Hitachi ABB Power Grids and GE Renewable Energy's Grid Solutions business have signed a non-exclusive cross-licensing agreement involving the use of sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) alternative gas in high-pressure equipment. Compared with SF6, this fluoronitrile-based gas mixture has a significantly reduced environmental impact.
According to the landmark agreement announced by the two global power technology leaders before Earth Day 2021, the two companies will share complementary intellectual property related to their respective SF6-free solutions. This will help accelerate the use of fluoronitrile-based eco-efficient insulation and switching gases as a substitute for SF6 in high-voltage equipment. A recent report by the European Commission concluded that when space is limited, fluoronitrile-based gas mixtures may be the only insulating and switching gas substitute for SF6.
This historic agreement paved the way for standard SF6-free solutions for high-voltage equipment in the coming years. This will enable utilities and industries to accelerate the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, while at the same time improving their ability to plan, operate and maintain networks due to standardized services and the use of the same auxiliary equipment.
For nearly half a century, SF6 gas has been the standard gas in the power transmission and distribution industry due to its unique physical characteristics. However, it is a greenhouse gas, and if it leaks, it will cause global warming. To this end, Hitachi ABB Power Grids and GE have been investing in the development of better SF6 alternatives.
“As part of our commitment to a carbon-neutral future and accelerating the energy transition, we chose to devote ourselves to developing standard solutions to meet customer needs through this cross-licensing agreement,” said Markus Heimbach, managing director of the company. Hitachi ABB's high-voltage products business. "As a technology leader, we have been at the forefront of gas-insulated switchgear (GIS), which has become a key driver of urbanization and installed the first SF6-free GIS that significantly reduces the carbon footprint," he added .
"Utilities are becoming more aware of their environmental footprint and their impact on communities and the world around them. This landmark agreement reinforces our commitment to help customers reduce greenhouse gas emissions," Heiner, CEO of GE Grid Solutions Markhoff said. "GE was the first to introduce this fluoronitrile-based gas, and we named it g3, and then developed a wide range of SF6-free products. Our g3 SF6-free products have been commercially available since 2015 and have the same compactness as traditional SF6 equipment. Sex and performance," he also mentioned.
The two companies will keep their gas solutions product development, manufacturing, sales, marketing and service activities completely independent. Each company will continue to independently grant and set the licensing terms of its own intellectual property rights, so as to maintain the diversity of the supplier base for the industry and fair competition.
g3-SF6 replacement for high pressure applications
SF6 (or sulfur hexafluoride) has always been the standard gas used as insulation and arc extinguishing medium in high-voltage electrical equipment. However, according to the Kyoto Protocol, SF6 is also classified as a very strong greenhouse gas. Its relative global warming potential is 23,500 times CO2, and its life in the atmosphere is 3,200 years. As grid operators around the world pay more and more attention to environmental impact, GE provides a commercially viable alternative to SF6 to help utilities and industries reduce their environmental impact.
Introduce g3 insulation and switch gas
g³ (pronounced'g' cubed) is a disruptive alternative to SF6 gas developed by GE for HV electrical transmission equipment.
The g³ products have the same ratings and the same size footprint as the most advanced SF6 products, and their environmental impact is significantly reduced: In contrast, the gas’s global warming potential (GWP) has been reduced by more than 99%. In addition, g³ products operate in the same temperature range (as low as -30°C) as SF6 products without restriction.
Like SF6, g3 is non-toxic and non-flammable. It belongs to the same safety level as SF6.
GE's g3 products are type tested and can be used in live circuit breakers, gas insulated substations (GIS) up to 145 kV, air insulated switchgear (AIS) and gas insulated lines (GIL) up to 420 kV.
The world's first gas-insulated switchgear using ecologically efficient gas mixtures
Hitachi ABB Grid has commissioned the world's first high- and medium-voltage gas insulated switchgear (GIS) for Swiss electric power company ewz, which uses a new eco-efficient gas mixture as a substitute for sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) gas.
The 170/24 kV substation deployed the first breakthrough GIS, using an ecologically efficient gas mixture with a global warming potential (GWP) less than 1, as a substitute for SF6 gas.
It is located in the center of Zurich, in a beautifully designed building 15 meters underground, replacing the outdoor air-insulated switchgear (AIS) substation built in 1949. The new substation only occupies 30% of the original used space, thus freeing up space to provide land for other urban needs and enhance the beauty of the urban landscape.
By deploying a high-pressure GIS with an ecologically efficient gas mixture, the equivalent carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions can be reduced by up to 50% during the entire life cycle of the equipment.
Switchgear type ELK-14 AirPlus
About Hitachi ABB Grid
Hitachi ABB Power Grids is a global technology leader with a comprehensive history of nearly 250 years and approximately 36,000 employees in 90 countries. The business is headquartered in Switzerland and serves utility, industrial and infrastructure customers in the value chain, as well as emerging areas such as sustainable mobility, smart cities, energy storage and data centers. With a good track record, global footprint and unparalleled installation base, Hitachi ABB Grid balances social, environmental and economic values. It is committed to powering the future of sustainable energy through groundbreaking digital technologies, as the partner of choice to achieve a stronger, smarter and greener grid.
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