Ester Fluid Transformer Re-Design

Completed

Other Power and Storage Technologies(Electricity transmission and distribution)

Applied Research and Development

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Electrical and Electronic Engineering)

Not Cross-cutting

Project Contact
Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution plc (SHEPD)

Network Innovation Allowance

Ofgem

01 December 2015

01 January 2017

13 months

£115,000

Power

Scotland

Network Innovation Allowance

Project Contact, Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution plc (SHEPD)

Project Contact, Southern Electric Power Distribution plc (SEPD)

Phase 1 Objectives The project will determine if the re-design of transformers to higher temperature limits and use of ester-based fluids can reduce the manufacturing and installation costs of transformers The project will determine if the new design limits are compliant with current Eco-design standards Phase 2 Objectives The project will prove the new design in a live environment If successful the new design will be rolled out as business as usual Phase 1 will seek to investigate the cost and operational implications of re-design and use of transformers built to IEC 60076-14 limits for use of ester-based fluids as an insulating medium. Phase 2 will seek to investigate any detrimental effects on transformer performance over a 3 year monitoring period. The success of the project will be to understand the implications of transformer re-design to allow for running at higher temperature limits.

Use of mineral insulating oil, as used in existing transformers, has potential disadvantages in terms of environmental compatibility, fire safety and sustainability. The solution to this issue has traditionally been the use of ester-based fluids such as Midel 7131. Although these products are seen to provide environmental and safety benefits they are also significantly more expensive than traditional mineral oil thus negating large scale use. Power transformers are designed to IEC 60076-2 which limits winding temperatures to 140°C to stay safely below the ignition temperature of mineral oil. These design parameters are currently used for both mineral oil and ester-based fluid filled transformers. This project seek to investigate the potential of designing power transformers for use at distribution level to IEC 60076-14 limits which will allow higher operational temperatures for fluids with higher ignition points.Note : Project Documents may be available via the ENA Smarter Networks Portal using the Website link above

14/08/18