Posted to News on 29th Sep 2020, 08:31
Schneider Electric to phase-out SF6 from its products by 2025
Removing SF6, a potent greenhouse gas, set to prevent the equivalent of about 4 million tons of CO2 emissions per year
Schneider claims to be pioneering a shift towards the use of SF6-free technology which replaces the currently used gas with pure air. SF6 is commonly contained in electrical equipment whihc is used to power the grid and also in industrial electrical installations. However, because of its global warming potential it has been listed in the Kyoto Protocol, (the international treaty committing UN parties to reduce greenhouse gas emissions) and is increasingly becoming the subject of climate-focused regulations and efforts.
David Hall, VP Power Systems UK&I at Schneider Electric saya, “Schneider Electric is currently developing a pure air-insulated and vacuum SF6 alternative for the UK market. We are looking to be ready with an alternative for when a ban becomes effective in the UK, to help our customers across various industries begin the transition to SF6-free – from utilities to industry, buildings, data centres and more.”
“Schneider has already secured 14 patents with 10 more patents pending for our SF6-free solution. Our CEO, Jean-Pascal Tricoire, has stated that all of our products will be ready for SF6-free by 2025. And with a piece of switchgear lasting for up to three decades, we believe it’s worth taking the time to perfect and future-proof the design to make it right for our business partners, people and planet.”
Schneider Electric recently launched a switchgear development combining pure air and vacuum technology. The first green switchgear range, SM AirSeT, has already been recognised in the Industrial Efficiency Awards category, “Energy Economy” at the 2020 Hannover Messe trade fair and received a prestigious iF Design Award earlier this year.
This announcement comes at the start of Climate Week NYC, the annual climate summit that runs in co-ordination with the United Nations and the City of New York (USA). At the summit, Jean-Pascal Tricoire, Schneider Electric’s Chairman and CEO, will participate and discuss how the Group reinforces its 2019 Carbon pledge together with its customers and partners.
