Electricity and Control October 2022

ENERGY MANAGEMENT + THE INDUSTRIAL ENVIRONMENT : PRODUCTS + SERVICES

Eco-efficient switchgear supports the energy transition

At CIGRE Session 2022, Hitachi Energy launched the world’s first eco-efficient 420 kV circuit breaker. This is the first SF 6 -free 420 kV circuit breaker fully tested in terms of the IEC and IEEE standards for 63 kA, 5 000 A, 50 and 60 Hz. The breakthrough technology marks a signifi cant milestone in Hitachi Energy’s accelerated EconiQ™ high voltage portfolio roadmap, which was announced at CIGRE Session 2021. For over two decades, the company has been in vesting in eco-efficient alternative solutions to sulphur hexafluoride (SF 6 ) including the world’s first 170 kV eco-efficient gas-insulated switchgear (GIS). It uses this game-changing technology in its EconiQ high voltage portfolio, to eliminate SF 6 , which is a greenhouse gas. Over time, it has successfully increased the voltage lev els of the EconiQ high voltage portfolio. The launch of the EconiQ 420 kV circuit breaker also marks a key milestone in the industry – enabling the transmission of large amounts of electricity over long dis tances while eliminating significant volumes of SF 6 . 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 expect

ed to be released at the end of 2022, on track with the compa ny’s roadmap. Markus Heimbach, Managing Director, High Voltage Products at Hitachi Energy, says, “This 420 kV breakthrough is a demon

stration of our technology, which is reliable and scalable to reach ultra-high-voltage levels with the lowest carbon footprint. We are enabling our customers and the indus try as a whole to transition more rapidly to eco-efficient solutions to advance a sustainable energy future for all.” 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 core of its purpose and is advancing a sustainable energy future for all. Its high voltage portfolio also includes EconiQ Retrofill, another world first in replacing SF 6 in existing high voltage equipment, and EconiQ gas-insulated current transformers. The EconiQ high voltage technologies are being widely adopted by key customers in Europe.

Hitachi Energy has launched its EconiQ SF 6 -free 420 kV circuit breaker.

For more information visit: www.hitachienergy.com

OCTOBER 2022 Electricity + Control

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