Claimed to be the world’s first power transformer insulated and cooled using vegetable oil, the device will link the 380kV ultra-high voltage level with the 110kV grid of the subordinate distribution grid operator in the substation, ensuring safe and reliable power supply to households and industry throughout the region.
Produced solely from renewable, plant resources, the insulating oil for the new transformer is completely bio-degradable, and is also much less flammable than mineral oil.
Siemens Energy Transformers business unit CEO Beatrix Natter said the vegetable oil properties are not only beneficial to the environment, but also offer the customer cost advantages over transformers cooled with conventional mineral oil.
"The bio-degradability of the insulating oil means that additional collecting vessels and separation systems are no longer required at the installation location, resulting in cost savings for these items," Natter added.
TransnetBW systems technology head Michael Schäfer said, "The use of this groundwater-neutral and bio-degradable insulating oil, with its high level of environmental compatibility was the decisive factor for us choosing this transformer."
The transformer is also the world’s first transformer at the 420 kV extra-high voltage level for which no water hazard classification must be issued, and hence can be installed and operated in water conservation areas or in zones subject to stringent environmental protection restrictions.
Photo: © Siemens AG.
