Rating System

LEED BD+C: New Construction, LEED BD+C: New Construction, LEED BD+C: New Construction, LEED BD+C: New Construction, LEED BD+C: Schools, LEED BD+C: Schools, LEED BD+C: Core and Shell, LEED BD+C: Core and Shell

Rating System Version

v2 - LEED 2.0, v2 - LEED 2.2, v2 - LEED 2.2, v3 - LEED 2009, v2 - Schools 2007, v3 - LEED 2009, v2 - LEED 2.0, v3 - LEED 2009

Inquiry

TITLE: Environmentally-friendly, non-hazardous transformer oil INTENT: Eliminate the use of commonly used hazardous materials REQUIREMENTS: Replace hazardous, non-renewable transformer oils with a safe, environmentally friendly substitute. SUBMITTALS: Provide a LEED Letter Template, signed by the electrical engineer or responsible party, listing the product substituted for the commonly used hazardous substance. Provide product literature showing the material is non-hazardous, and environmentally friendly. DESIGN APPROACH: The project is installing a new transformer able to use an environmentally friendly, non-hazardous transformer oil. The specified equipment is a 2000 kVA, exterior, fluid cooled utility transformer. This transformer steps down the 22.9 kV campus distribution voltage to 460/277 volts for utilization within the building. The specified and installed transformer contains 640 gallons of Envirotemp FR3 oil. Envirotemp FR3 oil is derived from 100% edible seed oils and food grade additives. This product meets the U.S. EPA criteria for "Ultimate Biodegradability" classification. Additional testing for acute aquatic toxicity and oral LD50 tests have proven the non-toxic qualities of this fluid. This oil is also exempt from the Federal Regulation of Used Oils. For most power system installations, the serving utility company provides and installs the electrical service transformer. At the University of Florida, the campus power distribution is owned and maintained by the University. As a consequence, each construction project purchases and installs the exterior utility transformer and makes the connections to the campus power distribution network. Until recently, the only choice for the transformer insulating and cooling fluid was petroleum-based products such as mineral oil. At this project, the LEED team and Owner took advantage of the new, plant based oils, now available to be specified in the utility transformer purchased and installed for this project.