ZURICH, SWITZERLAND - Strengthening key power infrastructure in London while reducing carbon footprint

Hitachi Energy and Linxon have announced a collaboration to strengthen London Power Tunnels (LPT), a key power infrastructure project that would ensure a reliable, clean electricity supply for England’s capital. To support National Grid in accelerating its net zero targets, Hitachi Energy will deliver their new SF₆ - free gas insulated switch gear 420-kilovolt (kV) gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) and gas-insulated lines (GIL) containing no sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆).

According to National Grid It is their ambition to remove all SF₆ from its fleet by 2050. In 2020, it embarked on an LPT project that will replace aging high-voltage electricity cables and expand network capacity to meet the increasing electricity demand. The LPT should span 32.5 kilometers (20 miles) via underground tunnels in South London.

According to Linxon, they are building a Bengeworth Road substation for National Grid to develop the LPT infrastructure. To support National Grid in its transition to SF₆-free solutions, Hitachi Energy has said that it will deliver 7 bays of its new switchgear technology to enable the transmission of electricity over long distances while eliminating SF_6. 

“We’re delighted that Bengeworth Road substation, at the heart of London Power Tunnels, will be SF₆-free,” said Onur Aydemir, National Grid Project Director for London Power Tunnels. “This key power project will deliver a secure energy supply to the capital, and by using sustainable technology we are minimizing the environmental impact of our operations to support the transition to Net Zero.” 

The installation is expected to commence by 2023.

Source: Hitachi Energy