The use of SF6 in medium-voltage electrical equipment below 24 kV will be prohibited from 2026. The latest proposed updates to the European Commission's F-gas regulation include new deadlines and guidelines for the distribution sector and the use of medium-voltage gas-insulated switchgear (MV GIS). Below is an overview of how the latest guidelines affect the designation, installation, and maintenance of SF6 MV GIS.
F-gas Regulatory Update Guidelines
Fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-gases) are a family of man-made gases used in many important industrial applications. The most destructive is SF6 (sulfur hexafluoride), whose impact on global warming is 25,200 times that of carbon dioxide. However, it also possesses unique dielectric properties, making it an extremely popular electrical insulation solution in power systems and widely used for current interruption in power transmission and distribution.
The use of fluorinated gases (F-gas) was first regulated in 2006 when the European Union (EU) adopted its initial F-gas regulations. This led to a stabilization of EU F-gas emissions by 2010, although at this time, SF6 alternatives for primary GIS were not readily available on the market. The initial legislation was amended in 2015, setting a deadline of 2030 to reduce fluorinated gas emissions in the region by two-thirds compared to 2014 levels.
With new regulatory proposals released in April 2022 set to come into effect before the end of the decade, and more suitable alternatives available on the market, the EU hopes to gain further momentum in this process.
If adopted, the new amendments will prohibit the use of LTZ-40.5 Indoor High Voltage SF6 Circuit Breaker in medium-voltage electrical equipment below 24 kV from 2026 and below 52 kV from 2030.
Although the European Parliament will hold consultations, stakeholder meetings and debates over the next 12 to 18 months to finalize the proposal, the proposed regulation banning the use of SF6 in new projects is expected to become law.
Impact of F-gas Regulations on Power Distribution
Current F-gas regulations stipulate prudent management practices for operating SF6 switchgear, focusing on preventing leaks, maintaining records, and using certified technicians to handle switchgear containing more than 6 kg of SF6. However, new EU regulations will mandate all newly installed SF6-free switchgear.
This will result in a considerable period of coexistence between newly installed SF6-free products and the existing global SF6 GIS installation base. However, operators should not use this as a reason to delay their migration to sustainable switchgear.
Environmental Impact of SF6
From an environmental perspective, SF6 has a global warming potential tens of thousands of times greater than carbon dioxide. It is also a very stable chemical with an atmospheric lifetime of 3,200 years, even with reduced usage.
However, from a financial perspective, this also makes sense. If organizations wait until the last minute to find alternatives to SF6 switchgear, they are more likely to experience longer delivery times or higher costs once the change takes effect.
Migrating to an SF6-Free Future
The first step for any business considering migrating to an SF6-free future is education. Understanding market changes and available solutions to help you succeed is an important starting point. Webinars, consultations, demonstrations, and documentation are all proactive ways to broaden an organization's understanding of the subject. Manufacturers of SF6-free switchgear can provide information on available options.
Pilot Replacement Switchgear Technology
Piloting replacement switchgear is the next logical step. There are two main replacement technologies-one based on maintaining a low-voltage design, requiring the use of a new insulating gas above 12 kV; the other using compressed air across the entire voltage range, but with a significant increase in pressure above 12 kV.
At high voltages, the consequences of pressure loss differ, and in the worst case, it can lead to internal arcing faults, resulting in equipment damage and power outages.
If organizations have sufficient time to complete pilot tests and analyze the performance of different solutions without rushing, then the third phase of their migration-specification-can be relatively straightforward. Operators should discuss their needs with manufacturing partners. In some cases, they can even accelerate the process by upgrading before the technology enters the open market.
Finally, it's time to perform volume installations for all new projects, and this should be done as early as possible.
With legislation looming, more and more organizations are starting to develop volume specifications for SF6-free GIS. Partnering with the most experienced vendors and embedding your SF6-free GIS volume specifications well in advance after your pilot is complete will allow you to better comply with regulatory changes once they take effect.
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