Hitachi Energy leads the charge with new SF₆-free EconiQ™ solutions

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Hitachi Energy leads the charge with new SF₆-free EconiQ solutions

The call for a new SF₆-free world

The power industry is at a crossroads. The growing demand for energy, relentless pursuit of clean energy, and the growing urgency to combat climate change have necessitated a radical overhaul of traditional power systems. A key challenge lies in the widespread use of sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆) in high-voltage equipment. While an exceptional insulator and arc quencher, SF₆ is a potent greenhouse gas with a global warming potential thousands of times greater than carbon dioxide (CO₂).

The CIGRE conference, a biennial gathering of the power system community, has emerged as a pivotal platform for addressing the challenges of decarbonization and energy transition. This year’s event promises to be particularly groundbreaking, as Hitachi Energy unveils its latest advancements in SF₆-free technology. The company’s commitment to innovation is evident in its development of the EconiQ gas circuit-breaker and switchgear technology, a revolutionary alternative to SF₆–based solutions, that offers exceptional performance without compromising environmental sustainability.

EconiQ milestones unveiled at CIGRE

This blog delves into the challenges and opportunities presented by the urgency of accelerated energy transition, exploring the latest advancements in SF₆-free technology, and the path toward a more sustainable grid. Tune in to this special episode of the Power Pulse podcast to find out more about this topic. 

We hope you can join us in beautiful Paris as we continue to accelerate the energy transition and create a sustainable energy future for all. Book a meeting with us.

Designing eco-efficient high-voltage products: a life cycle approach

Designing high-voltage products that are both efficient and sustainable involves several key stages:

1. Vision and planning: Developing a scalable portfolio from 100 kV to 1000 kV, ensuring that the technology can be adapted for various voltage levels and diverse grid requirements.
2. Innovation in insulation: Utilizing a mixture of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and oxygen (O₂) with the addition of C4-fluoronitrile (C4-FN) in certain products to maintain compact dimensions without compromising performance.
3. Testing and validation: Rigorous testing to ensure reliability and safety, comparable to or exceeding traditional SF₆ equipment.
4. Life cycle assessment (LCA): Considering the total carbon footprint of the product, from raw material extraction to final disposal, ensuring minimal environmental impact.
5. Market introduction: Gradually introducing products, starting with pilot projects, and scaling up based on market acceptance and evolving regulatory frameworks.

The regulatory landscape: Global shift away from SF₆

Global regulations are increasingly targeting the reduction of SF₆ due to its environmental impact. Legislation varies by region, but includes:

• Technical specifications: Ensuring that products meet stringent safety and performance standards and grids remain as reliable as they currently are.

• Environmental impact: Minimizing the use of SF₆, with exemptions for certain applications where alternatives are not yet viable or where technical performance would be compromised. 

• Life cycle considerations: Assessing the overall carbon footprint of products, encouraging the development of solutions that offer substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

Innovating for a sustainable grid: Alternatives to SF₆

Several technologies are being explored to replace SF₆ in high-voltage equipment. These include various gas mixtures such as the EconiQ gas mixture, vacuum, and air insulation. Each technology has its strengths and limitations. 

1. Gas mixtures: Using combinations of CO₂, O₂ and C4-FN to achieve the desired insulation properties and providing the same compactness as SF₆ while reducing environmental impact.  
2. Vacuum interruption: Effective in medium voltage applications, vacuum technology is difficult to scale to higher voltages due to its insulation limitations. 
   
3. Technical air: Used in combination with other technologies, technical air can be effective, but requires larger spaces and higher pressures, making it less suitable for compact designs. 
   

Among these, Hitachi Energy’s EconiQ gas mixture stands out for its ability to maintain the compact dimensions and reliability of traditional SF₆ equipment while significantly reducing environmental impact.

Hitachi Energy is set to revolutionize the high-voltage landscape with the launch of two groundbreaking products at this year’s CIGRE 2024 Paris Session. The first, a fully tested SF₆-free 550 kV circuit-breaker, marks a significant leap forward in sustainable high-voltage technology.

Additionally, the company is unveiling the world’s first SF₆-free live tank breaker at the 420 kV level, further expanding its portfolio of eco-efficient solutions for the power industry. These innovations demonstrate Hitachi Energy’s commitment to eliminating harmful greenhouse gases while maintaining exceptional performance and reliability.

Listen to the latest Power Pulse CIGRE special episode part 2 for an in-depth and exciting discussion about the two game-changing EconiQ technologies designed to advance a sustainable energy future.

A sustainable energy future: Hitachi Energy is leading the way

The journey toward a sustainable power grid is complex and demands meticulous planning and innovation. Hitachi Energy’s commitment to developing SF₆-free solutions like the EconiQ portfolio is a significant step forward. By addressing both technical and environmental challenges, EconiQ technology not only meets current regulatory requirements but also sets the stage for future advancements in high-voltage product development.

Understanding the high-voltage supply chain is crucial for ensuring the efficiency and reliability of these innovative products. As we move toward a cleaner future, the collaboration between industry leaders, regulatory bodies, and the broader community will be essential in achieving the goal of sustainable power systems.

Hitachi Energy’s dedication to excellence and innovation positions it as a leader in the field, driving the transition to eco-efficient high-voltage products and paving the way for the next generation of power grids.

Connect with our experts to discuss how Hitachi Energy can support your high-voltage needs.