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LAKE OF THE OZARKS, MO. -- Some people believe that things get better with age.

That certainly holds true at Bagnell Dam, where nearly 80 years after they flipped the switch, Ameren is making headlines once again.

“At the time the dam was built, it was known as the largest man made reservoir in the country.” Ameren Missouri Osage Plant Supervisor Phil Thompson said. “Ameren has been known for a lot of first. At the time the dam was built it was known as the largest man made reservoir in the country. And now we are installing a gas transformer that is the first of its kind in the country.”

By using gas instead of oil to cool the unit, the new transformer eliminates the potential for fire, explosions and oil-spills grave concerns when producing high-voltage electricity in a high-traffic area.

"The transformers we are replacing sit under the highway and above the river,” Thompson said. “Ameren decided to invest additional money to address fire concerns and potential damage to the roadway, and also environmental concerns if we have an oil spill."

The out-going transformers proved to be remarkably safe through eight decades of round the clock operations, a credit to the vigilant workers who monitor them.

"Transformers and electrical equipment by their very nature are dangerous and risky if they are not closely monitored," Thompson said.

As a preventative measure, Ameren employees sampled the oil in the older transformer every three months.

“Rather than monitor conditions that lead us to think those situations were developing,” Thompson continued. “We made the decision to replace the oil filled transformers with the non-explosive, environmentally friendly Toshiba gas transformers.”

While most people associate the name Toshiba with televisions, cameras and laptops, few realize that the company pioneered the development of transformers in Japan.

Much of the efficiency and safety features unique to the Bagnell transformer arose from the need to bring high-voltage capacity to densely populated areas. Bagnell employees have been working around the clock to install the new equipment under the guidance of Toshiba engineer, Nobuyuki Asai.

“No one in the United States manufactures this transformer,” Thompson explained. “But they are widely used in the Far East, in heavily populated cities. We had to go to Japan to find a transformer of this design and this size that would work for us.”

Six of the original transformers still in service are scheduled to be replaced in the years to come. The new transformers will do the work of three of the older units, increasing transmission from 14,000 to 140,000 volts of electricity.

“The equipment has served us very, very well for many, many years,” Thompson said. “Longer than most of us have be alive.”

Moments away from joining the final two components, Thompson was happy to report that the transformer will be fully functional by Dec. 17.

“We're all hoping to be home for Christmas instead of working,” Thompson said with a grin.