TRANSFLOW · Integrating Circular Economy Principles into Power Transformer Fleets through Sustainable Fluid Retrofilling

Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.

Project objective

The project TRANSFLOW will conduct research on the topic of transformer retrofilling with alternative insulating liquids. This technique involves replacing the mineral oil (MO) in a power transformer in service with a biodegradable and less flammable liquid. According to previous research, this procedure could lead to safer and more environmentally friendly transformers with reduced fire risk, increased loading capacity, and extended lifespan. All these attributes align with the principles of a circular economy, which focuses on using minimal resources for the longest possible time while extracting maximum value from processes. However, the technique has not been adequately studied, and further research is needed to assess the impact of retrofilling on transformer operation and to evaluate the economic and technical feasibility of the method. TRANSFLOW will bring together key partners, establishing an effective and distinctive training network that combines top-tier research training with a group of academic and industrial collaborators, as well as specialized workshops focused on research and knowledge transfer. The project will develop and train a group of young researchers through critical scientific projects that push the retrofilling technique to its limits. It will shape the training delivery for the use of biodegradable and safe dielectric fluids in power substations across Europe by providing loading guidelines to determine the maximum permissible load and manage transformer overloads in retrofilled transformers; developing procedures to estimate the remaining life of a transformer that has undergone retrofilling; and equipping the recruited Early Stage Researchers (ESRs) with the skills to create tools for assessing the safety of retrofilling from thermal or dielectric perspectives, as well as providing threshold values and interpretation frameworks for the key indicators of fluid conditions in retrofilled transformers.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

• UNIVERSIDAD DE CANTABRIA · SANTANDERCoordinatorSpain
• BALIKESIR ELEKTROMEKANIK SANAYI TESISLERI ANONIM SIRKETI · BalikesirTürkiye
• CELSIA COLOMBIA S.A E.S.P · YUMBOColombia
• KOKURITSU DAIGAKU HOJIN KYUSHU KOGYO DAIGAKU · KitakyushuJapan
• NEW YORK UNIVERSITY · NEW YORKUnited States
• RICERCA SUL SISTEMA ENERGETICO - RSE SPA · MILANOItaly
• SEA MARCONI TECHNOLOGIES DI VANDERTUMIATTI SAS · TorinoItaly
• STOEN OPERATOR SPOLKA Z OGRANICZONA ODPOWIEDZIALNOSCIA · WARSZAWAPoland
• THE UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND · BrisbaneAustralia
• UNIVERSIDAD CARLOS III DE MADRID · Getafe (Madrid)Spain
• UNIVERSIDAD DEL VALLE · CaliColombia
• UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO · WaterlooCanada

Links

• View on CORDIS
• DOI: 10.3030/101312834