Replacing petroleum: Another use for soy oil

Xcel Energy to use soy oil in its transformers

West Central Tribune - 04/18/2008

FARGO, N.D. (AP) - Xcel Energy says it will be the first large utility in the country to switch to soy-based transformers, using oil produced from domestic soybean crops.

The company now uses petroleum-based mineral oil, which is the industry standard and works well, Xcel spokeswoman Bonnie Lund said Thursday.

"We are aiming to minimize our impact on the environment while balancing that against cost and reliable service," Lund said. "We want a clean energy future."

The change will not affect customer bills, Lund said. She wasn't sure how much it would cost the company, but said, "From the information I have, it won't be significant."

All new transformers will use soy oil starting this year. The change will be "little by little" with transformers that must be replaced, Lund said.

More than 50,000 soy-based transformers currently are in use throughout the country, said officials at Cooper Power Systems, which developed the product. That includes more than 70 municipal and rural electric cooperatives.

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