Introduction: This project developed a range of innovative, sustainable, low power localised air conditioning that can be applied to sensitive pieces of equipment, in this instance, Remote Terminal Unit (RTU) batteries in distribution substations. These batteries form the power source for automatic remote control equipment in the network and are subject to thermal degradation which leads to customer interruptions / customer minutes lost on the network.

The successful implementation of the concept in RTUs has led to the introduction of the concept for other applications such as:

• Battery cabinets in substations

• Auto reclosers (e.g. the NULEC)

• Any other device which uses batteries and could be exposed to high temperatures.

Objectives: This project aims to extend the life of batteries by creating a cool thermal zone in hot basement substations.