Renewable transformer oil reduces energy loss

– Our transformer oil creates new opportunities to reduce energy loss in the electrical grids, thanks to better cooling properties compared to traditional oils, says Avantherm’s CEO, Stefan Dufva.

Avantherms transformer oil has considerably lower viscosity than traditional transformer oils, meaning it is a thinner oil, giving it better cooling properties, which is the key to reducing energy losses in transformers. The losses in the Swedish grid equate to one nuclear reactor, and in the EU the figure reaches around 100 TWh per year.

The renewable oil can be used in existing transformers. But the excellent properties of the oil also enable development of smaller transformers with less materials and a smaller footprint. Avantherm’s transformer oil is non-toxic and biologically degradable, which decreases environmental impact and provides a safer work environment.

– In my working life, I have been part of efforts to develop several transformer oils. Avantherm’s oil is superior performance-wise to all oils I have been in contact with, and the fact that it is also fossil-free, makes it unique, says Per Wiklund, Chief Technology Officer at Avantherm and chairman of the Swedish committee for standardisation of transformer oils.

Since 2010 Avantherm has developed and tested renewable products that can replace and outperform fossil-based oils and chemicals. Avantherm’s heat transfer fluids became commercially available on the world market in April 2016. Renewable release fluids will be launched shortly, and hydraulic oils are currently in development.