Hitachi Energy is to provide sulphur hexafluoride (SF6)-free 550kV gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) to the Central China Branch of the State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC) – claimed as the first application of the technology at this voltage level.
SF6 is an extremely potent greenhouse gas used in electrical equipment because of its insulating properties. The industry is working on alternatives at progressively higher voltage levels. An official from the Central China Branch of SGCC said, “This project is the world’s first pilot application of 550 kV SF6-free GIS, which is of great significance to the Central China Branch of SGCC and will contribute to the clean transformation of the electrical industry to achieve the dual carbon goals.”
Hitachi Energy said the GIS is its EconiQ®, brand which contains a different gas mixture. The company said it has been providing SGCC with 145kV EconiQ eco-efficient GIS and live tank circuit breaker products since 2022.