Technology flyer
High-voltage gas-insulated switchgear (GIS)
Pilot technology with new eco-efficient gas mixture
Technology breakthrough in eco-efficient Therefore the new gas mixture is first deployed for applica-
GIS as an alternative to sulfur tions with a nominal voltage up to 170 kV where typically
short circuit currents are below 50 kA.
hexafluoride (SF6) to substantially lower
environmental impact. The new gas mixture is the only one available so far that
has been type tested according to IEC standards and which
meets performance criteria and has a GWP 1 (e.g. equal or
less than CO 2). In a gas-to-gas comparison to SF6, the new
ABB breakthrough technology gas mixture has almost 100 percent lower GWP. The gas
High-voltage GIS with an eco-efficient gas mixture with the mixture is practically non-toxic** and has ozone depletion
potential to lower carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent emissions potential of 0.
by up to 50 percent over the product lifecycle.
Worlds first GIS installation with eco-efficient gas mixture
The fluoroketone-based SF6 alternative gas mixture is a ABB has commissioned the worlds first pilot GIS installation
chemical compound developed for switchgear applications in with a new eco-efficient gas mixture as an alternative to SF6
collaboration with 3M. It has a dielectric performance similar gas for ewz, a power utility in Switzerland.
to SF6 when utilized in indoor applications, but with very low
GWP*. The 170/24 kV substation deploys the first breakthrough
GIS with eco-efficient gas mixture with a global warming
The new gas mixture also has an adequate current potential of less than 1 as an alternative to SF6 gas. This pilot
interruption performance but in this respect SF 6 is superior. technology will provide long-term operational experience to
pave the way for more eco-efficient switchgear in the future.
Why ABB GIS with eco-efficient gas mixture?
GWP of new gas mixture is almost 100 percent lower than
GWP of SF6
Carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent emissions can be lowered
by up to 50 percent through the lifecycle of the high-
voltage GIS. The CO 2 emissions consist of approximately
50 percent from raw materials, manufacturing and energy
losses, and 50 percent from SF 6 emissions based on a 30-
year service life
Regulatory procedures for SF6 such as maintaining
inventory, special requirements in gas handling, filling and
Copyright ABB. 1HC0114819 E01 / AA15
decommissioning of the equipment will be avoided
Savings can be made in SF6 related taxes which are
applicable in some countries
The new gas mixture is the only one available so far that
has been type tested according to IEC standards which
meets performance criteria and has a GWP 1
Global Warming Potential Lifecycle analysis (LCA)
145 kV GIS with alternative gas mixture According to ISO 14040, the LCA takes among others three
major contributors into consideration:
Materials
Insulation gas leakage (SF6 losses)
Energy losses (at 50% rated current flow over 30 years)
145 kV GIS with SF6
Boundary conditions:
Lifetime of equipment: 30 years
Assumed gas leakage rate: 0.1% p.a. accumulated over a
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% period of 30 years, 1% loss during handling, 1% loss during
decommissioning
Material
SF6 losses
Energy losses
* GWP : The global warming potential describes how much heat a greenhouse gas
traps in the atmosphere. It compares the amount of heat trapped by a certain mass of
the gas in question to the amount of heat trapped by a similar mass of carbon dioxide.
GWP is expressed as a factor of carbon dioxide.
** According toHodgeandSternerscale
ABB Switzerland Ltd
High Voltage Products
www.abb.com/highvoltage
