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Electrical Utilities: Renewable

Reliable Hydrocarbon Management for Wind, Solar, Battery Storage & Hybrid Renewable Facilities

Mercer provides enhanced-gravity separators engineered to manage transformer oil, hydraulic fluid leakage, equipment washdowns, and stormwater-driven oily runoff across renewable energy sites, supporting compliance, safety, and operational reliability.

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INDUSTRY INSIGHT

Overview

While often perceived as “clean” installations, renewable energy sites generate oily wastewater from several hidden but critical sources. Transformer bays at solar farms, nacelle gearboxes on wind turbines, hydraulic systems, inverter pads, battery energy storage system (BESS) cooling circuits, and substation switchgear all produce lubricants, dielectric oils, and maintenance washdowns that can create hydrocarbon-contaminated drainage.

As these sites scale in size, stormwater becomes the primary transport mechanism, spreading sheens, fines, and lubricants into containment areas, equipment pads, or regulated discharge points. Many installations rely on gravel trenches, simple pits, passive filters, or undersized CPI units that were never designed to manage real hydrocarbon loads. The result: inconsistent discharge quality, plugged media, and growing scrutiny from regulators and environmental stakeholders.

Mercer brings predictability to these systems.
Our Compliance Master™ separators and Multi-Pack™ coalescer systems provide stable, automated oil removal and solids handling, even in remote or lightly staffed renewable sites. Compact footprints and low-maintenance operation make Mercer systems ideal for decentralized assets and sites without full-time operators.

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INDUSTRY CHALLENGES

Solutions Across the Power Generation Landscape

Hydroelectric

Treat turbine-bay drainage, gatehouse leaks, and powerhouse oily runoff while minimizing solids carry-through and protecting waterways.

Natural Gas

Handle lube-oil leakage, compressor drainage, turbine washdowns, and sump water in highly variable flow conditions.

Coal

Remove oils and fines from coal pile runoff, conveyor/washdown water, and process-area drainage before it enters surface water or NPDES outfalls.

Nuclear

Manage controlled-area drainage, turbine lubricants, transformer leaks, and regulated wastewater streams with predictable, documented performance.

Petroleum-Fired Generation

Capture fuel-oil spills, boiler house drainage, tank farm runoff, and oily sumps — automatically and with sealed emissions control.

Renewables

Support wind, solar, and battery storage sites with containment and drainage solutions for transformer bays, inverter pads, and maintenance hubs.

Solution

Mercer’s Solution

Mercer equips renewable energy sites with reliable, automated separation solutions that tolerate variability in flow, solids, and hydrocarbon content.

Captures 3× smaller droplets than legacy systems, ideal for dielectric oil leaks and lubricants.

Electromechanical skimming removes oils continuously, preventing collapse under solid loads or temperature variations.

Hopper-bottom designs and automated valves prevent filler, dust, and soil from burying removal systems.

Airtight lids keep dust, insects, leaves, and debris out, critical for outdoor renewable installations.

Ideal for solar farms, inverter pads, and modular renewable facilities with limited space.

Low-maintenance design and SCADA/remote monitoring options support decentralized operations.

APPLICATION AREAS

Typical Renewable Applications

Solar Farm Transformer Bays

Treat dielectric oil runoff and washdowns, preventing sheens at stormwater outfalls.

Wind Turbine Pads & Maintenance Areas

Handle gearbox oil, hydraulic leaks, cleaning fluids, and stormwater-borne lubrication residues.

Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)

Manage coolant-oil mixtures and drainage around liquid-cooled battery units

Inverter Pads, Switchgear, & Substation Equipment

Capture oils from equipment drips and prevent solids-induced carryover.

Operations & Maintenance Yard Drainage

Treat mixed hydrocarbons from repairs, washing, and handling lubricants.

Stormwater Containment & Outfalls

Provide consistent separation during surge conditions and variable rainfall events.

SYSTEM PERFORMANCE

Common Renewable Sector Challenges

Transformer Oil Leaks at Solar Farms & Substations

Dielectric oils mixed with dust and fines overwhelm passive trenches and basic skimmers.

Wind Turbine Gearbox & Hydraulic Fluid Loss

Nacelle gearbox oils and hydraulic leaks are carried off turbine pads by stormwater, creating sheens and solids/oil mixtures.

Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Cooling Circuit Leakage

Oil-bearing coolant mixtures and trace hydrocarbons require predictable separation to protect containment systems.

Inverter & Switchgear Pad Drainage

Fine particulate, washdowns, and lubricants foul passive media systems quickly.

Stormwater as the Primary Transport Mechanism

Large, paved, or gravel areas produce sudden surges that bypass or overload CPI and passive separators.

Remote & Unmanned Site Operations

Systems must operate automatically with minimal intervention and robust solids/oil management.

99.9%

Oil Removal Rate

75%

Space Reduction

25+

Year Lifespan

Performance Highlights

MERCER ADVANTAGE

The Mercer Difference

Automated, Set-and-Forget Operation for Unmanned Sites

Perfect for solar farms and wind sites with minimal on-site personnel.

Superior Performance vs. Passive & CPI Separators

Passive trenches clog quickly, and CPI units collapse under solids and temperature variability — Mercer does not.

Built for Outdoor, High-Fines, Dusty Environments

Sealed, debris-resistant systems maintain hydraulic integrity in harsh conditions.

Predictable Compliance at Stormwater Outfalls

Mercer maintains consistent separation during surge events and seasonal changes.

Environmental Protection with Measurable Results

Supporting ESG, sustainability reporting, and regulatory compliance.

Low Lifecycle Costs

Reduced solids buildup, less hauling, fewer service intervals, and dependable uptime.

Hydrocarbon Control for the Next Generation of Power

Free testing. Guaranteed performance.

Automated, reliable separation for solar, wind, BESS, and hybrid renewable facilities.

Request a Renewable Applications Consultation View Separator Models

Frequently Asked Questions

Q.

Can Mercer systems handle dielectric oil from transformers?

A.

Yes, they capture small droplets and maintain performance even with windborne dust and debris.

Q.

Are Mercer units suitable for remote renewable sites?

A.

Absolutely. Automated skimming, timed purges, and remote monitoring make them ideal for unmanned locations.

Q.

How do systems perform under stormwater surges?

A.

Mercer separators maintain stable separation even during heavy rainfall and first-flush events.

Q.

Can separators handle coolant-oil mixtures from BESS units?

A.

Yes, materials and flow geometry support mixed hydrocarbon/coolant separation.

Q.

Do I need to modify existing pads or containment areas?

A.

Often no. Mercer modules can retrofit into existing sumps or pads with minimal civil work.

Q.

Are sealed covers needed for renewable sites?

A.

Yes, they prevent debris infiltration, maintain hydraulics, and control odor/VOC emissions.