Importance

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Abstract

The present invention provides an apparatus (100) and method for cooling and recovering heat energy from power cables and/or transformers. The apparatus (100) comprises a first conduit (102) in thermal contact with at least one electrical power cable (104) and/or at least one transformer, a heat transfer device (106) coupled to the first conduit (102), fluid circulating means (112) and a heating circuit (114) coupled to the heat transfer device (106) for interfacing with an external heating system (126), such as those typically installed in domestic or commercial premises (128). When in use, the circulating means (112) is operable to circulate a fluid through the first conduit (102) to thereby enable the heat transfer device (106) to recover at least a portion of the heat energy of the cable (104) and/or transformer from the heated fluid for subsequent reuse by an external heating system (126) via the heating circuit (114). The apparatus and method are found to be particularly suited for the recovery and reuse of wasted heat from subterranean high-tension power cables and above surface substation transformers, while cooling the equipment to improve operational performance and lifetime.

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First Claim