Fire Risk Simply Is Not Negotiable | Alex Gilliver, HF Sinclair

Fire risk simply is not negotiable — and what’s inside your transformer can mean the difference between a contained incident and a catastrophic fire. Especially in hospitals, urban centers, and environmentally sensitive areas, the fluid you choose matters.

At the 2026 IEEE PES T&D Show in Chicago, APC Media’s Alan Ross sat down with Alex Gilliver, National Account Manager for Petro-Canada Lubricants, to explore how synthetic ester transformer fluids are reshaping fire safety, cold-weather performance, and environmental protection across the grid.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• The 300°C+ fire point that dramatically reduces ignition risk during fault conditions — nearly double that of conventional mineral oil
• Self-extinguishing characteristics that limit fire propagation in indoor transformers, hospitals, transit systems, and dense urban installations
• Arctic-grade cold performance with a pour point as low as –50°C for reliable oil circulation and dependable startup in winter conditions
• Readily biodegradable formulation that breaks down fast in soil and water — significantly reducing long-term environmental risk from leaks or spills
• IEC 61099 compliance and what it means for regulatory-intense regions and organizations with strong sustainability commitments

Host: Alan Ross, APC Media
Guest: Alex Gilliver, National Account Manager – Petro-Canada Lubricants (HF Sinclair)
Filmed at: 2026 IEEE PES T&D Show, Chicago