Hitachi Energy Press Release.  

Hitachi Energy announced today that it will deliver China's first SF₆-free 420 kV dead tank breaker (DTB) to the State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC). This groundbreaking achievement marks a significant step in decarbonizing the power grid and aligns with China's ambitious target of achieving carbon neutrality by 2060.

SGCC is the world's largest utility company, serving over 1.1 billion people across 88 percent of China's national territory. As a leader in the energy sector, SGCC made a strong commitment to sustainability and developed an ambitious action plan for carbon neutrality.

The SF₆-free 420 kV DTB is part of EconiQ, Hitachi Energy's eco-efficient portfolio for sustainability where products, services, and solutions are scientifically proven to deliver exceptional environmental performance. By replacing sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆) with a sustainable gas mixture, the breaker eliminates the greenhouse gas emissions caused by SF₆ while maintaining the same reliable performance and compact design as the conventional solutions.

With a growing portfolio of eco-efficient high-voltage products, Hitachi Energy is well-positioned to meet the increasing demand for sustainable and reliable power grid solutions. The EconiQ high-voltage series includes SF₆-free live tank breakers (LTA) for 72.5 kV, 145 kV and 420 kV voltages, gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) for 72.5 kV, 145 kV, 420 kV and 550 kV voltages, gas-insulated lines (GIL) for 420 kV voltage, DTB for 420 kV and 550 kV voltages, and retrofill for GIL for 420 kV voltage. This comprehensive portfolio empowers utilities to integrate sustainability into their existing infrastructure or new installations, paving the way for a truly decarbonized future. As of today, Hitachi Energy has deployed over 1,000 EconiQ high-voltage units in 26 countries.

Markus Heimbach, Managing Director of Business Unit High Voltage Products at Hitachi Energy commented, "China's first SF₆-free 420 kV DTB represents a major milestone in our journey to provide sustainable and efficient power grid solutions, and we're pleased to collaborate with SGCC on this pioneering project. This technology strengthens critical infrastructure while significantly reducing the environmental impact of the power system. By leveraging our expertise in high-voltage technology, we are addressing the industry's demand for reliable and eco-efficient high-voltage switchgear and helping to accelerate the transition to a more sustainable, flexible, and secure energy system."

Hitachi Energy has been providing SGCC with 145 kV EconiQ eco-efficient GIS and LTA products since 2022.

EconiQ portfolio is sustainability-oriented in design to deliver a superior environmental performance compared to conventional solutions. Hitachi Energy has placed sustainability at the heart of its Purpose and is advancing a sustainable energy future for all. Its high-voltage portfolio also includes EconiQ Retrofill, a world's first in replacing SF6 in existing high-voltage equipment.