Schneider Electric, the leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, which was named the world’s most sustainable corporation by Corporate Knights Global 100 Index in February 2021, believes is that ‘pure air is the best gas’, as it joins eight other leading electrical transmission and distribution (T&D) equipment manufacturers committed to innovate beyond the use of F-gases.
As the most sustainable corporation (Corporate Knights, 2021), Schneider Electric continues to pursue every opportunity to help its customers decarbonize faster. Reducing the use of SF6 and F-gases in energy networks and buildings helps address the climate emergency and environmental concerns and achieve ambitious net zero targets faster.
With a global warming potential that is 25,000 greater than CO2, and reliable technologies available to replace this gas in switchgear safely and effectively, T&D manufacturers recognize the need to limit SF6 and F-gas emissions and have committed to deploy technologies enabling the phase out of fluorinated and PFAS-gases.
Schneider Electric has developed sustainable medium-voltage technologies, such as SM AirSeT MV switchgear or RM AirSeT MV combining pure air for insulation and vacuum for breaking, and has successfully implemented pilots with leading energy companies including Engie, E.ON, GreenAlp, and more recently ATM in Italy.
Read the full joint statement below.
A joint statement of T&D equipment manufacturers
The recently published 6th Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report shows the seriousness of the climate crisis. Human activity is changing the climate in unprecedented and sometimes irreversible ways. The electrical transmission and distribution (T&D) industry has an opportunity to lead society’s response to deliver infrastructures that are targeting climate-neutral objective to underpin the transition to net zero emission economies. The clean transport of low-carbon electricity is an essential element of national decarbonization plans, which will underpin the sustainable economies of the future. In conjunction with decarbonized power generation using renewable energy sources, it is vital to do the same for T&D power grids upon which the system relies. For over 50 years, the recognized insulation and switching performance as well as proven and stable characteristics of SF6 have contributed to the reliability, efficiency, and resilience of power network facilities, enabling compact equipment for all voltage classes. However, because SF6 has a global warming potential over 25,000 times greater than CO2, action is now required to achieve truly sustainable power grids. To enable this change, we need to limit the SF6 emissions and install new electrical equipment using clean reliable and non-toxic alternatives. As equipment manufacturers, we embrace our responsibility to society and are fully committed to the net zero goal. Each of the undersigned has already developed or is in the process of developing T&D equipment completely free of fluorinated gases. The phase-out of fluorinated and PFAS-gases (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in electrical T&D equipment, where alternatives are available, would accelerate progress toward a more sustainable future. Each of the undersigned is committed to delivering T&D equipment free of fluorinated-gas and PFAS-gas needed to enable this transition. The first F-gas free products are successfully in operation, and each of the signing companies is committed to close the remaining portfolio gaps in the upcoming years in order to deliver on science-based net zero targets (SBTI) that companies are setting. These products will help deliver our own company health and climate commitments while enabling environmental improvements. You are welcome to join in delivering this ambition and building truly sustainable clean power grids for a climate-neutral future. The undersigned will continue to develop, manufacture, sell, and service independently. This statement shall in no way create any joint responsibility or liability or any form of cooperation or joint venture.
