Alstom unveils worlds first high-voltage equipment designed to use g3 - SF6-free gas at Hanover Fair

At the 2015 Hanover Fair, Alstom is presenting two first high-voltage applications using g³ (green gas for grid), a gas mixture that can replace SF₆ for high voltage air-insulated (AIS) or gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) applications. SF₆ is a potent greenhouse gas commonly used as an electrical insulator. In August 2014, Alstom became the first company in the world to offer the electrical industry a technically and economically viable alternative toSF₆. 

The first application is a pilot project for a 420 kV g³-insulated busbar¹. Alstom has been awarded a contract by the United Kingdoms National Grid Electricity Transmission PLC to trial, as part of an innovation project, a 420 kV g³-insulated busbar for use at temperatures as low as -25°C. The 300 meter-long line will be located in Sellindge, in the South East of United Kingdom and will be commissioned by mid of 2016. National Grid is strongly committed to managing its environmental impact, actively supporting initiatives to reduce SF₆. By choosing this promising technology as part of its planned network re-enforcement, National Grid demonstrates its investment and efforts towards greener solutions for the grid. 

The second application is a 245 kV current transformer type SKF using g³. This high voltage equipment for outdoor applications, displayed at Hanover Fair, uses g³ as insulation medium, with the capability of reaching temperatures as low as -30°C. The current transformer protects substations by providing accurate and reliable current measurements used for metering. 

After having launched g³ technology less than one year ago, it is a great achievement to present the first g³-enabled high-voltage equipment and be selected by one of our long-standing customers to supply a revolutionary environmentally-sound solution, said Philippe Ponchon, Vice President Product Marketing, Alstom Grid. 

Alstoms SF₆-free solution, g³, is a climate friendly solution with a global warming potential (GWP) 98% lower than the GWP of SF₆, which is at the top of the list of six gasses targeted by the 1997 Kyoto Protocol to reduce greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. Non-toxic and non-flammable, g³ is safe to handle and has no impact on ozone depletion. With technical performances comparable to SF₆, g³ is a suitable technology for the development of a new generation of clean high- and ultra-high voltage equipment. Tests have been successfully performed on actual high-voltage equipment, in compliance with international standards. 

These first applications are precursors to future developments towards larger ranges of g³ insulated high voltage products. 

¹ A gas-insulated busbar is essentially a concentric system of cylindrical enclosures and conductors, insulated with a pressurized gas.

About Alstom

Alstom is a global leader in the world of power generation, power transmission and rail infrastructure and sets the benchmark for innovative and environmentally friendly technologies. Alstom builds the fastest train and the highest capacity automated metro in the world, provides turnkey integrated power plant solutions and associated services for a wide variety of energy sources, including hydro, nuclear, gas, coal and wind, and it offers a wide range of solutions for power transmission, with a focus on smart grids. The Group employs 93,000 people in around 100 countries. It had sales of over 20 billion and booked 21.5 billion in orders in 2013/14. 

Alstom Grid has one clear vision: to develop innovative solutions for a flexible, reliable, affordable and sustainable electrical grid, everywhere. We design, manufacture, install and service the power transmission and distribution products and systems that empower the planets low carbon economy... for now and for the future.

Alstom Grid has over 130 years experience and ranks among the top three in the electrical transmission sector with an annual sales turnover of 3.8 billion. Alstom Grids 17,000 employees are spread across 87 manufacturing and engineering sites worldwide and have one common mission: be our customers trusted partner, from the source to the city.

We are energising a smarter world with Alstom.

Press contacts:

Julie Khoo / Aline Besselièvre (Alstom Grid)
Tel: +33 1 49 01 74 48 / 67 60
julie.khoo@alstom.com / aline.besselievre@alstom.com

Beatrix Fontius (Alstom Germany)
Tel: +49 621 329 2547
beatrix.fontius@alstom.com
 

Website: www.alstom.com 

• SPOTLIGHT ON g3: ALSTOMS ALTERNATIVE TO SF6