As the global demand for reliable and efficient power distribution continues to soar, the electric power industry has witnessed a transformative shift towards innovative technologies that address the challenges of space constraints, environmental resilience, and operational efficiency. At the forefront of this revolution stands the remarkable gas insulated switchgear (GIS), a cutting-edge solution that is redefining the landscape of power transmission and distribution.

Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) is a type of switchgear used in medium voltage systems where gas serves as the insulating medium. Important using areas of GIS are using switchgear in heavy conditions like humidity, dusty areas. Especially humidity is very big problem for insulation of electrical parts. Also, GIS is particularly preferred in locations with limited space, such as city centers, industrial plants, and offshore platforms, due to its more compact and secure design.

Unveiling the Essence of Gas Insulated Switchgear

Gas insulated switchgear is a sophisticated electrical equipment encapsulated in a metal housing and filled with a specialized dielectric gas (before climate concerns, SF6-gas was generally preferred) to provide exceptional insulation and protection. This innovative design sets GIS apart from its traditional counterpart, the air-insulated switchgear (AIS), by offering a compact, reliable, and low-maintenance solution for power systems.

SF6 gas, once widely used in medium voltage switchgears due to its excellent insulating and arc-extinguishing properties, has increasingly been abandoned due to environmental concerns. SF6 is a potent greenhouse gas with a global warming potential thousands of times greater than CO2, which significantly contributes to climate change when released into the atmosphere. Additionally, the production and disposal of SF6 can be hazardous, and managing leaks from equipment has proven challenging.  As Aktif Elektroteknik, our important solution is dry air gas insulation instead of SF6.

The Changing Landscape of SF6 Regulation – A Global Overview

The Anatomy of a GIS System

A gas insulated switchgear system comprises a range of essential components that work in harmony to ensure the seamless control and safeguarding of electrical power.

Circuit Breakers (CB): Serving as the primary switching and protection devices, circuit breakers monitor faults and swiftly interrupt currents to isolate problematic sections, shielding the rest of the system from potential damage.

Earthing Switches (ES): These switches establish a safe connection between the busbars and the grounding grid, enabling the de-energization of sections for maintenance work and limiting voltage stresses during earth faults.

Disconnecting Switches (DS): Disconnector switches are isolating the main energized busbars from individual feeders, transformers, and circuit breakers, allowing for safe maintenance and servicing.

Current Transformers (CT): Current transformers step down high currents to lower, easily measurable values, enabling current monitoring, meteringand the initiation of protective relaying.

Voltage Transformers (VT): Voltage transformers reduce system voltages to standardized nominal levels, facilitating voltage monitoring, relaying and the metering of power parameters.

See Products: AGIS – Gas Insulated Primer Switchgears (SF6 Free)

The Advantages of Gas Insulated Switchgear

The exceptional features of gas insulated switchgear make it a standout choice in the power distribution landscape, offering distinct advantages over traditional air-insulated technologies:

Compact Size: By utilizing the superior dielectric properties of gas, GIS systems can be designed with a significantly smaller footprint, reducing the required installation space and minimizing the need for extensive civil works.

Enclosed Design: The fully encapsulated nature of GIS protects the live components from environmental stresses, such as humidity, dust, corrosion, and radio interference, ensuring uninterrupted service and extended equipment lifespan.

High Reliability: The stable insulating environment of the gas used for insulation ensures an impressively high annual reliability, with GIS systems showing durability even under severe climatic conditions and system disturbances.

Enhanced Safety: Unlike air, the gas used for insulation is non-flammable and does not support combustion, virtually eliminating the risk of fire hazards and arc flash incidents, thereby enhancing the safety of both the equipment and personnel.

Versatile Applications of Gas Insulated Switchgear

The remarkable advantages of gas insulated switchgear have made it a sought-after solution for a wide range of power distribution applications, catering to diverse industries and environments:

Industrial Townships

In heavy industrial settings, such as petrochemical plants, where uninterrupted power supply is critical and space is at a premium, GIS excels as the preferred choice for reliable and compact power distribution.

Underground Substations

Within densely populated urban centers, gas insulated switchgear enables the installation of minimal-footprint substations beneath roadways and buildings, addressing the challenge of limited surface space.

City Building Extensions

As cities expand vertically with the construction of high-rise structures, GIS supports the reliable distribution of power through elevated ring main units that occupy minimal physical space.

Offshore Platforms

The robust and weatherproof design of gas insulated switchgear makes it a preferred choice for power distribution in offshore platforms, where it can withstand harsh environmental conditions and ensure reliable operation.

Renewable Energy Integration

GIS systems play a crucial role in seamlessly integrating renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, into the electric grid, ensuring the reliable and efficient transmission of clean energy.

Navigating the Landscape of GIS Manufacturers

In the dynamic world of power distribution, several leading manufacturers have established themselves as pioneers in the development and production of advanced gas insulated switchgear solutions. Among these industry leaders, Aktif Elektroteknik stands out as a global force, offering a comprehensive range of GIS systems tailored for diverse applications.

AGIS SF6 Free Gas Insulated Switchgear

In the ever-evolving landscape of electrical engineering, sustainability and environmental protection are gaining unprecedented attention. One of the key areas where significant strides are being made is in the development of SF6-free gas insulated switchgear (GIS). AGIS, a leader in this field, is pioneering solutions that not only meet the highest technical standards but also align with global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Understanding SF6 and Its Environmental Impact

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) has been widely used as an insulating gas in switchgear due to its excellent dielectric properties and high stability. However, SF6 is a potent greenhouse gas, with a global warming potential (GWP) approximately 23,500 times that of CO2. The release of even small quantities can significantly impact the environment. Consequently, the push for alternatives to SF6 has become a critical objective in the industry.

Fact: A Critical Decision from the European Union

The EU has been actively working to mitigate the climate impact of fluorinated gases (F-gases), including SF6 used in switchgear, by revising existing legislative frameworks. This effort culminated on January 29, 2024, when the Council of the EU announced its approval of new regulations aimed at phasing down F-gases to reduce their contribution to global warming, aligning with the Paris Agreement.

Fluorinated greenhouse gases are human-made chemicals that are very strong greenhouse gases, which are often several thousand times stronger than carbon dioxide (CO2) has been stated once again in the regulation.

The table presented in the report clearly shows how high the GWP of SF6 gas is and the fact that its damage to nature can be reduced as soon as possible.

The maximum amount of hydrofluorocarbons allowed to be placed on the Union market in a given year is as follows:

SF6 usages will be banned after 2026 for below 24 kV and after 2030 for 36 kV for new facilities according to EU Regulations.

AGIS SF6-Free GIS: Innovation and Performance

AGIS has risen to this challenge by developing SF6-free gas insulated switchgear, utilizing alternative gases with lower environmental impact. These innovative solutions maintain the reliability, efficiency, and safety standards that the industry demands, while significantly reducing the carbon footprint.

Embracing the Future of Power Distribution

As the global landscape of power generation and distribution continues to transform, the role of gas insulated switchgear becomes increasingly pivotal. This cutting-edge technology not only addresses the pressing challenges of space constraints and environmental resilience but also paves the way for a future where power systems operate with unparalleled efficiency, reliability, and safety.

By harnessing the exceptional features of GIS, power utilities and industrial stakeholders can unlock new possibilities, optimize their infrastructure, and contribute to the collective efforts towards a sustainable energy future. As the industry continues to evolve, the adoption of SF6-free gas insulated switchgear stands as a testament to the ingenuity and forward-thinking approach that will shape the power distribution landscape for decades to come.