Nynas circular oil used in transformer at Hitachi Energy factory
A power transformer at Hitachi Energy’s factory in Córdoba has been retrofilled with Nynas’ NYTRO® RR 900X, a fully re-refined transformer oil produced from used insulating oils.
Image for illustrative purposes
Spain, Córdoba: A power transformer at Hitachi Energy’s factory in Córdoba has been retrofilled with Nynas’ NYTRO® RR 900X, a fully re-refined transformer oil produced from used insulating oils. The oil was applied in a 117 MVA shell-type test transformer used for voltage regulation in a high voltage testing laboratory.
According to the companies involved, electrical and thermal tests were completed after the retrofill and confirmed that the transformer’s performance remained unchanged compared to operation with new mineral oil.
NYTRO RR 900X is produced by re-refining used transformer oils through large-scale hydrotreating processes similar to those used in virgin oil production. The oil is manufactured in the same type of refinery and complies with IEC 60296:2020 standards for mineral insulating oils. It contains more than 99% recycled content and includes a synthetic inhibitor. The feedstock is collected from decommissioned or end-of-life transformers and processed through catalytic hydrogenation. The oil is then kept segregated during logistics to maintain traceability and quality.
“Reusing end-of-life transformer oil can be a powerful driver for advancing circularity and decarbonization across the transformer value chain. Adopting NYTRO RR 900X is a key step in our commitment to circularity and decarbonisation, demonstrating that innovation-driven sustainability and operational excellence truly go hand in hand,” said Rafael Llamuza, Global Product Manager for Large Power Transformers and Shell Transformers at Hitachi Energy.
“NYTRO RR 900X matches the technical performance of virgin super-grade oils in key areas such as oxidation stability, material compatibility, and ageing behavior. At the same time, it offers a reduction in carbon intensity of oil production. As a drop-in solution, it requires no design modifications to transformers,” said Simon Day, VP Sales & Marketing at Nynas.
According to life cycle assessments cited by the companies, using the oil can reduce the cradle-to-gate global warming potential of transformers by up to 8%.
Source: Nynas
