Siemens Energy and Mitsubishi Electric sign MoU
The companies aim to move faster to develop gas solutions with zero global-warming potential in the high-voltage power transmission industry.
Image source : Siemens Energy
Germany, Munich: The companies aim to move faster to develop gas solutions with zero global-warming potential in the high-voltage power transmission industry.
On June 5 (World Environment Day), Siemens Energy and Mitsubishi Electric signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to conduct a feasibility study on the joint development of high-voltage switching solutions with zero global-warming potential (GWP) that substitute greenhouse gases with clean air for insulation. Both companies will research methods for scaling up the application of clean-air insulation technology to higher voltages. They will start with a 245 kV dead-tank circuit breaker that will speed up the availability of climate-neutral high-voltage switching solutions for customers around the globe. Both partners will continue to manufacture, sell, and service switchgear solutions independently.
In most of the world’s substations, sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) – the most potent greenhouse gas in the world, with a potential for global warming roughly 23,500 times greater than CO2, – is still the insulating gas of choice. Even with a very low number of leakages, the impact on global warming is significant. In light of the drive toward global decarbonization, the demand for alternatives is growing as operators seek future-proof technologies that significantly reduce the carbon footprint of their systems.
Siemens Energy and Mitsubishi Electric are pioneers in the development of high-voltage switching solutions. Both companies have been working on the development of SF6-free gas-insulated switching solutions that replace the greenhouse gas with clean air, a pure mixture of nitrogen and oxygen, in order to contribute to global carbon-neutrality goals. To date, clean-air insulation is the only alternative to greenhouse gases and therefore poses zero health and safety risks. In conjunction with vacuum interrupters, a higher performance for switching applications is ensured, even compared with all known SF6 circuit breakers.
Siemens Energy’s Blue Portfolio offers future-proof and environmentally friendly solutions for high-voltage power transmission. It comprises F-gas-free gas-insulated switchgear, circuit breakers, and instrument transformers.
Mitsubishi Electric provides a variety of high- and medium-voltage products to ensure the safe and reliable operation of modern power networks. With its state-of-the-art, best in the industry vacuum-interruption and dry-air insulation technology, Mitsubishi Electric is contributing to society by providing (SF6-free) and zero CO2 equivalent emission, energy-efficient, and low lifecycle-cost solutions.
Source: Siemens Energy