Hitachi Energy has been awarded a non-exclusive three-year contract with Transpower New Zealand for the supply of Live Tank Breakers (LTBs) and Disconnecting Circuit Breakers (DCBs) rated at 72.5 to 245 kilovolt (kV), including EconiQ eco-efficient LTBs and DCBs at 72.5 and 145 kV, to enhance the sustainability of New Zealand’s grid.
Challenge
In New Zealand, as across the globe, the electricity industry is entering a period of change and growth towards sustainable growth and development. It is essential that projects undertaken now are set up to successfully deliver the energy future of New Zealand while meeting the needs of the community.
Transpower New Zealand, a state-owned enterprise responsible for electric power transmission in New Zealand, is doing significant work to enable the country’s green energy transition. Its purpose is to empower the energy future for New Zealand – a future that delivers a net-zero carbon economy and a reliable and secure electricity system. Transpower’s Sustainability Strategy sets out initiatives that align growth with a sustainable approach to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions as it expands its operations.
Solution
In line with its commitment to taking steps toward achieving net zero emissions in the future, Transpower New Zealand has awarded Hitachi Energy a non-exclusive three-year contract for the supply of EconiQ Live Tank Breaker LTA rated at 72.5 kilovolt (kV) and 145 kV, and EconiQ Disconnecting Circuit Breaker (DCB) LTA, rated at 72.5 kV.
EconiQ is Hitachi Energy’s eco-efficient portfolio that eliminates sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆) with reliable and scalable solutions for the lowest carbon footprint. The EconiQ LTA breaker utilizes a carbon dioxide (CO2) and oxygen (O2) gas mixture as the insulating and switching dielectric medium that is as reliable as the conventional solution based on SF₆, thus, providing the highest reliability while lowering the environmental impact.
“In 2021, we set an ambitious target to significantly reduce our emissions and this project represents a key step in our journey to build a more sustainable and reliable network in New Zealand,” said Transpower New Zealand’s Head of Sustainability, Matiu Park. “We are delighted to work with Hitachi Energy in getting access to their SF₆-free technology which helps brings us closer to achieve a carbon-neutral transmission network for New Zealand.”
Impact
As New Zealand takes steps toward carbon neutrality by 2050, the contract closely aligns with the government’s position on sustainability and growing demand for eco-efficient products across all utilities to further reduce emissions.
Hitachi Energy’s solution for Transpower New Zealand is based on well-proven high-voltage live tank breaker technology that has been adopted worldwide. The main advantage of the EconiQ LTA for Transpower New Zealand is its exceptional environmental performance and reliability in demanding outdoor installations. This is significant considering the country’s unique, windy environment and proximity to sea level, which makes corrosion from extreme sea salt spray a challenge.
Hitachi Energy has placed sustainability at the heart of its Purpose and is advancing a sustainable energy future for all. The EconiQ high-voltage portfolio consists of a range of eco-efficient switchgear and breaker technology and includes EconiQ Retrofill, a world’s first in replacing SF₆ in existing high-voltage equipment and EconiQ gas-insulated current transformers.
