UK Power Networks to instal new climate friendly switchgear

The new 36kV double busbar AirPlus switchgear from ABB will replace components currently utilising the sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) greenhouse gas.

UK Power Networks, which becomes the first utility to instal the new double busbar design switchgear, is making the move as part of its sustainability drive to move away from pollutants such as SF6.

The switchgear will be installed at the company’s substation in Dartford, Kent.

“We have clear goals to reduce the environmental impact of our operations and help enable the country’s transition to net zero carbon emissions, while maintaining reliable electricity supplies for more than eight million homes and businesses,” says Barry Hatton, director of asset management at UK Power Networks.

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“Our new AirPlus switchgear supports our strategy and delivery of our Environmental Action Plan.”

SF6 is regarded as one of the most potent greenhouse gases, with a lifetime in the atmosphere thought to be around 3,200 years.

In contrast, AirPlus, which combines more than 85% dry air with up to 15% 3M Novec insulating gas, has a lifetime of 16 days, according to ABB senior principal engineer Maik Hyrenbach, who describes the search for an alternative to SF6 as the “most challenging” of his 26 years with the company.

The AirPlus switchgear offers the same footprint and similar performance as an SF6 switchgear but operates at lower tank pressures. It includes a ‘run flat’ design, continuing to operate in the event of a leak to enable fault diagnosis without shutting down.

Furthermore, the double busbar design gives the additional benefit of reliability by reducing the risk of unplanned downtime and offering more flexibility in sharing the power load.

With the EU set to revise fluorine gas legislation during 2022, more utility companies will be looking to replace SF6 with alternatives in switchgear and other equipment such as transformers.

ABB counts more than 5,000 AirPlus switchgear installations since its development in 2015.