Teresita Jimenez
Karen De Leon
Jorge Jair Luna Cervantes
JOSE LUIS MARTINEZ
Julio González
EGADE Business School Tecnologico de Monterrey
Consuelo Garcia-de-la-torre
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The innovation consists of a dielectric fluid called VG-100®, developed in 2009; this dielectric fluid is made from natural esters of edible seeds. These seeds are made by a process that GE patented, and therefore they can be used safely in electrical transformers. The advantage of this natural dielectric fluid is that it is an exciting alternative to existing dielectric fluids. It is mainly because of its environmentally-friendly purposes, as it is 100% natural and completely biodegradable.
The dielectric fluid VG-100®, its an environmentally friendly oil. The idea was born from listening to customers' needs, and it also has other important characteristics that position it as an important alternative for other dielectric fluids today in the market.
VG-100® is certified by different international standards such as ASTM, IEEE, FM, and UL. These international standards provide the special certifications for this dielectric fluid to be used safely in transformer operations; some of the characteristics are the following:
These characteristics had a positive impact on the SDG, such as Goal #9, #12, #14 & #15
VG-100® Fluid Innovation for energy and the environment
Prolec GE is a very large company that has made it part of its philosophy to develop eco-friendly products and become an environmentally responsible company. That is why they were very focused and very determined to develop this type of dielectric fluid that could benefit both the company and the environment.
Therefore they put all their effort into building this patented fluid that was natural and biodegradable, non-toxic, free of toxic compounds, and that did not pollute water or the environment. It also provides important benefits for the company, such as safer processes in the electrical transformers, fewer fires due to the cooling and insulation characteristics, self-extinguishing properties, and a better corporate image.
The main effects of the innovation the team identified are listed below:
• Impact for fire protection which leads to a safer operation of the transformers
• Impact for the environment as it is 100 % natural and biodegradable
• Impact for the end-user as it increases the lifetime of the transformer.
As evidence of the positive impact for the VG-100, we can list the certifications obtained by ASTM, IEEE, FM, and UL.
Another impact we can mention is the positive image of Prolec GE as a company that wants to be a contributor to achieve the ODS/SDGs while keeping their business for the long term.
This initial innovation has opened a new opportunity for the company to collaborate with other companies to improve their products and reduce the negative impact on the environment.
As mentioned, this innovation benefits the business very much in the operation of the electrical transformers itself; it reduces the risks of having an unsafe or a flammable operation and transforms it into a safer, natural process. Certifications provide an increased corporate image for the business, such as environmentally-friendly characteristics.
Making processes that do not impact the environment has become a very strong philosophy for Prolec GE; reducing its climate impact has become a particular goal.
As they could make this patented natural dielectric fluid, that could be 100% natural and biodegradable. That could also positively impact business operations was an exciting and productive goal for Prolec GE.
The main impact for society and the environment is that the dielectric fluid is non-toxic and has does not contaminate while still making the business process efficient.
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Pedro Puente, Technology & Innovation Development Director
Pedro Puente, Technology & Innovation Development Director
Porlec GE is a company that was born because of a joint venture between Xignux (a food company) and GE (General Electric), which happened in 1995. The company is located in Mexico, and its main functions are the design, manufacture, and distribution of products related to electrical energy.
Everything started in 1969 when Prolec bought a transformer plant in Mexico City and then built a new plant in Nuevo Leon, and that is how the company began expanding. By the end of 2019, Prolec expanded its joint venture with the acquisition of 2 new plants, one in Louisiana, United States, and one in Rio Grande, Brazil.