National Grid, a leading grid operator in UK and USA, has partnered with Hitachi Energy in a pilot project to replace SF6 with a greener alternative. The pilot project will be conducted at the Richborough substation in Kent.
This is understood to be the world’s first collaboration to replace SF6 from an existing high-voltage equipment.
Hitachi Energy’s EconiQTM retrofill solution will allow National Grid to replace SF6 in gas-insulated busbars without changing the equipment, avoiding the environmental impact and cost of replacing equipment which is otherwise fit for many more years’ service.
The technology uses a fluoronitrile-based gas mixture and reduces the carbon footprint throughout the total lifecycle of the equipment while keeping reliability high.
The world’s first SF6 replacement product for installed gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) at Richborough forms part of National Grid’s ambition to reduce its SF6 emissions by 50 per cent by 2030, by eliminating nearly 6 tonnes of SF6 emissions, which is equivalent to taking more than 100,000 cars off the road, a release from National Grid said. The grid operator has planned to remove SF6 gas from all its electrical assets, by 2050.
Practical solution to net zero
Chris Bennett, Acting President of National Grid Electricity Transmission said: “The retrofill solution replaces SF6, cutting emissions and network outages at the same time as saving costs by avoiding the need to spend on costly replacement equipment. We are proud to be working with Hitachi Energy, and to demonstrate a practical solution to a significant issue in the energy industry’s transition to net zero.”
Why SF6?
Sulphur hexafluoride or SF6 is a gas commonly used in the electrical industry to prevent short circuits and to keep the network safe and reliable.
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Innovative retrofill solution
“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 EconiQ 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.”
Featured photograph shows an overview of National Grid’s Richborough Substation located in the historical town of Sandwich in Drover district of Kent county in South East England, UK.
