Switching your switchgear to SF6-free: The fight against climate change
30Sep
From forest fires in Australia to climate activist Greta Thunberg, the world is finally listening and working to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and slow down climate change.
Concerns in the electrical industry revolve around the commonly used SF6 or sulphur hexafluoride gas. It can vastly reduce the switchgear footprint and is easy and cost effective to use; however, it also has the highest global warming potential of any known substance.
Distribution network operations (DNOs) in the UK are increasingly expected to provide a trajectory of the amount of SF6 emissions and phase it out of their infrastructure. Due to the durable design of components in our electrical infrastructure, it can take many years, or even decades, until all the old components are replaced. However, the industry is expecting the introduction of new legislation and regulation around the use of SF6 gas, especially in medium voltage applications, over the next few years. This means that DNOs need to begin rethinking their approach to substation insulation now, in order to be ahead of the curve.
That’s exactly what’s behind the development and adoption of new switchgear technology, which allows electricity companies and building managers to wage war on global heating and slash their carbon footprint.
Read the full article in the October issue of PBSI
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