UK Power Networks (UKPN) is installing its first “clean air” gas insulated switchgear in a bid to reduce the use of the potent SF6 gas in its operations.
Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) is used to insulate high voltage electrical equipment but it is also the most powerful greenhouse gas known to man, with almost 23,000 times the global warming potential of carbon dioxide.
The distribution network operator said as part of a substation upgrade in Lewes, East Sussex it is installing a 132,000-volt switchgear which will instead be insulated with a gas composed of dehumidified oxygen and nitrogen which it said “has zero global warming potential”.
The company added that the move forms part of its ambition to reduce the use of SF6 for new switchgear across all voltage ranges where alternatives are available on the market.
Barry Hatton, director of asset management at UKPN, said: “Switchgear plays a vital role in the safe and secure distribution of electricity to homes and businesses. Over time, we want to make more use of environmentally-friendly technology to support a net zero carbon future.
“This investment will pave the way for minimising the volume of SF6 on our network and using alternatives which maintain reliability and performance. We want to continue embracing innovative, sustainable and smart approaches to help enable the low carbon transition and minimise our own carbon footprint.”
Mark Simblett, managing director transmission products at Siemens Energy which worked with UKPN on the project, said: “From the outset we have worked closely with UK Power Networks to offer detailed information about the new technology, highlighting the main advantages and long-term benefits it will bring to their business and of course the environment.
“Our clean air insulated technology is not only good for the planet but the absence of F-gas will also benefit UK Power Networks through a reduction in training requirements, management of F-gas reporting and the recycling costs that are associated with its use.”
UKPN is not the first network operator to move away from SF6.
Last year National Grid Electricity Transmission revealed plans to install an SF6-free 400kV substation in Lambeth as part of the London Power Tunnels project.