Greener Transformers? Unpad Researcher Says Yes!
Contributing to the development of eco-friendly power systems, a researcher from Universitas Padjadjaran took the lead in a collaborative study titled “Dissolved Gas Analysis of Methyl Ester-Mineral Oil Mixture Under Partial Discharge.” The study explores how methyl ester, a biodegradable alternative to traditional transformer oil, performs when mixed with small amounts of residual mineral oil, simulating real-life transformer retrofilling conditions. By analyzing the mixture under partial discharge (PD) stress, the team aimed to ensure that standard diagnostic techniques still apply.
Through high-voltage experiments and gas chromatography analysis, the researchers observed that while residual mineral oil slightly increases gas production, it does not compromise diagnostic accuracy. Key Gas and Duval Triangle methods successfully detected PD faults across all mixtures—even with up to 10% mineral oil content, matching typical residual levels (4–7%) found after standard oil evacuation. The study also found that hydrogen dominated the gas profile (~85%), reinforcing the relevance of traditional analysis methods even in eco-friendly oil systems.
This research supports Sustainable Development Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy, by validating the use of biodegradable insulating oils in high-voltage equipment without sacrificing reliability. It confirms that methyl ester can be safely adopted in transformer retrofilling—enabling a shift to cleaner, more sustainable energy infrastructure. With innovations like this, Unpad continues to contribute meaningfully to a future of accessible, reliable, and environmentally responsible electricity systems.
Link: https://www.temjournal.com/content/141/TEMJournalFebruary2025_55_63.pdf
#UnpadResearch #GreenEnergy #SDG7
03/TE/2025
