To secure the future of our planet and society, we need an energy system which is reliable, efficient, and sustainable in every aspect: in production, transmission, and distribution. To meet the EU’s goal to become the first climate‑neutral continent by 2050, industry players must significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition to environmentally responsible technologies.
One major challenge lies in eliminating the use of fluorinated gases (F‑gases) in high-voltage switchgear – especially SF₆, the most potent of all greenhouse gases. The EU F‑gas regulation mandates a phased ban on all F‑gases with a GWP ≥ 1 – effectively requiring industry to adopt fully F‑gas‑free technologies.
For the construction of its new rolling mill, Elbe-Stahlwerke Feralpi (ESF) set out to create a 100% climate‑responsible power supply infrastructure. This required the installation of a high‑voltage substation using no F‑gases at all, while ensuring industrial‑level performance, reliability, and safety.
