Tuesday, August 5, 2025
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
  • Terms & Conditions
Environmental Magazine
Advertisement
  • Home
  • News
  • Climate Change
  • Energy
  • Recycling
  • Air
  • Fossil Fuels
  • Water
No Result
View All Result
Environmental Magazine
  • Home
  • News
  • Climate Change
  • Energy
  • Recycling
  • Air
  • Fossil Fuels
  • Water
No Result
View All Result
Environmental Magazine
No Result
View All Result
Home Air

EU project aims to curb release of world’s most potent GHG

February 1, 2024
in Air
A A

gas-insulated-switchgear

A major new Horizon Europe project is seeking to reduce the release of a greenhouse gas with a global warming potential more than 25,000 times higher than CO2.

The contributors include the University of Aberdeen’s Professor Dragan Jovcic, who brings to the table his expertise in High Voltage DC (Direct Current) switchgear.

Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) has historically been used in a variety of applications, from metal smelting to filling double-glazing panels, but the electricity industry is one of the few places where it’s still used today – due to the technical challenges in replacing it.

A synthetic, odourless gas, SF6 is used to keep grid networks running safely and reliably, accounting for around 80% of its global use*.

It is used to insulate the live electrical parts and in circuit breakers to switch the flow of electrical current on and off. Renewable technology also uses the gas – for example, switchgear for wind turbines use it to prevent overloads. Leaks can occur when handling the gas or as a result of defective seals in the installations where the gas is used.

And as the world moves away from carbon and towards electrification, the demand for components like switchgear is expected to grow, potentially doubling of the banked volume of SF6 by 2030 if executed with traditional technology.

To address this, new solutions are required in the areas where SF6-free switchgear alternatives are not yet available.

The Aberdeen HVDC (High Voltage Direct Current) research team will join 12 partners from nine countries in an EU project MISSION, an Innovation Action co-funded by the European Union through Horizon Europe and the UKRI Horizon Europe Guarantee fund, to develop and demonstrate three new SF6-free switchgear components. One of these demonstrators is Medium Voltage DC Circuit Breaker, which will be developed to commercial product with crucial research input from Aberdeen HVDC research centre.

They will work alongside leading industry players including switchgear manufacturers, grid operators, DC system developers and research institutes to demonstrate the use of technology in extreme climates and to explore reliability and cost-effectiveness.

Professor Jovcic said: “Modernisation of electrical grid infrastructure will be crucial in our transition to clean energy. Electrification lies at the heart of decarbonisation and we will need expanded electrical networks to meet growing electricity demand from industry, transport and buildings.”

“But this brings other significant challenges, including how to eliminate the use of SF6 and address critical technology gaps like development of new components for DC grids.

“DC (direct current) electrical systems have not been much utilised since AC (alternating current) system have been preferred with traditional overland power transmission and conventional electricity generation. However, AC power can only be transmitted over relatively short distances with subsea cables, and as we look increasingly to offshore wind or tidal technology to meet growing demand, solutions are needed to create high-voltage direct current (HVDC) connections and to eventually develop an HVDC grid.

“Our research at the University of Aberdeen has played an important role in the advancement of this technology and we are delighted to be part of the European MISSION project which seeks to enable emission-free energy transmission in a resilient and sustainable AC and DC electrical grids. This technology may play significant role in future Scottish energy systems, as we work on developing electrical SF6-free infrastructure for integration of Scotwind and many other large offshore wind energy projects

Atle Pedersen, the leader of the new EU project and research manager at SINTEF Energy, said: “There is a technology gap here that requires attention, and it’s fortunate that we’ve secured funding for research in this area.

“To achieve the widespread electrification necessary for reducing global greenhouse gas emissions, we must enhance our systems to efficiently connect and transfer more renewable energy into the power grid, particularly from offshore wind sources.”

ShareTweetSharePinSendShare

Related Articles

Air

Air filter mimics mucus-coated nasal hair

July 30, 2025
Air

Non-road machinery decarbonisation – operators share perspectives

July 23, 2025
Air

Ceremony opens the construction phase of Port Talbot EAF

July 16, 2025
Air

Report calls for ‘urgent, coordinated action’ by the Government to tackle air pollution

July 4, 2025
Air

Ships trigger high and unexpected emissions of methane

July 3, 2025
Air

Net zero planning platform to unlock investment in the West of England

June 25, 2025

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recommended

In Final Rock Springs Resource Management Plan, BLM Sticks With Conservation Priorities, Renewable Energy Development

August 28, 2024

Electrified Transport Investment Soared Globally in ’23, Passing Renewable Energy

January 30, 2024

Don't miss it

Fossil Fuels

New Data Center Proposals Would ‘Kill’ Michigan’s Strong New Climate Laws

August 4, 2025
Energy

Virginia’s Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate Embraces Renewables, Natural Gas and Community Planning for Data Centers

August 3, 2025
Energy

Sweden, an Early Climate Leader, Is Retreating From Its Environmental Commitments, Part of an EU Trend

August 3, 2025
Fossil Fuels

BLM Calls New Oil and Gas Rules ‘Noncontroversial,’ Exempts Them From Public Comment

August 1, 2025
News

Landfill Tax reforms could trigger shortage of aggregates, says trade group

August 1, 2025
Fossil Fuels

EPA Delays Compliance with Methane Rule, Fulfilling Oil and Gas Industry’s Request

July 31, 2025
Environmental Magazine

Environmental Magazine, Latest News, Opinions, Analysis Environmental Magazine. Follow us for more news about Enviroment and climate change from all around the world.

Learn more

Sections

  • Activism
  • Air
  • Climate Change
  • Energy
  • Fossil Fuels
  • News
  • Uncategorized
  • Water

Topics

Activism Air Climate Change Energy Fossil Fuels News Uncategorized Water

Recent News

New Data Center Proposals Would ‘Kill’ Michigan’s Strong New Climate Laws

August 4, 2025

Virginia’s Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate Embraces Renewables, Natural Gas and Community Planning for Data Centers

August 3, 2025

© 2023 Environmental Magazine. All rights reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Climate Change
  • Energy
  • Recycling
  • Air
  • Fossil Fuels
  • Water

© 2023 Environmental Magazine. All rights reserved.

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.