Siemens Energy and National Grid team up to eliminate SF6 gases
USA: National Grid and Siemens Energy are teaming for a cutting-edge upgrade of a National Grid substation with Siemens Energy designed “Blue circuit breakers.”
Image for illustration purposes
USA: National Grid and Siemens Energy are teaming for a cutting-edge upgrade of a National Grid substation with Siemens Energy designed “Blue circuit breakers.”
The units are fluorinated gas-free, with clean air insulation and vacuum switching technology.
The elimination of fluorinated gasses, specifically SF6, aggressively mitigates greenhouse gas emissions and furthers each company’s goal of addressing climate change, as the global warming potential (GWP) of SF6 is 23,500 times higher than the GWP of CO2. One kg of SF6 has the same greenhouse gas effect as 23,500 kg of CO2. SF6 also remains in the atmosphere for more than 3,000 years.
“The availability of a SF6-free circuit breaker for this voltage class will go a long way toward helping us meet our net-zero carbon emissions targets,” says Jim McGrath, New England Director of Substation Engineering for National Grid. “Climate change is one of the greatest challenges that we currently confront as a society, requiring bold, creative solutions. The Blue circuit breaker is an excellent example of a solution that will help reduce our emissions.”
Scheduled for commissioning in 2023, Siemens Energy’s circuit breakers will be installed in National Grid’s Ayer, Massachusetts, substation that serves several North Central Massachusetts communities. It will be the first Siemens Energy Blue circuit breaker installation in National Grid’s US electricity network.
The core element of the circuit breaker is the vacuum interrupter unit. This revolutionary technology enables fluorinated gas-free and climate neutral high-voltage power grids.
Source: Siemens Energy
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