- The latest EU F-gas regulation proposal proposes 2026 and 2030 as the time points for a phased implementation of the ban on sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) in medium voltage gas-insulated switchgear (GIS)
- In the field of medium-voltage power distribution, the EU fluorinated gas regulation proposal clearly proposes that SF6 will be banned in power distribution equipment of 24kV and below after 2026, and SF6 will be banned in power distribution equipment of 52kV and below in 2030
- The White Paper “Opening the next stop, a green and sustainable future” shares expert advice on how to respond to the upcoming changes to the EU’s F-gas regulations
Recently, the European Union published a proposal for regulations on fluorinated gases. In this context, ABB officially released the white paper “Opening the next stop, a green and sustainable future” to support engineers in realizing key changes in environmental protection.
EU F-Gas Regulation Proposal proposes critical timing for banning SF6 in medium-voltage electrical equipment, including newly installed SF6 gas-insulated switchgear, aimed at reducing emissions of potent and harmful greenhouse gases including sulphur hexafluoride , in order to achieve a two-thirds reduction in emissions by 2030 compared to 2014. SF6 is a currently used but environmentally harmful insulating gas that is 25,200 times more potent than carbon dioxide. The development of alternatives to SF6, such as the pioneering ABB ecoGIS™ range of environmentally friendly products, is paving the way for the implementation of this regulation.
In the field of medium-voltage power distribution, the EU fluorinated gas regulation proposal clearly states that SF6 will be banned in power distribution equipment of 24kV and below after 2026, and SF6 will be banned in power distribution equipment of 52kV and below in 2030. And the proposed regulation also pointed out that only when there is a solution that can meet the GWP (Global Warming Potential) <10 can be applied, can it be prohibited to put SF6-containing power distribution equipment on the market in this way.
Many SF6-free projects have been successful since 2015, thanks to the reliable low-pressure design in medium-voltage gas-insulated switchgear from 12 kV to 40.5 kV. Based on this industry expertise and accumulation, this white paper guides readers through the corresponding Steps complete the transition to SF6-free. It includes all key dates from the latest EU F-gas regulation proposal, in-depth case studies, a “four-step” approach to sizing an environmentally friendly alternative to medium-voltage gas-insulated switchgear, and expert views on why F-gases are harmful to the environment.
Dr. Maik Hyrenbach, Senior Principal Engineer at ABB, said: “This is the point in time when we just learned that the EU is proposing to ban SF6 medium-voltage gas-insulated switchgear, which means that companies that have not yet started an environmentally friendly alternative must act now.”
ABB white papers cover what engineers and specifiers need to know to be able to successfully conduct product selection, piloting and specification transitions. It also includes information on the certified SF6-free ABB AirPlus™ gas-insulated switchgear; ABB has made this technology publicly available for other manufacturers to meet EU F-gas regulations as soon as possible.
As a pioneer in the field of sustainable development of switchgear, ABB is using its accumulated experience and innovative knowledge re
