated technological solutions.
This calls for power equipment that not only meets functional criteria but also aligns with sustainability goals and technological sovereignty—critical elements in the global energy transition and the realization of carbon neutrality targets.
While UHV technology has enabled transmission efficiencies exceeding 95% over distances of more than 1,000 kilometers, noise and vibration pollution remain persistent obstacles. The electromagnetic force concentration associated with large-capacity reactors has long posed challenges for sustainable development and the implementation of low-carbon strategies.
In response, Shandong Electric Power Equipment Co., Ltd. established a dedicated R&D team to build a “Electromagnetic–Mechanical–Simulation Coordinated Control” system. This initiative integrates eco-design principles throughout the product lifecycle—from concept and design to manufacturing—driving the green transformation of power equipment.
Centered on an electromagnetic force equilibrium design philosophy, the R&D team scientifically reconfigured the winding and magnetic shielding array to create a precision-controlled electromagnetic distribution network. By fine-tuning the magnetic flux density in the iron core, the design significantly improved electromagnetic force uniformity by over 30%.
Leveraging 3D magnetic-mechanical coupling simulations, a multi-level compensation structure was introduced to suppress intrinsic vibrations. This innovation, combined with the structural strengths of a single-column design, established a solid mechanical foundation for stable, long-term operation.
The team pioneered a “rigid–flexible–rigid” structural design to achieve multidimensional vibration suppression. Enhanced core rigidity increases resistance to electromagnetic shocks, while composite damping materials efficiently dissipate operational vibration energy.
A reinforced “copper-wall, iron-shell” oil tank structure further enhances mechanical stability. This hybrid approach ensures the equipment remains structurally robust under intense electromagnetic forces, while effectively absorbing vibration energy—greatly improving operational reliability.
The company established a multidimensional noise reduction framework, targeting the noise source, transmission path, and material properties. Flexible damping techniques reduce vibration-induced noise at the source; composite vibration-suppressing and honeycomb acoustic materials block transmission; and low-magnetostriction ferromagnetic materials minimize noise at the material level.
This comprehensive approach achieves significant noise attenuation, particularly at low frequencies, culminating in a noise level of just 62.6 dB(A)—a new global standard for similar equipment.
Shandong Electric Power Equipment Co., Ltd. implemented a micron-level precision manufacturing system. Critical parameters such as iron core lamination flatness and air gap spacer uniformity are tightly controlled within ultra-narrow tolerances.
By optimizing key forces like core column and yoke clamping pressure, and developing customized assembly tooling, the team enhanced the equipment’s overall rigidity. These engineering refinements, from individual components to the full structure, drastically reduced core vibration and secured long-term operational stability.
As a cornerstone component of UHV transmission systems, the UHV reactor plays a pivotal role in ensuring grid stability. The 320 Mvar ultra-low noise reactor represents a critical advancement in supporting clean energy expansion, smart grid upgrades, and efficient urban energy infrastructure.
Amidst accelerating global energy transitions and the expansion of UHV networks, demand for high-efficiency, low-noise, and intelligent power equipment is projected to rise sharply. This breakthrough not only enhances China’s leadership in the UHV sector but also sets the pace for the next generation of power technology worldwide.
With innovation as its compass and precision as its engine, Shandong Electric Power Equipment Co., Ltd. is charting the course for China’s UHV development. The launch of the 320 Mvar ultra-low noise reactor is more than just a technological milestone—it is a bold declaration of readiness for the energy systems of the future.
