HV insulator coating helps wind power flow

subscribe

As energy costs rise and environmental awareness grows, an alternative energy company is using a silicone-based coating from Dow Corning to help keep power flowing in the Philippines.

NorthWind Power Development Corporation uses Sylgard High Voltage Insulator Coating (HVIC) from Dow Corning in transmission line insulators to more effectively deliver its wind energy to more than 500,000 people. By switching to Sylgard HVIC, NorthWind significantly reduced down-time and maintenance costs associated with frequent flashovers, which increased cost effectiveness and customer satisfaction.

“After listening to NorthWind’s concerns and studying environmental conditions, we suggested coating the insulators with Sylgard HVIC to eliminate the flashovers and costs related to repair and maintenance,” said Kristen Scheibert-Mizell, Dow Corning’s Power and Utility market leader. “Our experts provided technical advice and training on the proper application of the coating, and recommended periodic inspections to ensure continued performance.”

Dow Corning recommended the product to NorthWind because of its hydrophobicity, reliability and ease of installation. Sylgard HVIC is an RTV (Room Temperature Vulcanizing) silicone elastomer that cures to an elastic rubber coating on the insulator surface.

Prior to using Sylgard HVIC, NorthWind was plagued by frequent flashovers in its transmission lines that disrupted service to customers and increased maintenance costs. Closer investigation revealed that porcelain insulators within the lines malfunctioned when exposed to automotive exhaust, pollutants from neighboring factories and the salty sea breeze.

“Forty percent of the area’s electricity is generated from the NorthWind wind farm in Bangui Bay, making reliable energy distribution critical,” said Niels Jacobsen, NorthWind Power Development Corporation President and CEO. “We chose Sylgard HVIC from Dow Corning because of its proven performance over the past 25 years.”

Since Sylgard HVIC was installed in July 2006, transmission lines have operated without incident. The product should continue to perform for years to come without recoating, unlike other materials that require a new application every 18 to 36 months.

Related News

ottawa power lines

Lack of energy: Ottawa’s electricity consumption drops 10 per cent during pandemic

OTTAWA - Ottawa residents may be spending more time at home, but the city’s energy use has dropped during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hydro Ottawa says there was a 10-to-11 per cent drop in electricity consumption in April, with the biggest decline in electricity usage happening early in the morning.

Statistics provided to CTV News Ottawa show average hourly energy consumption in the City of Ottawa dropped 11 per cent during weekdays, and a 10 per cent decline in electricity consumption on weekends.

The drop in energy consumption came as many businesses in Ottawa closed their doors due to the COVID-19 measures and physical…

READ MORE
electric vehicle

Why subsidies for electric cars are a bad idea for Canada

READ MORE

power outage sign

Power outage update: 252,596 remain without electricity Wednesday

READ MORE

ev building charging

How vehicle-to-building charging can save costs, reduce GHGs and help balance the grid: study

READ MORE

France nuclear power stations to limit energy output due to high river temps

READ MORE