HD Hyundai Electric said on the 16th it had completed final approval tests for a 400-kilovolt (kV), 460-megavolt-ampere (MVA) transformer using eco-friendly insulating oil, succeeding in producing Korea's largest-capacity transformer of its kind. The super-large transformer will be supplied to a substation operated in the United Kingdom by National Grid.
A transformer using eco-friendly insulating oil is a product that applies synthetic ester insulating oil with excellent natural biodegradability instead of conventional mineral oil. Compared with mineral oil, the insulating oil has a higher flash point, reducing fire risk, and it has relatively less environmental impact in the event of a leak.
However, because the design conditions differ from existing products, manufacturing is more challenging. In particular, the higher the voltage and capacity, the greater the simultaneous burden of heat-generation control and insulation, increasing technical complexity. HD Hyundai Electric said that only a very small number of corporations worldwide can stably produce such products.
According to market research firm Grand View Research, the global eco-friendly transformer market is expected to grow 6.9% annually from about $1.22 billion (about 1.7924 trillion won) in 2024 to about $1.81 billion (about 2.6592 trillion won) in 2030.
An HD Hyundai Electric official said, "High-voltage, high-capacity transformers using eco-friendly insulating oil are technology-intensive products that require both insulation and cooling performance as well as reliability," adding, "We will continue to actively work to expand the eco-friendly power equipment market based on ongoing research and development."