Siemens Energy seals largest order for SF6-free gas-insulated switchgear in Europe

2021-4-29 Siemens Energy

 Siemens Energy has been awarded a contract to deliver ten bays of sulfur hexafluoride(SF₆)-free gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) to Fingrid, Finland’s transmission system operator.

It will be the first GIS in Finland that replaces SF₆ as the most potent greenhouse gas in the world with “clean air”, a pure mixture of nitrogen and oxygen with zero potential for global warming. It represents Siemens Energy’s largest order for SF₆-free high-voltage GIS in Europe to date.

Fingrid decided to modernize the 110-kilovolts(kV)-switchgear in Virkkala substation in Lohja, located 60 kilometers west of Helsinki, so that it operates without any climate-harming gases. The GIS of type 8VN1 from Siemens Energy’s SF₆-free Blue portfolio will ensure safe, climate-neutral, and reliable power transmission operation by using vacuum interrupters for switching and clean air as insulation medium, leading to an improved switching performance, simplified operation and maintenance while meeting highest health and safety standards. Commissioning is scheduled for summer 2022.

“Fingrid seeks to be a frontrunner when it comes to the replacement of SF₆ in transmission operations. Modernising the existing SF₆-insulated 110 kV switchgear in Virkkala with a new one operating without SF₆ gas is the first step on our strategic roadmap toward phasing out SF₆ as insulating gas. Total reduction of SF₆ gas at Virkkala substation will be 2.500 kg equal to 57.000 tons of CO2. With Siemens Energy we have found a reliable partner that offers innovative products with absolutely zero climate-harming fluorinated gases,” said Timo Kiiveri, Senior Vice President at Fingrid.

“We at Siemens Energy are proud that Fingrid has chosen our technology for their first SF₆-free GIS. With its zero global warming potential our Blue portfolio is the most environmentally friendly switching technology available and will reliably support Fingrid in systematically phasing out SF₆ as an insulating gas,” said Beatrix Natter, Executive Vice President Transmission at Siemens Energy.