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Statements of Manufacturer and Utility Associations

Declaration on the use of SF6 in connection with electrical switchgear and substations in Germany

Prepared by
  • Vereinigung Deutscher Elektrizitätswerke e.V. (Association of German Electric Power Utilities – VDEW)
  • Zentralverband Elektrotechnik- und Elektronikindustrie e.V. (Confederation of the German Electrical Engineering and Electronics Industries – ZVEI)

Produced with the involvement of
  • ABB Calor Emag Schaltanlagen AG
  • AEG Energietechnik GmbH
  • Neckarwerke AG
  • RWE Energie AG
  • Siemens AG
  • SOLVAY Fluor und Derivate GmbH.

Action taken by German switchgear/substation manufacturers and operators to limit emissions
Knowing that SF6 is a very effective greenhouse gas in the atmosphere, manufacturers and operators of switchgear/substations work on the principle that emissions of SF6 shall be avoided wherever^possible. For the construction, installation, operation and maintenance of SF6 switchgear and substations, state-of-the-art precautions are accordingly taken in order to avoid SF6 emissions. This also applies to the production, transport and storage of SF6 and to all measures involved in its re-use, reprocessing or disposal:
  • Gas compartments are continuously monitored to ensure that any leaks involving SF6 emissions are detected and eliminated at an early stage.
  • The manufacturers guarantee a leakage rate of the empirically ascertained figure of approx. 0.5 % p.a.
  • Used SF6 is always either re-used directly, or – in normal cases – purified on the spot, and re-used in a closed system.
  • SF6 producers (e.g. SOLVAY) guarantee to take back used SF6 and arrange for it to be re-used SF6 which cannot be re-used is disposed of by environmentally compatible procedures. SF6 producers will provide relevant information on request.
  • All staff dealing with SF6 receive regular information and training.
  • Maintenance work is performed only by properly qualified staff.
  • Statistics of the quantities produced and supplied are kept by the producers of SF6 gas, while the manufacturers and users of switchgear and substations keep record of consumption figures and inventories. The SF6 producers and professional associations of manufacturers/users of switchgear and substations (ZVEI and VDEW) provide, on request, the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Reactor Safety and the Federal Environmental Agency with the statistical data required for their work. These data are used to compile an annual SF6 monitoring report, containing information on the use of SF6 in the field of electrical switchgear and substations in Germany.

SF6 as an insulating and extinguishing gas in switchgear and substations for transmitting and distributing electricity
  • Usage: In Europe about 900 t p.a., in Germany about 300 t p.a. (100 t domestic use and 200 t for export).
  • Stocks: About 1000t in installations run by the German power utilities and industrial companies. Top-up quantities (leakage and handling) < 1%.
  • Utilization: In enclosed and monitored systems, leakage rate 1% p.a. guaranteed, empirically ascertained figure 0.5 % p.a.
  • System lifetimes: At least 35 years, probably 40 – 50 years.
  • Emissions: Emitted gas quantities slight, caused mainly in the past by improper handling during production, testing and maintenance, with negligible amounts due to leaks and operational malfunctions.
  • Re-use: SF6 is recovered and re-used.
  • Disposal: SF6 can be disposed of by safe and environmentally compatible procedures.
  • New technologies: Not available in the short and medium term. A better alternative to SF6 as an insulating and extinguishing agent in terms of technology, cost-efficiency and ecology is not known at present. Other technical solutions for breakers based on semiconductors or superconductors are not available at the time.

Advantages of SF6 technology in terms of ecology and safety
High insulating and breaking capabilities
  • Enables conurbations and industrialized regions to be supplied with a high energy density
  • Low noise emissions

Small-size switchgear and substations
  • Up to 90 % savings in space and materials
  • Options for locating substations in urban and industrial districts close to their consumers
  • Indoor installations mean aesthetically attractive options for town planners

Technically simple all-inclusive systems for power supply
  • Low resource consumption
  • Independent of outdoor climatic conditions

Low susceptibility to faults, low failure probability
  • High operator safety, thanks to shockproof metal enclosure
  • Low maintenance outlay, thanks to independence from climatic conditions and almost non-ageing insulation
  • High supply dependability

Long useful system lifetimes
  • Conservation of raw materials and energy resources
  • Simple disposal

Power supply with low energy losses in the supply system
  • More freedom in selecting a location for the substation
  • Reduced emissions in connection with power transmission
  • Conservation of primary energy resources

Non-flammable, non-toxic insulating agent
  • Reduced fire load
  • No ecotoxological potential
  • No ozone damage

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