GE and Hitachi ABB Power Grids sign landmark agreement
GE Renewable Energy’s Grid Solutions business and Hitachi ABB Power Grids Ltd. announced on 21 April a non-exclusive, cross-licensing agreement.
Image source: GE
France, Paris: GE Renewable Energy’s Grid Solutions business and Hitachi ABB Power Grids Ltd. announced on 21 April a non-exclusive, cross-licensing agreement.
The agreement is related to the use of an alternative gas to sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆) used in high voltage equipment. This fluoronitrile-based gas mixture has a significantly reduced impact on the environment compared to SF₆.
Under this landmark agreement announced just before Earth Day 2021 between two global leaders in power technologies – both companies will share complementary intellectual property related to their respective SF₆-free solutions.
Today’s historic agreement paves the way for a standard SF₆-free solution for high-voltage equipment in the coming years. This would enable utilities and industries to accelerate their reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, while facilitating their ability to plan, as well as operate and maintain their networks thanks to standardized services and the use of the same auxiliary equipment.
For almost half a century, SF₆ gas has been the norm in the electrical power transmission and distribution industry due to its unique physical properties. It is, however, a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming if leaked.
“Utilities are becoming increasingly aware of their environmental footprint and the impact it has on their communities and the world around them. Today’s landmark agreement reinforces our commitment to help our customers to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions,” said Heiner Markhoff, CEO of GE’s Grid Solutions.
The two companies will keep the product development, manufacturing, sales, marketing and service activities of their gas solutions fully independent. Each company will continue to independently grant and set terms of licenses to its respective intellectual property, hence preserving supplier base diversity for the industry and fair competition.
Source: GE