MechChem Africa May-June 2022

⎪ PowerGen,PetroChem and Sustainable energy management ⎪

Low-maintenance mini substations for SA’s ageing infrastructure Complicating South Africa’s energy insecurity is the ageing fleet of mini substations up and down the streets of our cities and towns. Equipped with traditional oil-cooled technology, many of these ‘mini subs’ need replacement each year. “When they reach end-of-life,” asks Trafo Power Solutions, “why not replace them with a safer dry-type transformer option that costs less to maintain?”

A s SouthAfrica’smany thousands of oil-cooled mini substations reach the end of their operating lives, there is scope to replace them with a safer and more economical option, ac cording to Trafo Power Solutions managing director David Claassen. “These mini substations are located all along our urban streets, in shopping cen tres and around industrial areas – in close proximity to growing numbers of people,” says Claassen. “As municipalities struggle to maintain these properly, they pose an increasing safety risk and become more expensive to service and repair as they get older.” He points out that oil-cooled transform ers require regular testing and mainte nance, including monitoring and replace ment of oil at regular intervals to ensure effective cooling of the unit. Without this maintenance, the risk of failure or even explosion is increased. “Dry-type transformers do not contain oil, being cooled by air moving over the com ponents,” he says. “This is one of the factors behind the significantly lower maintenance required by dry-type transformers, which of course translates into substantial cost savings over time.”

Trafo Power Solutions supplies miniature substations from 200 kVA to 2 500 kVA – ranging from 3.3 kV to 33 kV on the MV side, and from 400 V to 1 000 V on the LV side.

The absence of oil makes dry-type trans formers considerably safer, he explains, as indicated by these units’ F1 fire rating. This means that they are resistant to flam mability, are flame retardant and generate no harmful emissions. Having no oil as a coolant also makes dry-type transformers less risky to the environment. The risk of oil spilling from an oil-cooled transformer – which can lead to the contamination of land and water –

requires the construction of a bund wall. The dry-type option needs little of this kind of additional infrastructure, and so is more cost-effective to install. “Trafo Power Solutions has worked extensively with developers of high-traffic infrastructure like shopping centres, ensur ing the highest level of safety inmini substa tions located in high-density areas,” he says. “We are well positioned to supply public utilities with the same benefits.” He notes that municipalities’ financial re sources to service andmaintain substations are often severely stretched, so it makes sense for them to seek more economical alternatives. Dry-type transformers are almost maintenance-free, he explains, taking a considerable load off the owner’s maintenance duties. “We custom-design our solutions for dry-type miniature substations to meet customers’ exacting requirements,” says Claassen. “This includes any variation of medium voltage (MV) and low voltage (LV) needs and specific switchgear as well as customised control and protection options.” Trafo Power Solutions suppliesminiature substations from 200 kVA to 2 500 kVA – ranging from 3.3 kV to 33 kV on the MV side, and from 400 V to 1 000 V on the LV side. These substations are rated up to IP65 ingress protection. www.trafo.co.za

A 500 kVA dry-type mini substation being lifted into position at a commercial building site.

May-June 2022 • MechChem Africa ¦ 35