The path to zero: F-gas-free power transmission

Due to their special chemical characteristics, man-made fluorinated gases (F-gases), such as sulfur hexafluoride (SF ₆), are widely used in the electricity sector and are the standard insulation solution in most substations. However, these F-gases come with a downside: as greenhouse gases (GHG) they are harmful to the environment. SF ₆ in particular is the most damaging greenhouse gas we know; it is around 23,500 times more harmful to the climate than CO ₂. And given the nature of the system, it's impossible to avoid even a small level of emissions when using SF ₆.

Grid operators worldwide are searching for environmentally friendly methods of power transmission to minimize CO ₂ emissions and to meet net-zero target goals. Furthermore, in various parts of the world new F-gas regulations are expected to restrict the use of F-gases in future. With its zero-F-gas Blue portfolio of high-voltage gas-insulated switchgear, circuit breakers and instrument transformers, Siemens Energy offers a future-proof and environmentally friendly alternative. Through the innovative combination of vacuum switching technology and clean air insulation, Blue switchgear use purified air as insulation medium instead of F-gases, which have been proven to pollute the environment and cause damage to health. Clean air consists of 80 percent nitrogen and 20 percent oxygen, both natural elements in the surrounding atmosphere. This means that every Blue product has a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of zero.