New F-gas regulation
The European Union wants to reduce the use of fluorine-containing gases (F-gases), such as SF6, by tightening the existing legislation, in order to reduce the amount of harmful substances entering the atmosphere. This tightening process ended on January 29, 2024, when
the Council of the EU announced that it will give the green light to new regulations aimed at the gradual elimination of F-gases in order to contribute to slowing down global warming in order to meet the objectives of the Paris Agreement on climate change.
The tightening of regulations on the use of SF6 gas has been due for some time, but only at the end of last year was a temporary agreement between the European Council and the European Parliament, according to which medium-voltage switchgear using sulfur hexafluoride gas will be phased out and then banned from 2026. In the coming months, it will become more and more obvious what specific tasks the stricter regulation imposes on individual member states and network operators.
Getting to know the new rules
New EU regulations binding in the member states will soon enter into force. It will then be the responsibility of the member states to implement the regulations at national level. In practice, this means that the electricity industry has two years to prepare for the implementation of the relevant legislation,
since from January 2026, the law will prohibit the use of medium-voltage switchgear based on new SF6 in the 24 kV and below categories. Similar bans are also planned for higher voltage SF6-based switchgear.
- With the official adoption of the new F-gas regulation, network operators should start assessing their existing SF6 switchgear.
- If they see that a piece of equipment is soon due for replacement – for example because it is reaching the end of its service life – it is worth choosing an SF6-free alternative now.
- Looking to the future, the contracts for the purchase of new switchgear whose fulfillment is due after January 2026 must be reviewed, as it will no longer be possible to purchase new switchgear based on SF6 after this date.
Schedule
After the assessment of the existing SF6-insulated switchgear and the identification of the equipment to be replaced, the available alternatives must be examined taking into account the technical and economic aspects, then the investment costs (CAPEX), the operating costs (OPEX), and the total investment and operation knowing the cost (TCO), it is necessary to develop the further strategy.
This consists of developing and implementing a transition plan that prioritizes leaky and end-of-life equipment. The long-term goal of the strategy is not only to ensure legal compliance, but also to exploit the business benefits of switching to SF6-free switchgear. The proper handling and disposal of SF6-based switchgear at the end of their life cycle further minimizes the environmental impact, and this aspect should not be overlooked either.
Tamás Fehér, an expert at Eaton Hungary, told our paper.
Environmental considerations
The transition to sulfur hexafluoride-free solutions not only ensures that companies comply with their obligations under European legislation, but also that they contribute to the achievement of environmental sustainability goals by significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The transition will help companies to take their part in the circular economy and to a greater extent contribute to the achievement of the objectives of the EU Green Deal and the Paris Climate Agreement. The company can refer to the transition in its corporate social responsibility (CSR) messages, emphasizing its commitment to sustainability and innovation. The elimination of SF6 is particularly important in electrical infrastructure that supports renewable technologies, such as solar power plants, since the use of renewable energy sources primarily serves to reduce emissions of all kinds. That is why special attention must be paid to the switching equipment chosen for this type of technology.
Let’s move on
The transition to SF6-free switchgear in Europe is a vital step towards increased environmental responsibility, and grid operators have a key role to play in this step.
The development and implementation of a strategy for the gradual introduction of sulfur hexafluoride-free switchgear is not only a necessity, but also an opportunity for European distribution system operators to gain business benefits by adopting the innovation of switchgear and at the same time – and this is of crucial importance – reduce the environmental impact of their operations. effect
– concluded Tamás Fehér.
