Feasibility of Environmentally friendly natural ester free breathing 11kV 1MVA transformers

Abstract:

This document is a summary for the project titled 'Feasibility of Environmentally friendly natural ester free breathing 11kV 1MVA transformers'.

Transformers transfer electrical energy between two circuits and they are mainly used to change alternating current of one voltage to another voltage. They are essential for high voltage power transmission, which makes long distance transmission economically viable, and are also found in nearly all electronic devices.

This project investigated the performance of a natural ester as both an insulator and coolant medium by testing it in a transformer under load at an operational site. Laboratory based accelerated ageing was also used in order to simulate the effects of the oil being used for a significant period of time as it would be in a distribution transformer.

This project was carried out in collaboration with Electricity North West (ENW) who provided additional funding and also accommodate the ester filled distribution transformer. The experience gained from this project will help ENW to become the first utility company to possess knowledge of how the commercially available environmentally friendly transformer fluids may behave under real loading and operating conditions. M&I material, a local company based at Trafford park, manufactured the natural esters used for this project and would stand to benefit if it's found they are suitable for use in distribution transformers.

Publication Year:

2009

Publisher:

Joule Centre

DOI:

No DOI minted

Author(s):

Wang, Z.