Hitachi Energy releases new EconiQ 420kV circuit breaker

2022-9-8 Hitachi Energy

Hitachi Energy has unveiled the world’s first eco-efficient 420-kilovolt (kV) circuit-breaker in conjunction with CIGRE Session 2022.

This breakthrough technology marks a significant milestone in its accelerated EconiQ™ high-voltage portfolio roadmap that was announced at CIGRE Session 2021.

For over two decades, the company has been investing in eco-efficient alternative solutions to sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆) including the world’s first 170 kV eco-efficient gas-insulated switchgear (GIS). The EconiQ high-voltage portfolio uses a game-changing technology that eliminates sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆), a greenhouse gas. Over time, it has been successful in continuously increasing the voltage levels of its EconiQ high-voltage portfolio.

The EconiQ 420 kV circuit-breaker marks a key milestone in the industry to transmit large amounts of electricity over long distances while eliminating significant volumes of SF₆.

This innovation is the key enabler to achieving a wide range of EconiQ switchgear applications, and will be used in both dead tank breaker (DTB) and gas-insulated switchgear (GIS). The EconiQ DTB and GIS are expected to be released at the end of 2022, on track with the company’s roadmap.

“This 420 kV breakthrough is a demonstration of our technology that is reliable and scalable to reach ultra-high-voltage levels with the lowest carbon footprint,” says Markus Heimbach, Managing Director, High Voltage Products within Hitachi Energy. “We are enabling our customers and the industry as a whole to rapidly transition to eco-efficient solutions to advance a sustainable energy future for all,” he added.