Goal 14 – Life Below Water
“Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.”
The pursuit of this goal will be vital for achieving fuel diversification, conserving natural resources and improving energy security across the world.
In understanding Goal 14, we can see many ways in which we are positive contributors. Here we’ve highlighted just one key example which typifies how our products are accelerating the march towards affordable, clean energy worldwide.
As an alternative transformer insulation fluid to mineral oil, MIDEL is far safer in operation due to a higher fire point, and more environmentally friendly than conventional fluids due to higher levels of biodegradability. Should a MIDEL-filled transformer leak during floods or other extreme events, as a biodegradable fluid, MIDEL will not pose a toxic issue if it runs into water courses.
MIDEL helps to protect life underwater which would otherwise be exposed to hydrocarbon-based coolants such as mineral oil.
The city of Berlin presents very specific challenges for transformer installations since much of the city is zoned as water protection areas. In these areas it is necessary to take special precautions regarding spillages of hazardous materials including mineral oil.
The utility operating the city’s electrical distribution network, Vattenfall, started a pilot project in 1992 to assess the viability of retrofilling its existing mineral oil transformers with MIDEL 7131 to greatly reduce the potential environmental impact.
The proven success of the initiative prompted Vattenfall to carry out 350 retrofills and order new transformers filled with MIDEL ester fluid.
Today there are now over 4,000 MIDEL ester transformers on Berlin’s network, securing the waterways from transformer mineral oil spillage.
