20 November 2008 - One of the first purpose built 132 kV 90 MVA vegetable oil filled transformer designed, manufactured and tested by AREVA T&D, world leader in the transmission and distribution of energy, has been officially switched on by EDF's Energy Networks.
This cutting edge development for the electricity industry will enable EDF Energy Networks to continue meeting the needs of its customers in the East of England, whilst reducing its impact on the environment.
Filled with Envirotemp FR3 vegetable oil, an innovative insulation fluid manufactured by Cooper Power Systems, the unit has been purpose built in AREVA T&D's Power Transformers factory in Stafford as part of EDF Energy Networks' programme to reinforce the electricity network.
The fluid is made from edible soya beans and is fully biodegradable and has stronger fire-resistance. All of these properties help to achieve higher levels of safety, together with major environmental improvements compared to the use of mineral oil.
The project required AREVA T&D to manufacture two transformers to the same specification with the only difference being that one is filled with FR3™ fluid while the other contains traditional mineral oil. Utilising its MS 2000 comprehensive online monitoring system, AREVA T&D will continue to work with EDF Energy Networks to monitor the performance of each of the transformers.
This will provide EDF Energy Networks with a better understanding of the characteristics of such transformers in various load/environmental conditions in order to optimise its assets. By monitoring the performance of both transformers, AREVA T&D will also be able to further improve the design, overload capacities and increase the lifetime of its vegetable oil transformers currently on offer.