Teams mark progress on installation of eco-friendly grid technology
Teams from SSEN Transmission and its supply chain partner GE Vernova have marked progress on the installation of SF6 -free circuit breaker technology at Kintore substation, part of ongoing efforts to remove the powerful greenhouse gas from grid infrastructure.
Staff involved in the installation of GE Vernova’s SF6-free 420 kV g3 gas insulated switchgear (GIS) and gas insulated busbar (GIB) toured the Aberdeenshire site, where the equipment will form a key part of plans to upgrade the substation to 400 kV operation in support of national clean energy ambitions.
Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) is a powerful greenhouse gas that has been a mainstay in electrical switchgear for decades, where its unique properties make it incredibly effective as an insulator and switching medium. But it is also a greenhouse gas many times more powerful than CO2 and there are global efforts to phase out its use.
GE Vernova’s pioneering technology replaces SF6 insulating gas with g3 – which results in a 99 % reduction of the gas contribution to carbon emissions caused by SF6, while maintaining the same dimensions and level of performance. SSEN Transmission will be among the first transmission operators in the world to adopt the technology, having placed the world’s first order for the 420 kV g3 GIS.
Work to install GE Vernova’s 420 kV g3 GIB has already started, with the delivery of the 420 kV g3 GIS due in the coming months. The company has also supplied a separate 16-bay 145 kV g3 GIS, which has been installed as part of the Kintore Phase 3 – 132 kV Asset Replacement Project. This will move into the commissioning phase in the coming weeks.
While capable of operating at the higher voltages of 420 kV and 145 kV, the g3 equipment will be used on SSEN Transmission’s 400 kV and 132 kV network and comes as part of its wider decarbonisation ambitions. The company was the world’s first transmission operator to be accredited by the Science Based Target initiative for carbon reduction targets that are consistent with net zero.
Senior Project Manager, Kevin Hutton, said: “It was a pleasure to join colleagues involved in this innovative project for a tour of Kintore substation, where world-first g3 technology will form an important part of vital upgrades to the transmission network that will deliver clean, renewable energy to homes and businesses across the UK.
“GE Vernova’s 145 kV GIS has already been delivered and installed, and for many of those involved it was the first time they’ve had the opportunity to see the equipment on site, where installation of the new GIB is taking place ahead of the arrival of the 420 kV GIS.
“As one of the first transmission operators in the world to use this technology we are immensely proud of the work we’re doing to remove SF6 from our network, decarbonising our operations in line with our science-based carbon reduction target.
“The installation of this technology is another big step towards the full energisation of Kintore substation in 2026.”
Bertrand Portal, Power Transmission Marketing Leader at GE Vernova’s Grid Solutions business, said: “The world’s first 420 kV SF6-free contract with SSEN Transmission has been instrumental in advancing our g³ GIS program. We would like to highlight the outstanding contributions of the SSEN Transmission team in the specification and development of our new SF6-free GIS.
“We are honored to advance this partnership collaboration while spearheading efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and encourage even greater industry cooperation to support the transition to a more decarbonised future.”