30 ELECTRIC.IE • The Magazine & Website for the Irish Electrical Industry • Convenience and lifecycle savings Costs may be of less concern to reluctant switchers when viewed over the average lifespan of switchgear, which runs into decades. Over that time, an SF6 option, which may look cheaper at the start, will be burdened by administration, and gas re lls. Handling SF6- lled switchgear requires specialised training and certi cation, but an airinsulated SF6-free alternative in a hermetically sealed enclosure is maintenance-free for at least 25 years. Although many believe the weight of SF6 molecules could prevent dispersion, this is a fallacy. It is dif cult to keep the molecules together. If handled incorrectly, at various points during the manufacture of switchgear, and certainly during end-of-life decommissioning, the molecules could diffuse and escape to atmosphere where they persist for thousands of years. Renewables could make the difference Renewable generation is driving growth in the new switchgear market and this ups the ante in more ways than one. Firstly, it means that much more switchgear will be installed and without the prompt enforcement of the ban that we believe is critical, there will be no barrier to the use of SF6. Secondly, technologies such as wind turbines and solar panels require more frequent switching because of the way they work, which makes more frequent replacement likely. If SF6 is used - even during a transition period – its potential to leak during decommissioning could cause unnecessary additional damage to the environment. Failing to mandate SF6-free switchgear across the EU as early as possible would be a missed opportunity. The switch to renewables is a real chance for the industry to ensconce SF6-free as the technology of choice for electrical switchgear up to, and including, 24 kV. Much remains to be decided, but as the power industry is responsible for 80% of total annual SF6 emissions, electrical industry professionals clearly can do much to prevent further SF6 emissions from adding to what is already a worrisome burden on the environment. If there is a good time to go SF6free, and pre-empt likely new EU regulations, that time is right now. Phil Kane is the Country Manager for Eaton in Ireland, the intelligent power management company that pioneered SF6-free switchgear. Industry News UPS Power problems are no problem when you install a UPS from AES Limited UPS systems Unit 9 Ballymount Court Business Centre Lower Ballymount Road, Walkinstown, Dublin 12 NDF4 Tel: +353 (01) 460 1177 | +353 (01) 450 3371 Email: info@aesltd.ie www.aesltd.ie • Full range available 400VA to 6.4MVA • 400 VA to 10KVA in stock • Next day delivery • Free site surveys • Full software & network adapters • 24/7 maintenance cover ISO 9001:2015
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy Mzk5MjA=