Development of New Types of Insulators for Electric Power Apparatuses Using Nanocomposites and Functionally Graded Materials

In Japan, the development of new types of electric power apparatuses such as large-scale generators, gas-insulated switchgears, and medium- and small-scale generators is advancing in order to create energy saving equipment with novel insulators based on nanocomposites and/or functionally graded materials. The current project involves 17 organizations and is subsidized by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO). This paper presents the outline of the project and concept of the insulators and provides explanation on the progression status of the development and related basic studies.