Enhancing Power System for the Era of Energy Transition with Natural Ester Transformers

As pressure to source renewable energy continues to intensify due to the urgent need to curb carbon emission and global warming, utilities and independent power producers are facing multiple challenges to effectively harness energy from variable and diffuse natural sources such as wind and solar and integrate them seamlessly to the main grid of electricity supply. While natural ester insulating fluid has long been associated to its benefits in mitigating fire and environmental risks of transformers, this paper discusses how the use of such fluid would also present an effective way to enhance the resilience of the power grid against the impact of renewable energy. With relevant case studies to demonstrate the feasibility to reduce capital investment and maintenance needs while improving operating efficiency and system reliability, the adoption of natural ester fluid will be shown as a key enabler in enhancing the viability of the universal quest for the transition to clean energy.