This agreement marks the first Australian deployment to trial Hitachi Energy’s EconiQ high-voltage switchgear by a major transmission utility in Australia, showing a new path toward Sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆)-free energy infrastructure.
Eliminating the most potent greenhouse gas
Sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆) has long been the industry standard for insulation in high-voltage electrical equipment; however, it is a potent greenhouse gas with a Global Warming Potential (GWP) 24,300 times greater than that of CO₂. By integrating EconiQ technology, ElectraNet is effectively future-proofing its assets to drastically reduce its operational carbon footprint.
Delivering SF6-free switchgear
Under this agreement, Hitachi Energy will deploy a suite of eco-efficient solutions designed to maintain maximum grid reliability without the environmental cost. This includes the deployment of three EconiQ Live Tank Circuit Breaker (LTA) 145 kV units and one EconiQ LTA 72.5 kV unit. Beyond meeting immediate needs, this initiative provides a scalable blueprint for other Australian utilities seeking to align with the nation’s 2050 net zero targets.
The EconiQ advantage: Sustainable by design
The EconiQ portfolio is Hitachi Energy’s flagship eco-efficient solution, proven to deliver:
· Decarbonisation at scale: Significant reduction in CO₂ equivalent emissions over the equipment lifecycle.
· Uncompromised reliability: Matches the performance and footprint of traditional SF₆ equipment, allowing for seamless retrofitting.
· Regulatory compliance: Proactively addresses global shifts toward banning high-GWP gases in power grids.
The agreement reflects ElectraNet’s vision to energise South Australia’s clean energy future and with EconiQ, Hitachi Energy is proud to help make that vision a reality.
“South Australia is a world leader when it comes to the clean energy transition and ElectraNet plays a crucial role enabling this. We’re committed to adopting innovative solutions that drive sustainability and reliability across our network. The move towards SF₆-free switchgear is a significant step in reducing our environmental footprint while maintaining the high standards of performance and safety our customers expect. Working with Hitachi Energy allows us to trial advanced technology and ensure it integrates seamlessly into our operations, supporting our broader goal of a cleaner, more resilient energy future,” said Sageran Naicker, Executive Assets, ElectraNet.
“With ElectraNet, we are proud to introduce its first EconiQ switchgear for South Australia, helping to set a new benchmark for sustainable and reliable energy infrastructure, free of SF6,” said Bernard Norton, Managing Director at Hitachi Energy in Australia. He added, “This project marks a new chapter in the State’s decarbonisation efforts, and our partnership with ElectraNet demonstrates what meaningful collaboration can achieve. Together, we are laying the foundation for a more secure and resilient energy future for South Australia.”
Sustainability is at the heart of Hitachi Energy’s purpose to power the world’s energy system to be more sustainable, secure, resilient, and affordable. Now more than ever, pioneering technologies such as EconiQ are paving the way for a truly decarbonized future, free of SF6.
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