Europe | December 10, 2021

World’s first replacement of SF₆ in existing high-voltage equipment

UK: Hitachi Energy and National Grid have successfully replaced SF6 in installed HV gas-insulated lines with an eco-efficient gas mixture.

 

Image source: Hitachi Energy

UK: Hitachi Energy and National Grid have successfully replaced SF6 in installed HV gas-insulated lines with an eco-efficient gas mixture.

This retrofill solution, in Richborough, UK is part of Hitachi Energy’s EconiQTM portfolio which is designed to deliver a superior environmental performance compared to conventional solutions.

The innovation called retrofill uses eco-efficient fluoronitrile gas mixture to support National Grid in achieving their sustainability targets.

As one of the world’s largest investor-owned transmission and distribution utilities, National Grid has the ambition to remove all SF6 from its fleet by 2050. In this pioneering project, National Grid has replaced SF6 from 420 kV gas-insulated lines installed in 2016, eliminating 755 kg of SF6. This is equivalent to taking approximately 100 passenger cars off the road.

For decades, SF6 has been used in the electrical industry due to its excellent insulation and current interruption properties. However, it has a high Global Warming Potential (GWP) and requires careful handling.

“We have a responsibility to help our customers like National Grid to accelerate the energy transition,” said Markus Heimbach, Managing Director of High Voltage Products business in Hitachi Energy. “Innovative EconiQ retrofill technology for installed gas-insulated lines along with the new switchgear and breakers portfolio will enable our customers and the industry as a whole to reduce carbon footprint and rapidly transition to eco-efficient solutions.”

Source: Hitachi Energy