ENEL Green Power (EGP), a leading renewable power developer, has selected Sustainable Peak Load (SPL) transformers filled with Cargill's FR3® dielectric fluid for their VIDCO Cluster Solar projects in Spain.

The move is part of EGP's commitment to achieving their "net zero" goal of eliminating carbon emissions from their value chain by 2040. EGP was in search of a more sustainable and higher performing transformer to support their ambitious renewable energy projects.

The SPL transformer, filled with a biodegradable ester insulating fluid, offers increased power density and can tolerate higher heat, making it ideal for handling larger solar power plants' load fluctuations. EGP recognized that using a bio-based and biodegradable ester fluid could not only lower their CO2 footprint but also enhance the transformer's performance. After thorough research and evaluation, EGP determined that Cargill's FR3 fluid was the ideal solution.

By utilizing FR3 fluid, EGP successfully designed SPL transformers that are more reliable, sustainable, and cost-competitive compared to conventional alternatives using mineral oil. The use of natural ester fluids has not only reduced the amount of valuable materials required but has also contributed to eliminating CO2 emissions from the supply chain. EGP's partnership with Cargill's FR3 fluid team was instrumental in achieving their sustainability goals and advancing transformer design.

EGP's first project using SPL transformers filled with FR3 fluid was commissioned and energized at the end of 2022 in the VIDCO solar cluster. The success of the project highlights the importance of collaboration between EGP and Cargill in realizing a more sustainable, reliable, and high-performing transformer for the renewable energy industry.

Source: Cargill