- EU’s LIFE program recognizes potential of GE’s Green Gas for Grid (g3) to help significantly cut global greenhouse gas emissions.
- The gas mass of g³ high-voltage equipment has more than a 99% reduced CO2 equivalent compared to SF6
- A g³ 420 kV, 63 kA GIS CB will demonstrate that g³ technology can be applied to all other high-voltage levels of Europe’s electrical networks.
PARIS–(BUSINESS WIRE): General Electric Renewable Energy’s Grid Solutions business (NYSE-GE) has been awarded €2.2 million through the European Commission’s LIFE climate action program to help fund the development of a SF6-free, 420 kV 63 kilo Amps (kA) GIS circuit-breaker.
The new CB will rely on GE’s industry-leading “Green Gas for Grid”—or “g3” (pronounced “g- cubed”)—technology, resulting in the same high performance and compact size as a traditional SF6-insulated circuit-breaker, but with a gas mass having more than a 99% reduced CO₂ equivalent value.Upon completion in 2022, the g3 circuit-breaker is expected to be the first SF6-free 420 kV GIS CBin the world.
A circuit-breaker is a equipment used to interrupt power in case of a problem on the grid.
Due to its strong insulating and arc-quenching properties, SF6 is widely used in substation equipment with the transmission industry accounting for approximately 80% of the world’s usage. Identified as the world’s most potent greenhouse gas by the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, SF6 is estimated to contribute 23,500 times more emissions than CO₂ if leaked and can remain in the atmosphere for up to 3,200 years.
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Vera Silva, Chief Technology Officer at GE’s Grid Solutions said :“Our g3 technology is a game-changing alternative to SF6 for HV equipment and is part of GE’s broader efforts to help the electric transmission and distribution industry reduce its greenhouse gas emissions,”
Yannick Kieffel, Grid Solutions’ Materials and Eco Design Team Leader and Project Leader for the EU-funded g3 project said :“Because 420 kV is the highest voltage level used in most European countries, a proven g3–insulated 420 kV circuit-breaker will demonstrate that g3 technology can be applied to other high-voltage levels, as well as all other gas-insulated substation components, such as disconnectors, earthing switches, voltage transformers,”
Currently, GE offers the following g3 products: live tank CB and GIS up to 145 kV, GIL up to 420 kV and instrument transformers up to 245 kV.
Angelo Salsi, LIFE Programme Head of Unit at the Executive Agency for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises said:
“This project is a great fit for our recent round of LIFE financial awards due to its potential impact on Europe’s transition to a more sustainable and low-carbon future,” said . “The LIFE program is one of the most efficient and well known EU funding mechanisms that has supported nature, the environment and climate action for over 25 years. We look forward to the positive ripple effect this project will have across Europe over the next decade and beyond.”
Source: businesswire website
