GE’s g3 technology accelerates Denmark’s decarbonization efforts

• GE has been awarded a contract from Energinet for two F35g 145 kV SF₆-free g³ gas-insulated substations (GIS)
• g³ substations will be installed at the Amagerværket (AMV) and Vigerslev Koblingsstation (VIK) substations, both in Copenhagen
• Upon completion, AMV will have 22 bays making it the largest gas-insulated substation installation using GE’s g³ gas at the 145 kV level worldwide

Paris, FRANCE – GE Renewable Energy’s Grid Solutions business (NYSE-GE) has been awarded a contract from Energinet, owner, operator, and developer of transmission systems for electricity and natural gas in Denmark, for 31 SF₆-free gas-insulated substation (GIS) bays. These bays, to be installed at the Amagerværket (AMV) and Vigerslev Koblingsstation (VIK) substations in Copenhagen, will reinforce this city’s electrical grid to support its steadily increasing population growth and electrification agenda.

Based on its mission to ensure that the Danish energy system and grids are “prepared for a future with 100% renewable energy”, Energinet selected GE’s industry-leading g³ (pronounced “g”- cubed) gas as a game-changing alternative to SF₆—a potent greenhouse gas. GE’s g³ gas has a global warming potential (GWP) of about 99% less compared to SF₆. Moreover, g³ products have a significantly improved life cycle assessment (LCA) compared with SF₆ products and other alternatives.

The project scope includes the delivery of two ready-to-operate 145 kV F35g double busbar gas-insulated substations using GE’s g³ alternative insulating and switching gas. With 22 bays, AMV will be the largest substation installation using g³ GIS at the 145 kV level to date. The VIK substation will consist of 9 bays.

To date, a total of three Danish utilities – Energinet, Cerius, and Radius Elnet – have installed GE’s g³ products on their electrical grids. It’s a further step forward in Denmark’s plans to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 70% in 2030¹ and become a resource-efficient economy entirely independent of fossil fuels by 2050². To support its greenhouse gas policy, Denmark has imposed a high tax of €577 per kg on SF₆³, making GE’s g³ products even more attractive to its transmission and distribution system operators (TSOs).

“Utility operators in Denmark are very aware of their environmental footprint and the impact it has on their communities and the world around them,” said Eric Chaussin, Senior Executive High Voltage Products Division Leader at GE’s Grid Solutions. “And they aren’t alone. Today, more than 30 leading electrical utilities from 13 European countries and South Korea have already adopted GE’s g³ products for their high voltage networks, avoiding the addition of more than a million tons of CO₂ equivalent to the grid. That’s the equivalent of removing about half a million petrol cars from the road for one year.”

A report from the EU Commission concluded that fluoronitrile-based gas mixtures—such as g³ gas may be the only insulating and switching gas alternative to SF₆ when space is a constraint, such as in urban areas. That’s because fluoronitrile-based gas products feature the same compactness and performance as traditional SF₆ equipment, unlike other SF₆-free solutions.

GE’s g³ gas-insulated products are currently available for live-tank circuit-breakers and GIS up to 145 kV, as well as dual gas-insulated lines (GIL) up to 420 kV. Additionally, in March 2022, GE unveiled the world’s first 420 kV, 63 kA g³ GIS circuit-breaker prototype. For more information on GE’s high-voltage g³ substation equipment and product roadmap.

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