Hitachi Energy unveiled the world’s first eco-efficient 420 kV circuit-breaker in conjunction with CIGRE Session 2022. This breakthrough technology marks a significant milestone in its accelerated EconiQ high-voltage portfolio roadmap which was announced at the CIGRE event.
For over two decades, the company has been investing in eco-efficient alternative solutions to sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) including the world’s first 170 kV eco-efficient gas-insulated switchgear (GIS). The EconiQ high-voltage portfolio uses a game-changing technology that eliminates SF6, a greenhouse gas. Over time, it has been successful in continuously increasing the voltage levels of its EconiQ high-voltage portfolio.
The EconiQ 420 kV circuit-breaker marks a key milestone in the industry to transmit large amounts of electricity over long distances while eliminating significant volumes of SF6.
This innovation is the key enabler to achieving a wide range of EconiQ switchgear applications and will be used in both dead tank breaker (DTB) and gas-insulated switchgear (GIS). The EconiQ DTB and GIS are expected to be released at the end of 2022, on track with the company’s roadmap.
“This 420 kV breakthrough is a demonstration of our technology that is reliable and scalable to reach ultra-high-voltage levels with the lowest carbon footprint,” says Markus Heimbach, Managing Director, High Voltage Products within Hitachi Energy. “We are enabling our customers and the industry as a whole to rapidly transition to eco-efficient solutions to advance a sustainable energy future for all,” he added.
EconiQ is Hitachi Energy’s eco-efficient portfolio for sustainability, where products, services and solutions are proven to deliver exceptional environmental performance. Hitachi Energy has placed sustainability at the heart of its Purpose and is advancing a sustainable energy future for all. Its high-voltage portfolio also includes EconiQ Retrofill, another world’s first in replacing SF6 in existing high-voltage equipment and EconiQ gas-insulated current transformers. The EconiQ high-voltage technologies are widely adopted by key customers in Europe.
The world’s first fully tested SF6-free 420 kV circuit-breaker where all relevant tests described in the IEC and IEEE standards for 63 kA, 5000 A, 50 and 60 Hz have been successfully performed.
About Hitachi Energy
Hitachi Energy is a global technology leader that is advancing a sustainable energy future for all. It serves customers in the utility, industry and infrastructure sectors with innovative solutions and services across the value chain. Together with customers and partners, it pioneers technologies and enables the digital transformation required to accelerate the energy transition towards a carbon-neutral future. The company advances the world’s energy system to become more sustainable, flexible and secure whilst balancing social, environmental and economic value. Hitachi Energy has a proven track record and unparalleled installed base in more than 140 countries. Headquartered in Switzerland, the company employs around 38 000 people in 90 countries and generates business volumes of approximately US$10 billion.
https://www.linkedin.com/company/hitachienergy
https://twitter.com/HitachiEnergy
Contact Jocelyn Chang, Hitachi Energy, jocelyn.chang@hitachienergy.com , https://www.hitachienergy.com
