The Blue portfolio – a cleaner future is here
Switching to Zero F-gases: there’s Zero time to lose
While everyone is now aware of the threat posed by climate change, there is still an alarming lack of urgency when it comes to decarbonization.
Global carbon emissions are not falling. In fact, they hit an all-time high of 37.1bn metric tons in 2021. The need to act fast cannot be overstated, especially in the energy sector which has a greater carbon impact than every other industry combined.
Renewable energy sources are only part of the solution. It is essential that we achieve Zero Global Warming Potential (GWP) in the transmission of power as well as in its generation.
This means eliminating F-gases from electrical switchgear as soon as possible. Most switchgear still uses SF6 for insulation – a gas 24,300 times more climate-hostile than CO2 and one which stays in the atmosphere for up to 3,200 years. The new F-gas alternatives are also harmful to the environment when released.
With viable clean alternatives such as our Blue portfolio already in operation, F-gases are no longer needed. Legislation can play an important part here, and the EU is currently considering new regulations to curb their use. But the key to tackling the situation is forming partnerships.
No single company or organization has all the answers. All industry stakeholders – companies, governments, scientists, even competitors – need to join forces. That’s why we have already formed a number of such partnerships, which you can read more about here.
Less global warming potential is not good enough. It has to be Zero, because 1% global warming potential is still global warming potential. It has to be Zero and it has to be now.
We’ve seen the future. And it’s Blue.
As these two videos show, the clean air technology used in our Blue switchgear is the only viable and sustainable way forward.
The case for clean air
Blue vs. the alternatives
Future-ready, future-proof, Zero compromise
What makes electrical switchgear ‘future-proof’? It has to meet the following key criteria. And our Blue switchgear meets each one without compromise.
Zero environmental impact
- Zero SF6 and other F-gases
- Zero GHG emissions and Zero GWP
- Long lasting design (> 40 years) and circular materials
Zero impact on health & safety
- Zero toxic insulation gases
- Zero toxic decomposition products
Zero regulation & special handling
- Zero reporting & accounting of gases required
- Zero issues with current & potential F-gas regulation
- Zero special safety measures
- Zero gas disposal required at end of life
Zero compromise on performance
- Voltages from 72.5 to 145kV
- Highest short-circuit switching capability with Zero degradation
- Full performance down to -60°C
- Maintenance-free interrupter unit („sealed for life“)
The Blue portfolio: not just Zero F gases, but Zero reduction in performance
Our Blue products use vacuum switching technology and clean air insulation to produce Zero harmful emissions – and without having to compromise on performance or economic feasibility. With over 10 years of experience in high-voltage vacuum switching, we have been able to maintain outstanding levels of technical performance and low lifecycle costs while reducing our ecological footprint to an enormous extent. Blue is already the perfect choice for substation products. And with the help of our strong partnerships, we can develop and implement it even further and faster.
Presenting Zero: the Blue portfolio
8VM1 wind tower Blue GIS® up to 72.5 kV
Gas-insulated switchgear for application in wind turbines, with vacuum circuit breaker and clean air insulation. Optimized for its special application end of life treatment.
8VN1 Blue GIS up to 145 kV
- World’s first 145 kV GIS with vacuum circuit breaker and clean air insulation
- Optimized footprint by using LPIT
3AV1 Blue dead tank CB up to 145 kV
- World’s first 145 kV DT vacuum circuit breaker with clean air insulation
- Same footprint as SF6 products due to identical connections and main dimensions
3AV1 Blue live tank CB up to 145 kV
- World’s first 145 kV LT vacuum circuit breaker with clean air insulation
- Same footprint as SF6 products
Blue gas-insulated busduct for 420 kV
- World's first busduct with clean air insulation, for voltages of 420 kV
- Up to 60% F-gases can be saved
Blue switchgear: making an impact through Zero impact
Zero-emission, Zero-harm Blue technology is already making significant contributions to many decarbonization projects around the world – as these examples demonstrate:
Introducing a Blue 420 kV SF6-free solution
Developing a 420 kV SF6-free solution isn’t easy. But it is possible. And it’s available now, because climate change demands we act now to reduce the GWP of high-voltage products to Zero. Siemens Energy is supplying SSEN with a 600 m gas-insulated busduct which cuts out 3 tons of SF6, by using clean air insulation instead, which is the equivalent of 75,000 tons of CO2. Connecting new renewable generation to the grid by operating at 420 kV voltage level. A significant step towards reducing the use of F-gases to Zero.
Wind energy. Made even greener by our Blue switchgear.
Could offshore wind power be any cleaner? Actually, yes – when the turbines are fitted with Blue switchgear from Siemens Energy, delivering Zero F-gases and Zero GWP in transmission. Our 8VM1 Blue GIS is a success story of which we recently delivered no. 1000! This bay was one of 160 delivered to the world's largest wind farm, bringing Zero emissions to the renewable energy of the Netherlands.
Being CO2-neutral is the future and the target for our customers in the offshore wind market, as it is for us at Siemens Energy.
How Blue is bringing Day Zero to Bergen Port
The picturesque port of Bergen in western Norway is a great attraction for cruise ships. However, these vessels used to power up in the harbour using their diesel engines – generating smog which lingered around the mountains surrounding the city. Now, thanks to BKK Nett and Blue switchgear technology, the ships use only clean power – with Zero greenhouse gas emissions, Zero F-gases and Zero pollution. Even better, Blue switchgear manufactured in the Berlin factory is made using only renewable energy. The aim is sustainability from the start; Day Zero from day one.
We managed to make the change in Bergen despite having restricted space in our substations. The station has now been in operation for a year, and the experience is what we expected: problem-free.
Netze BW, Burladingen (Germany)
Close cooperation with Netze BW was essential to the development of their new high-voltage substation in Burladingen, southern Germany. It is the first in the world to be ecoefficient, to operate without SF6 and to use digitalization to achieve new levels of connectivity. Both parties have gained enormously from the project in terms of acquiring knowledge – but of course the biggest beneficiary will be the planet.
The innovation level in this project is very high. The substation of the future is a bold step for us, that requires trust.
With Siemens Energy we have found a reliable partner that offers innovative products with absolutely Zero climate-harming fluorinated gases.
The medium-term replacement of the insulating gas SF6 is an essential component of the decarbonization strategy of our EON Group. We therefore welcome the activities in industry to develop alternative products in order to be able
