Dielectric solutions for solid insulating components in eco-efficient medium-voltage switchgear

Innkapslete, gassisolerte koblingsanlegg for mellomspenning er sentrale enheter i primære og sekundære distribusjonsnett. Bryterne og lederne i disse kompakte anleggene er spenningssatte på flere titalls kilovolt. Elektrisk isolering av de spenningssatte delene i bryteranlegget oppnås typisk ved bruk av svovelheksafluorid (SF6)-gass. SF6-gassen har enestående elektriske isolasjonsegenskaper, men den er dessverre også en ekstremt sterk drivhusgass. Å erstatte SF6 med miljøvennlige gasser i hele produkt-porteføljen for mellomspenning krever avanserte isolasjonsdesign. Dette prosjektet sikter mot å forbedre isolasjonsegenskapene i SF6-frie mellomspente koblingsanlegg ved å ta i bruk innovative utforminger av de faste isolasjonsmaterialene i anlegget. SINTEF og NTNU har studert elektriske utladninger langs isolerende flater ved hjelp av eksperimenter og simuleringer. Dette arbeidet har resultert i fundamental kunnskap og produktrelatert kunnskap som kan anvendes spesifikt for ABBs produkter. Tre masterstudenter ved NTNU har vært involvert i prosjektet. SINTEF har bidratt med veiledning av studentene, og relevant simuleringsarbeid. Fire artikler i vitenskapelige tidsskrift og én konferanseartikkel er blitt publisert i prosjektet. ABB har gjennomført flere utviklingstester for å utforske isolasjonsegenskapene til de nye produktene.

The innovations in the proposed R&D project consist of implementation of novel insulation solutions and design criteria in new SF6-free switchgear modules from ABB Electrification Norway AS. The new products will safeguard and increase ABB's MV switchgear market share and strengthen ABBs environmental profile. The knowledge and competence developed in ABB Electrification Norway AS and SINTEF/NTNU will be vital for the development of next generation gas insulated switchgears. The project contributed to the technological development required for the transition to a low-emission electrical grid and strengthen Norwegian industry in a competitive international market. The project results were published in 4 scientific journal papers and one conference paper .

ABB Electrification Norway AS in Skien manufactures 12, 24 and 36 kV gas insulated compact switchgears for the world market. These switchgears have traditionally used sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) as the main electrical insulation, which is a highly potent greenhouse gas (23 000 times stronger than CO2). Restrictions on the use of SF6 gas are in a planning phase by the EU commission and currently undergoing a public consultation process. Through earlier collaborative research, ABB has brought an SF6-free switchgear portfolio to the market, replacing SF6 with air (for 12 kV) and mixtures of air and C5-fluoroketone (for 24 kV) under the trade name AirPlus™. In order to meet future market demands and to comply with upcoming EU regulations, ABB must extend its SF6-free portfolio with 12 & 24 kV switchgear modules with fuses (referred to as F-panels) and also future SF6-free 12/24/36 kV models with enhanced ratings and lower costs. The less efficient insulation properties of air and AirPlus™ compared to SF6 creates a major challenge for the development of the new SF6-free switchgear modules. ABB will, in collaboration with SINTEF Energy Research and NTNU, use direct numerical simulations and ultrafast imaging experiments to optimize the design of solid insulating parts in new SF6-free 12/24 kV F-panel switchgear modules. The F-panel concept design will be prototyped and tested in the project. This project addresses thematic priority area 2 - renewable energy, area 3 - the energy system and markets and area 4 - energy consumption and conversion in the ENERGIX work programme by pushing the development of the SF6-free technology for MV switchgears forward. ?Cooperation between the ABB, SINTEF and NTNU ?is essential to meet the project goals.