On July 23, 2024, Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, Bangkok.
Dr. Boonyawan Yoosuk, head of the Clean Fuel Technology and Advanced Chemistry Research Team, National Energy Technology Center (ENTEC), received the “PMUC Country First Award,” Thailand’s first award for research that transforms the country on behalf of the research team. The award was presented at the “MHESI Fair: SCI POWER FOR FUTURE THAILAND” event, which promotes the use of advanced science, research and innovation to sustainably enhance Thailand’s economy through interdisciplinary cooperation. Ms. Suchada Thaensap, Secretary to the Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation (MHESI), presented the award for the research work titled “EnPAT: Safe Transformer Oil from Thai Palm Oil.” The “PMUC Country First Award” is granted to research funded by PUMC that represents pioneering research work with a significant impact on the country’s economic development.
On this occasion, Professor Dr. Sukit Limpijumnong, President of NSTDA, Dr. Sumittra Charojrochkul, Executive Director of ENTEC, NSTDA, Dr. Lily Eurwilaichitr, Assistant Executive Director, and Dr. Nuwong Chollacoop, Director of the Low Carbon Energy Research Group, along with the research team, joined in congratulating the award recipients.
The research project “EnPAT: Safe Transformer Oil from Thai Palm Oil” involves developing Thai palm oil into transformer oil with a flash point higher than 300 degrees Celsius. This can prevent transformer explosions, ensuring maximum safety for the public. EnPAT stands out for its biodegradability and environmentally friendliness. Moreover, it can be used as a raw material for biodiesel production when it reaches the end of its use in transformers, without incurring disposal costs. This aligns with Thailand’s policy to drive towards Carbon Neutrality by 2050 and Net Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 2065.
Currently, the research team has successfully installed the first transformer filled with “EnPAT” transformer oil, to pilot its actual usage. This installation took place on March 21, 2024, in Samet Subdistrict, Mueang Chonburi District, Chonburi Province, under the supervision of the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) of Bang Saen. The installed transformer is a 3-phase, 160 kVA, 22 kV, which has passed performance tests according to the PEA’s requirements. The results of this pilot implementation will be used as supporting data for the development of the country’s first Thai Industrial Standard (TIS) for bio-based transformer oil. With strong cooperation from the Provincial Electricity Authority, there are plans to expand the use of “EnPAT” transformer oil in the country’s power distribution system in the near future. The goal is to install and operate additional transformers filled with “EnPAT” transformer oil across the country.
