g3 Green Gas for Grid (1/2)

(A) Overview of usual solutions

Sulphur Hexafluoride (SF6) is an excellent insulator. It is widely used in

the electrical industry in high-voltage (HV) equipment that is used to
transmit electricity and protect the substation. However, SF6 is also a
greenhouse gas, listed in the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, with a potentially
significant impact on global warming

NF3 740 17 200

(B) Synthetic description of the innovation

Until now, at high voltage, there was no economical alternative to SF6

that featured equivalent switching and voltage-withstand capabilities.
Alstom is the first in the world to launch a clean alternative to SF6 for
HV applications.
Alstoms SF6-free solution has an extremely low global warming
potential (GWP) compared to SF6, with a 98% reduction of the SF6
GWP. It is safe to handle and has no impact on ozone depletion.

(C) Impacts in terms of reduction of carbon emissions by 2020

Global annual SF6 emissions from electrical equipment

are reported by ECOFYS : 1,600 t to 2,800 t SF6
-> if g3 can cover 80% of the SF6 applications, this makes
a global maximum potential of 36 to 63 millions teq CO2
avoided per year

63 millions tons
of CO2 avoided
per year by
2020
g3 Green Gas for Grid (2/2)

(D) Major roadblocks and first policy recommendations

What are the major existing roadblocks to the innovation ?

Market Acceptance
Low carbon market pricing
Lobbying pressure (i.e Australia has repealed its carbon tax)
What are the main conditions for its development ?
R&D funding for manufacturing
Carbon market
regulatory incentives