The recently published sixth Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report shows the seriousness of the climate crisis. Human activity is changing the climate in unprecedented and sometimes irreversible ways. The electrical transmission and distribution (T&D) industry has an opportunity to lead society’s response to deliver infrastructures that are targeting climate-neutral objective to underpin the transition to net zero emission economies.
The clean transportation of low-carbon electricity is an essential element of national decarbonisation plans, which will underpin the sustainable economies of the future. In conjunction with decarbonised power generation using renewable energy sources, it is vital to do the same for T&D power grids upon which the system relies. For over 50 years, the recognised insulation and switching performance as well as proven and stable characteristics of SF6 have contributed to the reliability, efficiency, and resilience of power network facilities, enabling compact equipment for all voltage classes. However, because SF6 has a global warming potential over 25 000 times greater than CO2, action is now required to achieve truly sustainable power grids. To enable this change, we need to limit the SF6 emissions and install new electrical equipment using clean reliable and non-toxic alternatives.
As equipment manufacturers, we embrace our responsibility to society and are fully committed to the net zero goal. Each of the undersigned has already developed or is in the process of developing T&D equipment completely free of fluorinated gases. The phase-out of fluorinated and PFAS-gases (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in electrical T&D equipment, where alternatives are available, would accelerate progress toward a more sustainable future. Each of the undersigned is committed to delivering T&D equipment free of fluorinated-gas and PFAS-gas needed to enable this transition.
The first F-gas free products are successfully in operation, and each of the signing companies is committed to close the remaining portfolio gaps in the upcoming years in order to deliver on science-based net zero targets (SBTI) that companies are setting. These products will help deliver our own company health and climate commitments while enabling environmental improvements.
You are welcome to join in delivering this ambition and building truly sustainable clean power grids for a climate-neutral future. The undersigned will continue to develop, manufacture, sell, and service independently. This statement shall in no way create any joint responsibility or liability or any form of cooperation or joint venture.
Soo Hwang, President and CEO, ILJIN Electric Company; John Paserba, Vice President, Power Systems Group, Mitsubishi Electric Power Products; Nobuaki Tamaki, Director and Senior Managing Executive Officer, MEIDENSHA Corporation; Dr Fabian Lemke, Co-founder and CEO, Nuventura GmbH; Dr Ulf Katschinski, Senior Vice President, Transmission Switching Products and Systems, Siemens Energy Global GmbH and Co KG; Melton Chang, Senior Vice President – Medium Voltage LoB, Schneider Electric; Stephan May, CEO of Distribution Systems at Siemens Smart Infrastructure, Siemens AG; Koji Saito, Vice President, Director Grid Aggregation Division, Toshiba Energy Systems and Solutions Corporation; Masanori Osumi, General Manager, Switchgear department T and D Systems Centre, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation.
Contact Chika Yamada, Toshiba Africa, Phone 011 305-2820, chika.yamada@toshiba.co.za, www.toshiba.co.za
