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SF6 alternative dielectric mediums’ contribution towards electricity decarbonization
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Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) is a man-made fluorinated gas (F-gas) that has been used for decades in both high voltage (HV) and medium voltage (MV) switchgear. The properties of SF6 made it very well suited for electrical current breaking and insulation.
The significantly negative characteristic of SF6 is its’ global warming potential. It is 23,500 times stronger than CO2, making it the single strongest greenhouse gas. The gas is estimated to remain in the atmosphere for 3,200 years.
As electrical networks grow, SF6 will continue to proliferate. If no action is taken on SF6, its potential CO2 equivalent impact is expected to increase because of network expansion, including new renewables. By 2050, this would represent a 42% increase on the existing banked volume of SF6 in operation in MV switchgear in Europe alone.
“In recent years, the technological development of SF6-free medium voltage switchgear has made very good progress,” according to a paper published by Oko-Recherche.
The transition to an SF6-free future is now taking shape. The technologies, users, and stakeholders are ready. While a spark is certainly required to achieve the tipping point, this may come from the enabling policy actions that are foreseen.
Have a look at Schneider Electric’s latest SF6-free innovation, the RM AirSet:
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