UNITED KINGDOM - National Grid has partnered with Hitachi Energy in a pilot project at Richborough Substation in Kent, to develop and deploy a new solution to replace greenhouse gas Sulphur Hexafluoride (SF6) with a greener alternative.

Chris Bennett, Acting President of National Grid Electricity Transmission, said: “Climate change is the greatest challenge of our time and this new, transformational green technology will help achieve wide-scale decarbonisation on our electricity transmission network.”

Hitachi Energy will provide an SF6 replacement product for installed gas-insulated switchgear. Using this new solution will enable National Grid to reduce the environmental impact and cost of replacing equipment, which is otherwise fit for many more years’ service, the utility said in a press release. The technology uses a fluoronitrile-based gas mixture and reduces the carbon footprint throughout the total lifecycle of the equipment while keeping reliability high.

 “We are proud to be working with Hitachi Energy and to demonstrate a practical solution to a significant issue in the energy industry’s transition to net zero,” added Chris Bennett.

Markus Heimbach, Managing Director of High Voltage Products business in Hitachi Energy, said: “We have a responsibility to help our customers like National Grid to accelerate the energy transition”. He also commented that the new, innovative technology “…will enable our customers and the industry as a whole to reduce carbon footprint and rapidly transition to eco-efficient solutions.”

Source: National Grid