Schneider Electric has announced that it will phase-out SF6, a potent greenhouse gas, from its products by 2025. Through this action, Schneider Electric will prevent the equivalent of about four million tons of CO2 emissions per year.
Schneider is pioneering the shift towards SF6-free technology which replaces the gas with pure air. SF6 is commonly contained in electrical equipment used to power the grid and industrial electrical installations, but due to its Global Warming Potential (GWP), it has been listed in the Kyoto Protocol, an international treaty committing UN parties to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and is increasingly becoming the subject of climate-focused regulations and efforts.
David Hall, VP Power Systems UK&I at Schneider Electric said, “Schneider Electric is currently developing a pure air-insulated and vacuum SF6 alternative for the UK market. We are looking to be ready with an alternative for when a ban becomes effective in the UK, to help our customers across various industries begin the transition to SF6-free – from utilities to industry, buildings, data centres and more.”
“While other SF6-free gas and liquid alternatives are already available today, true innovation takes time. Schneider has already secured 14 patents with 10 more patents pending for our SF6-free solution. Our CEO, Jean-Pascal Tricoire, has stated that all of our products will be ready for SF6-free by 2025. And with a piece of switchgear lasting for up to three decades, we believe it’s worth taking the time to perfect and future-proof the design to make it right for our business partners, people and planet.”
Schneider Electric recently launched a switchgear innovation combining pure air and vacuum technology. The first green switchgear range, SM AirSeT, has already been recognised by industry experts with the Industrial Efficiency Awards category, “Energy Economy” at the 2020 Hannover Messe trade fair and received the prestigious iF Design Award earlier this year.
This announcement comes at the start of Climate Week NYC, the annual climate summit that runs in co-ordination with the United Nations and the City of New York (USA). At the summit, Jean-Pascal Tricoire, Schneider Electric’s Chairman and CEO, will participate and discuss how the Group reinforces its 2019 Carbon pledge together with its customers and partners.
For more information on Schneider Electric’s sustainability journey and SDGs contribution, visit http://sdreport.se.com
