SF6-free medium-voltage technology for sustainable and safe power grids

In power supply and grid technology, operators are increasingly relying on environmentally friendly, SF6-free switchgear to sustainably modernize power grids and safely integrate renewable energies.

Activity and operational challenges
Regensburg Netz, a subsidiary of the energy supplier REWAG, operates the power grid infrastructure in the region. With the expansion of renewable energies, the demands on the performance of the power grid are continuously increasing. At the same time, European regulation of F-gases increasingly demands the phasing out of climate-damaging SF6 gases. A particular challenge was to efficiently modernize the existing infrastructure in an existing switchgear building where only a very limited amount of space was available.

Improvement objectives
The primary objective of the project was to ensure sustainable power distribution and a consistently high level of security of supply. The company was looking for a compact solution that could be integrated into the existing building without having to construct extensive new facilities. In addition, the risk of failure for the critical infrastructure was to be reduced, redundancy increased, and flexible switching options created in grid operation.

Selected technical solution
Schneider Electric was selected as the technology supplier. The choice fell on the GM AirSeT Performance gas-insulated medium-voltage switchgear, which is equipped with a double busbar concept. This SF6-free solution uses pure air as the insulating medium in combination with proven vacuum switching technology. Energy distribution takes place via two independent busbar systems. In addition, the system is characterized by a compact design and a shallow installation depth.

^{Deployment and support}
The planning and implementation of the system took place in close cooperation between Regensburg Netz, Schneider Electric, and the infrastructure service provider Omexom. Due to the integration into an existing building, the installation was associated with specific technical requirements; among other things, an additional pressure relief channel was implemented during deployment. The technology itself was largely developed by Schneider Electric at its Regensburg site and now serves as a reference for further projects.

Quantifiable results
Thanks to the double busbar concept, grid operation now benefits from high redundancy and more flexible switching options. Maintenance work can be carried out more easily, thereby reducing the risk of power supply failures. The compact switchgear enabled the efficient continued use of the existing premises without new construction. The project successfully demonstrates how decarbonization and security of supply can be combined in practice and how modern grid architectures can be realized to meet the requirements of the energy transition.

Edited by Maria Brueva, Induportals editor – adapted by AI.

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