Industrial natural air as an insulation alternative to SF6 in the electrical industry

New alternatives are breaking into the market to face a future free of SF6 and other fluorinated gases, as a result of the commitment to a sustainable energy transition

The need for greater electrification of our economy through a sustainable approach has redoubled the already strategic weight of the electrical equipment goods industry, which is immersed in a moment of enormous value contribution to achieving the decarbonization objectives of our society. In this sense, and due to the different directives promoted by the European Union to reduce the impact of human activity on the environment, new regulations applied to fluorinated gases, including SF6, and their use by different industries and economic agents – among which are manufacturers of electrical switchgear in a small percentage compared to the rest of uses in other industrial and economic activities – is leading this industry to adapt to a future scenario free of these gases.

These types of gases are used by the electrical industry as part of the dielectric solution to ensure the use and handling of some electrical equipment such as distribution cells. This GIS (Gas Insulated Switchgear) technology has been essential for the industry for decades, guaranteeing both the security of the electricity supply and that of the network operators, as well as the tightness of the gas and its recovery after the end of the product’s useful life, and is now evolving towards a scenario where alternatives to SF6 must take over.

The revolution of industrial natural air as a GIS insulation alternative to SF6  

Thus, among the main insulation media presented by the most relevant companies in the market, those capable of doing so while guaranteeing the least possible changes and inconvenience to network operators, in addition to similar technical and operational characteristics, are the more crucial and competitive given their solvency in adapting the electrical grid to the future without making significant changes. This is where insulation through the use of industrial natural air appears, a type of insulation applied to the technology developed by Ormazabal, among other manufacturers, and which uses the gases existing in the atmosphere to, after an industrialization phase, serve as insulation for the distribution cells, banishing the presence of humidity in the environment and ensuring correct insulation to avoid situations of overvoltages or electric arcs.

The main industrial advantage of this technological alternative is that it is a patent-free option, which allows its scalability and accessibility for the electrical industry. Furthermore, the key that makes this solution proposed by Ormazabal the most comprehensive for the network is that Ormazabal has been able to implement it while maintaining the same design, operational, and usage parameters as those used in SF6 insulation. As such, Ormazabal’s range of fluorinated gas-free solutions for primary and secondary distribution networks up to 24 kV has become one of the most anticipated since the first alternatives appeared.

Ormazabal’s fluorinated gas-free solution

As part of its commitment to leading the sustainable transformation of electricity grids, Ormazabal has invested a decade in technological research to develop an innovative comprehensive insulation alternative without the use of SF6 as a dielectric gas. This alternative is manufactured in a controlled and tested manner, using only air components and is commercially accessible and patent-free. This guarantees a lower environmental impact on our planet and complies with the new European regulation on fluorinated gases in line with climate neutrality objectives.

Ormazabal’s technological alternative has been very well received by the the market thanks to maintaining, after more than 10 years of continuous research, the design, operation and maintenance parameters of the current equipment that enjoys proven experience for more than 30 years; making this one of the most complete solutions on the market at all levels.

And the Ormazabal technological proposal guarantees ZERO changes in the design, operation and maintenance parameters; as well as ZERO uncertainties in health, safety, reliability and operation.

Thus, the following characteristics stand out in Ormazabal’s fluorinated gas-free solutions for secondary and primary distribution:

• Natural gas

  • Natural air components
  • Industrially manufactured
  • Fully accessible

• Minimum filling pressure

  • Known behavior
  • Tightness tested

• Easy operation and exploitation

  • Innovative switch-disconnector
  • Proven technology circuit breaker

• Dimensions

  • Similar footprint
  • Optimized dimensions

• Digital native

  • Sensors
  • Automation

This launch is aligned with Ormazabal’s strong commitment to the European objectives of climate neutrality and the well-being of the population, promoting the electrification of society. Challenges that are part of its DNA and in which it actively collaborates through the digitalization of the electricity grid, which facilitates the connection of electric mobility, storage, and renewable energy infrastructures.

Do you want to know about Ormazabal’s ZERO solutions for the electricity grid?

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