National Grid goes green in world first substation gas trial
One of National Grid's substations will be the first in the world to use a new 'green' environmentally friendly alternative to SF gas when it is energised this month.
3rd February 2017 by Networks
The transmission operator has been working with GE Energy Connections to utilise the company’s green gas for grid in the 420 kV gas-insulated busbar at National Grid’s Sellindge substation.
The new green gas reduces the impact on global warming by 98% compared to the standard SF gas commonly used in a high voltage gas-insulated system.
If the trial is proved successful it will be rolled out to all of National Grid’s substations in due course.
Four other TSOs have initiated the use of GE’s gas from 2017 onwards.
GE has created the gas in conjunction with 3M by combining 3M’s Novec 4710 Dielectric Fluid (4%) and carbon dioxide (96%). The project is being partly funded through Ofgem’s innovation funding.
Mark Waldron from National Grid said: “We are always looking at ways of becoming more sustainable and reduce our impact on the environment.
“This is a big step forward for us in trialling a more environmentally friendly alternative to SF6 and we are considering all options to reduce the usage of this gas in the future.”
Giuseppe Sottero, general manager, Gas Insulated Substations at Grid Solutions said: “Utilities wanting to take the step to reduce their greenhouse gas potential now have an option to SF6.
“g3 is an important tool in the quest for reducing the electrical industry’s impact on the environment.”
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