C-Crete Technologies receives $ 1.5 million from ARPA-E to develop new insulation systems for energy infrastructure


Transformers, which are essential parts of the US national grid system, raise or lower voltages for efficient transmission of electricity. Their main cause of failure is overheating, which becomes more likely over time due to the breakdown of mineral oil which dissipates heat and insulates the windings and metal cores in transformers. C-Crete Technologies will integrate a series of advanced surface chemistry, colloidal engineering, high throughput characterizations and pilot demonstrations to develop new insulating nanofluids with an expected lifespan of 80 years.

“Current statistics show that the typical lifespan of transformers that fail due to insulation problems is less than half of the expected lifespan of 40 years, and 75% of the collapse of high-voltage transformers. is due to dielectric insulation problems ”, explains Dr. Rouzbeh Shahsavari, founder and president of C-Crete Technologies.

“This existing problem, as well as the development of more demanding power transmission-distribution systems for the high voltage grids and smart grids of the future require high performance heat dissipation fluids with dielectric strength, thermal conductivity and performance. aging, ”explains Shahsavari.

The aging of the more than 2,500 LPTs submerged in oil in the United States is a growing concern for utilities. Not only do they cost millions of dollars, LPTs have a lead time of a year or more.

“Generally adapted to customer specifications, LPTs are not easily interchangeable and their high costs prevent large spare parts stocks,” explains Negar Rajabi, C-Crete Technologies’ tech-to-market leader. “In addition, many of them are approaching or exceeding their expected lifespan. Thus, utilities have resorted to life-extending practices to maintain the existing transformer fleet. This requires the adoption of new insulation technologies by industry.

VS-Crete nanofluid technology has applications in other diverse markets such as automotive, lubrication, nuclear cooling, thermal energy storage and microelectronics. “We can explore other coolant applications where water, ethylene glycol and motor oils have not been successful,” Shahsavari said.

C-Crete Technologies works at the intersection of materials science, nanotechnology, multiscale computations, predictive analytics, software, hardware and manufacturing to drive the next generation of innovations for a low carbon and energy efficient world. http://www.ccretetech.com

Media contact:
Negar Rajabi
[email protected]

SOURCE C-Crete Technologies

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