# Electrical loss reduction

Cutting and reusing losses in electrical equipment.

Source page: https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_electrical_recovery/

Recovery and reuse · Shared heat and everyday recovery · No. 139

- Recovery and reuse
- Waste energy: Electrical losses
 Recovery and reuse · Shared heat and everyday recovery · Foundation · Energy

A transformer that is 99% efficient still wastes about 24 MWh a year just by being switched on.

Chart: Illustration: Electrical loss reduction

##### Where it comes from

Chart: Map of where it comes from

Every transformer, cable and motor turns a sliver of electricity into heat. Motor systems used 53% of the world's electricity in 2023, about 13,462 TWh, so small percentages add up.

##### Three things to know

1. Transformer oil leaves at only about 33-43 C, so a heat pump is needed to feed a 75 C heat network.
2. Under kVAh billing, a plant at power factor 0.75 pays for about 20% more energy than at 0.90.
3. UK study: transformer heat cut operating emissions about 79.5% against gas boilers and 13.3% against air-source heat pumps.

##### The journey

1. 1 **Grid power**Flows through transformers, cables and motors
2. 2 **Losses**Resistance, magnetic and reactive current heating
3. 3 **Avoid**Low-loss transformers, power factor correction, filters
4. 4 **Recover**Heat pumps reuse warm transformer oil
5. 5 **Regenerate**Bidirectional drives return braking energy

##### Go deeper pick a tab to open it in full

## Other sections

- [Overview](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_electrical_recovery/overview/index.md)
- [Correlation](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_electrical_recovery/correlation/index.md)
- [Science and thermodynamics](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_electrical_recovery/rc-sci/index.md)
- [Engineering and integration](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_electrical_recovery/rc-eng/index.md)
- [Economics and contracts](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_electrical_recovery/rc-econ/index.md)
- [Impact and additionality](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_electrical_recovery/rc-impact/index.md)
- [What to track](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_electrical_recovery/tracking/index.md)
- [Relationships](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_electrical_recovery/links/index.md)