Energienetze Steiermark GmbH has once again opted for an F-gas-free medium-voltage switchgear with the climate-neutral insulating medium "Clean Air".
Energy distribution with “Clean Air” technology
Energy supply plays a crucial role on the road to a greener future. In Austria, 100 percent of all electricity consumption is to be covered by renewable energies such as photovoltaics, wind power, hydropower, biomass and renewable gases by 2030. This makes the use of electricity more environmentally friendly – but in the best case scenario for the environment, the distribution of electricity is also climate-friendly.
Energienetze Steiermark GmbH has therefore concluded a three-year framework agreement with Siemens for an F-gas-free medium-voltage switchgear up to 24 kV in secondary distribution, including delivery of the switchgear. The 8DJH24 gas-insulated medium-voltage switchgear from the sustainable blue GIS portfolio is used. This switchgear reduces the CO2 footprint of the system installation, is maintenance-free and enables simple and safe handling.
“Durch den Einsatz von F-Gas-freien Schaltanlagen setzen wir ein weiteres klares Zeichen für Nachhaltigkeit und Innovation. Wir sind stolz darauf, einen positiven Beitrag zum Umweltschutz zu leisten und gleichzeitig die Energiewende mitzugestalten.“
Martin Graf, Vorstandsdirektor Energie Steiermark
“The future of energy supply lies in the use of environmentally friendly technologies. F-gas-free switchgear is a decisive step in this direction. These innovative systems not only offer a sustainable alternative to conventional SF6 switchgear, but also make a significant contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and are part of the Group’s sustainability strategy. By using F-gas-free switchgear, we are sending out another clear signal for sustainability and innovation. We are proud to be making a positive contribution to environmental protection and at the same time helping to shape the energy transition,” says Energie-Steiermark CEO Martin Graf.
The main task of a medium-voltage switchgear is to distribute energy economically and safely. In secondary distribution, the switchgear is located at the interface to lower voltages and the end users. And there are many of them at Energienetze Steiermark: the company supplies over half a million customers with energy, including almost all of Styria’s industry and many commercial enterprises.
Climate impact of F-gases
Until now, sulphur hexafluoride – or SF6 for short – has been used in energy distribution and transmission in the medium-voltage and high-voltage range. Although these F-gases are non-toxic, they are considered extremely harmful to the climate with a climate impact of – depending on the basis of calculation – over 22,000. The climate impact is a value that describes the strength of the climate influence of a substance or process and is usually given in the form of the Global Warming Potential (GWP). The GWP of carbon dioxide is set as a reference value of 1, and other substances are assessed with reference to it.
Until now, F-gases have been used in medium-voltage switchgear because they naturally also have advantages, such as very good heat transfer and electrical insulation properties. However, the European Union has been pushing for the gradual phasing out of SF6 for some time in order to limit its contribution to global warming. As high- and medium-voltage switchgear is still needed, new solutions are required. And the blue GIS 8DJH24 switchgear installed in Styria shows what such solutions can look like. This uses the climate-neutral insulating medium “Clean Air”, which is based on natural components of the ambient air such as nitrogen or oxygen and thus completely replaces fluorinated greenhouse gases.
The 8DJH24 gas-insulated medium-voltage switchgear from the sustainable blue GIS portfolio from Siemens.
With the “blue Switch” – an environmentally friendly three-position switch-disconnector with a vacuum interrupter – Siemens offers a switchgear that does not produce any toxic by-products when switching. This not only ensures insulation capability over the entire service life, but also environmentally friendly recycling of the systems at the end of their life cycle. Under normal operating conditions, the expected service life of blue GIS is at least 40 years – thus preserving natural resources. Sustainability is therefore the focus of the blue GIS switchgear and can be easily verified and traced thanks to the Siemens EcoTech label.
This label simplifies the identification, classification and recording of sustainable products and provides a comprehensive insight into product performance with regard to selected environmental criteria. Siemens uses extensive data provided in the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) to evaluate the life cycle performance of a product based on a set of sound eco-design criteria in the following three dimensions: sustainable materials, optimal use, as well as value recovery and circular economy. Ecodesign criteria include various aspects such as the use of low-carbon materials, the use of sustainable packaging, energy efficiency, durability, information on the circular economy and recyclability.
In addition, the blue-GIS switchgear is equipped with intelligent sensors and standardized interfaces for Electrification X to enable a cost-efficient path towards the digital and sustainable transformation of the electricity grid. A central aspect of Electrification X is the integration of renewable energies and the promotion of energy efficiency measures.
The blue GIS switching system that has now been installed is not the first of its kind in Styria. A sustainable medium-voltage switchgear – here the blue GIS 8DAB12 – from Siemens, which also uses the climate-neutral insulating medium “Clean Air”, has been in use at the Münichtal substation since the end of 2020.
© Siemens
© Siemens
