UK – Four existing supergrid transformers will be moved to the new National Grid substation in Dartford, England, with one new transformer being delivered in July 2022.

National Grid and its contractors Balfour Beatty and GE’s Grid Solutions have been working since June 2019 to build a replacement substation for Littlebrook 400 kV substation in Dartford, England. The Dartford facility was constructed 50 years ago and was becoming difficult to maintain due to its reliance on sulphur hexafluoride (SF₆), a potent greenhouse gas.

The construction of a new substation has meant engineers are able to use GE’s Grid Solutions’ g³ innovation, meaning the newly installed gas-insulated busbar equipment is SF₆-free. A total of 5.6 tonnes of SF₆ gas has been saved, forming part of National Grid’s ambition to reduce its SF₆ emissions by 50% by 2030 and removing all SF₆ gas from electrical assets by 2050, National Grid said in a press release.

The project included the installation of cabling, overhead line connections and switchgear – the circuit board used to control, protect, and isolate electrical equipment.

Four existing supergrid transformers will be moved from the old substation to the new one, with one new transformer being delivered in July 2022.

The project used other net zero construction innovations to reduce the environmental impact of the works, including steel manufactured in Britain, solar powered electrics, electric vehicle charging points, biodiversity net gain plan for the local area and an onsite biodigester to manage wastewater.

Vera Silva, CTO of GE’s Grid Solutions said: “Utilities like National Grid are becoming increasingly aware of their environmental footprint and its impact on their communities and the world around them. Today’s latest energization reinforces our commitment to help our customers reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.”

The new Dartford facility should enable 2 GW of low carbon and renewable energy to flow, enough to power around 1.5 million homes, National Grid said in a press release.

Source: National Grid