Research and experimental characterization of alternative materials to reduce the environmental impact of some electrical distribution equipment

In the electric system the aim of a sustainable politics is to reconcile the rational use of the energy with the environment protection for an improvement of the life quality. This objective can be reached optimising the functional, safety and environmental performances of the network components. This means to develop new products and new processes which, beyond to improve the quality of service to consumers or to anticipate the evolution in standards and the demands of the market, can also reduce energy and non renewable resources consumption, risks for human and ecosystem health and end-of-life waste. So a research project named MATEALT has started in CESI at the end of 2003 with a funding regulated by the Decree of the Italian Ministry for Industry and Trade dated 26 January 2000. The activity is in progress and will be concluded at the end of 2005.