Sulphur Hexafluoride and regulatory changes

Sulphur Hexafluoride and Regulatory Changes

Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) was discovered by French chemists Henri Moissan and Paul Lebeau. They synthesized SF6 by reacting sulfur with fluorine gas. SF6 has excellent electrical insulating and arc-quenching properties, making it widely used in electrical transmission and distribution equipment such as circuit breakers, switchgear, and transformers.

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SF6 is commonly used as an electrical insulator in high-voltage applications due to its high dielectric strength. It effectively prevents electrical discharges and arcing, which helps maintain the integrity and safety of electrical equipment. Its high density also allows for compact designs of electrical devices.

Additionally, SF6 is known for its exceptional thermal conductivity and chemical stability, which further contribute to its suitability in high-voltage applications. It remains stable and does not decompose under normal operating conditions, ensuring long-term performance and reliability of electrical equipment.

Europe Moves to Phase Out Electrical SF6

Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) gas is colorless, odorless, non-toxic, and five times denser than air. It’s also the world's most potent greenhouse gas, with a global warming potential 25,200 times that of CO2.

With such a significant climate change impact, questions arise regarding its relevance in a decarbonized electrical industry. However, the electrical industry still relies on its excellent electrical insulation properties to prevent short circuits in medium- and high-voltage electrical installations, which could otherwise lead to damage, disruption, fire, or explosion.

Sulphur hexafluoride is one of the well-known "F-gases." The EU has banned many of these gases, and the use of SF6 has been previously prohibited in applications ranging from double glazing insulation to inflating fashionable trainer soles.

But while SF6 can still be deployed in switchgear to ensure electrical safety and reliability, changes are on the horizon. In recent developments, the European Commission has proposed that SF6 should be banned from most new electrical equipment as early as 2026 for switchgear up to 24kV and for higher voltages by 2030, as part of its broader F-gas reduction plans.

Brussels recognizes that to green our electricity supply, removing SF6 is also necessary—a viewpoint supported by various green Euro-groups who advocate for an earlier phase-out.

For now, SF6 gas is widely deployed in circuit breakers and switchgear in power stations, wind turbines, and electrical sub-stations to quench arcs and stop short circuits. It has a reliable track record, and maintenance requirements are low. This is particularly advantageous if your electrical equipment, for instance, is part of a mega-wind turbine in the North Sea. SF6 also provides compact gas-insulated switchgear, which is ideal for space-constrained applications.

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Following an EU Report, the Commission has concluded that there is no technological barrier to eliminating SF6 in new medium voltage (MV) and up to 145kV for certain high voltage (HV) installations. In fact, for MV primary and secondary switchgear, increasingly cost-effective and compact alternatives to SF6 are already available from leading providers like ABB, Eaton, and Schneider.

These providers use alternatives such as mixed gas, air/solid, and vacuum technology. Earlier this year, GE Grid Solutions announced a framework contract with the UK’s SP Energy Networks for the supply of 145kV “g3” SF6-free circuit-breakers.

Finding suitable alternatives to SF6 for higher voltage applications is more challenging. Even when feasible, the alternatives tend to be more expensive than SF6, and the Commission is monitoring the situation. Ongoing activities include GE’s EU-funded roadmap to extend SF6-free switchgear up to 420kV.

Despite its massive global warming potential, the atmospheric concentration of sulfur hexafluoride is only a tiny fraction of CO2 (SF6 contributes around 0.8% to overall global warming). However, its concentration has nearly doubled over the last two decades, partly due to operational leaks.

Given the risk of releases during SF6 gas recovery, it seems impractical to remove most existing SF6 switchgear. Instead, ensuring that gas does not escape during ongoing electrical equipment operation and decommissioning is vital. The Environment Agency oversees UK rules on effective gas recovery, which is necessary when switchgear fails or degrades.

The European Commission is carefully handling the phase-out of SF6 because switchgear is a critical application. The alternative technologies increasingly offer functionality and performance, easy maintenance, and no significant end-of-life challenges. Importantly, they also provide future legal compliance and positively impact the carbon footprint.

Switchgear manufacturers will continue to develop viable SF6 replacements beyond currently achievable voltages. Utilities and other customers may now plan for an SF6-free future for electrical switchgear.

The Commission's proposal to ban SF6 may have implications beyond network supply. For example, commercial buildings that switch to MV to support fast electric vehicle charging could also go SF6-free and provide even greener vehicle charging, reduce their reported carbon footprint, achieve easier green building certification, and future-proof their electrical systems.

Paul Reeve is Director of CSR at ECA and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry.

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