Hitachi Energy and Tirreno Power’s 20-year collaboration continues with Italy’s first-ever 420-kilovolt SF₆-free circuit breaker

Hitachi Energy will collaborate with Tirreno Power to install Italy’s first eco-efficient 420-kilovolt (kV) SF₆-free circuit-breaker. Manufactured in Italy, the groundbreaking equipment made at Hitachi Energy’s factory in Lodi is set to be installed in 2025. The move marks a significant step forward towards a sustainable electricity network in Italy.

A partnership spanning over 20 years, Hitachi Energy has long been a trusted partner to Tirreno Power. This collaboration stretches far beyond supplying the circuit breakers for Tirreno’s Torrevaldaliga Sud power plant, north of Rome, which is fundamental for the city’s power supply. Hitachi Energy ensured the reliability of these devices by maintain them throughout their entire life cycle. 

As the equipment neared the end of its life, Tirreno Power sought a reliable and sustainable solution that minimized environmental impact. Hitachi Energy proposed its innovative EconiQ™ 420 kV Plug And Switch System (PASS). This eco-efficient alternative to conventional SF₆-based technology offers exceptional environmental performance, perfectly aligning with Tirreno Power's evolving requirements.

SF₆ is the most potent greenhouse gas with a global warming potential nearly 25,000 times higher than CO₂. Eliminating SF₆ use in high-voltage electrical substation equipment is therefore key for sustainable grid operations.

The groundbreaking EconiQ technology eliminates SF₆, reducing the product’s carbon footprint while ensuring unwavering reliability and performance. It does all of this while maintaining the considerable advantages of PASS equipment such as compactness, ease of transportation and quick installation. Hitachi Energy will deliver to Tirreno Power two of its EconiQ 420 kV PASS, and the installation is expected to commence by 2025.

“We are excited to collaborate with Hitachi Energy on this groundbreaking project,” remarked Giorgio Torelli, Manager of the Torrevaldaliga Sud Power Plant at Tirreno Power. “The choice to install innovative EconiQ technology marks a move away from SF₆ gas and a significant step on our journey to reduce the carbon footprint of our operations. The solution not only meets our technical requirements but also aligns perfectly with our sustainability targets.”

“We're thrilled to build on our 20-year partnership with Tirreno Power by delivering this future-proof solution for the first time in Italy.” said Pieralvise Fedrigo, General Manager of the High Voltage Products factory in Lodi, Italy. “Our commitment goes beyond supplying technology; it's about providing exceptional service that ensures consistent, long-term reliability. With the innovative EconiQ technology, we're proud to help Tirreno Power achieve their environmental goals while maintaining the unwavering performance they've come to expect from Hitachi Energy.”

EconiQ is Hitachi Energy’s eco-efficient portfolio for sustainability, where products, services, and solutions are proven to deliver exceptional environmental performance. Sustainability is at the heart of Hitachi Energy’s purpose to advance the world’s energy system to be more sustainable, flexible, and secure.

Our EconiQ high-voltage portfolio demonstrates the scalability of our technology, enabling customers and the industry to rapidly transition to eco-efficient solutions. Now more than ever, pioneering technologies such as EconiQ are needed to advance a sustainable energy future.