SF-6 Evaluation Lifecycle

SF6 is a greenhouse gas which is widely used in the network equipment, e.g., switchgear for insulation and quenching the arc generated when switching or opening electrical circuits. SF6 is leaked from old or malfunctioning of equipment and contributes greatly to global warming.

This contract seeks to provide insights and to develop a better understanding of a likely increased use of SF6 in the overall energy sector because of Net Zero transition. It is anticipated that in the absence of reliable and cost-effective alternates to SF6 based equipment, particularly at medium/high voltage levels, new SF6 based equipment (switchgear and insulated cables) are likely to be used in large numbers, in new generation, new connections, new transmission and distribution networks and new interconnectors. Even though network companies are committed to reduce the leakage and use of SF6 equipment. However, the scale of transformation required to reach Net Zero, may hinder the use of SF6 alternates, causing long term environmental issues.

The study will seek to fill the knowledge gap and help Ofgem understand how the existing use of SF6 will change with time, because of increased electrification, multiplied offshore wind generation and interconnectors, while working towards Net Zero. There is a need to take a holistic approach (covering all aspects of the energy sector) and an attempt at quantification, potentially through combining different data sets (e.g. energy system data and existing SF6 equipment inventory).