Features
Zurich, Switzerland
11-01-2024
2 min read
A transatlantic journey: Hitachi Energy’s airlift of high-voltage switchgear
In a breathtaking display of engineering and logistics, 12 bays of gas-insulated switchgear are transported by air across the Atlantic Ocean
Zurich, Switzerland, Jan. 11, 2024 – On Jan. 10, an Antonov AN-124 took off from Zurich, Switzerland, carrying twelve bays of Hitachi Energy's gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) with a combined weight of 64 tons – the equivalent of 56 medium-sized cars. Hitachi Energy is a global technology leader that is advancing a sustainable energy future for all.
What makes transporting 64 tons of high-voltage equipment across the Atlantic Ocean from Zurich to California truly remarkable is the mode of transportation – an Antonov AN-124, a colossal aircraft designed for the most challenging long-range cargo deliveries.
The 9,500-km journey across the Atlantic Ocean concludes with the flight’s arrival in California on Jan. 12. Air spotters are expected at the airport, eager for a glimpse of this massive heavy-lift freighter landing.
Manufactured in Switzerland, Hitachi Energy’s high-voltage GIS – which controls and protects the network from power outages and facilitates reliable electricity supply – was at the heart of this operation. Designed and manufactured for a project in the USA, the GIS will be crucial to the state’s energy infrastructure. Compact and metal-encapsulated, the GIS ensures safe operation even in confined spaces.
As a pioneer and leader in GIS technology, Hitachi Energy drives innovation in ratings, operations, switching technology, smart control, supervision, and compactness. The GIS’s outstanding reliability and operational safety make it a preferred choice for modern switchgear applications ranging from 72.5 kV to 1,200 kV. Upon arrival in the US, the GIS will make its way to a substation, where it will be swiftly energized. This marks a crucial step in delivering reliable power to the people of California, showcasing the seamless integration of cutting-edge technology and meticulous planning in the energy sector.
