SECO₂ND LIFE GIS Project
With the LIFE project “SECO2ND LIFE GIS” GE Vernova’s Grid Solutions aims to develop a retrofitting solution using a tailored SF₆ gas substitute and deploy it not in new high voltage substations but in GE Vernova’s already installed base of 420 kV SF₆ gas-insulated substation (GIS). This tailored gas will be based on Grid Solutions’ g³ gas mixture, which will be adapted to be compatible with older substations. Only a gaseous solution can help replace SF₆ gas and decarbonize these substations in service without building a new substation from scratch.
GE Vernova’s T155 has been installed in more than 30 countries, totaling more than 1,000 GIS bays, and accounting for approximately 650 tons of SF₆ in total.
Our objectives
Objective 1: Tailor the gas mixture to limit the need
of component replacement
Because the gas-insulated substations in service use SF₆, their compartments and components were designed to withstand conditions in liaise with the
properties of SF₆, the pressure inside the equipment for instance, but also the dielectric and thermal properties as well as the material compatibility and
the permeability.
That’s why the project will have to define a tailored gas mixture that will be compatible with most of the SF₆ properties. This first
objective will help minimize the need to replace too many components of the existing GIS and obtain a solution that is viable economically.
Our SECO2ND LIFE GIS project will benefit from former Grid Solutions’ LIFE projects as the know-how in g³ technology in terms of gas behavior
and performance acquired during these projects will be used to tailor the new mixture.
Of course, the EHS aspects of the solution will be assessed and validated.
Objective 2: Redesign the compartments that need
an adaptation
With the help of computer simulation and design analysis, we will identify the components of the GIS that need to be redesigned. Based on
the results, mock-ups of each compartment that could work with the new SF₆ substitute will be tested until we obtain the final design. The
redesigned elements should ensure normal functioning with the new gas mixture, cope with specific requirements of high voltage
applications, be standardized for the 420 kV voltage level. The solution will have to work without size increase of the existing SF₆ installation,
which should simplify the industrial scheme, and obviously reduce the overall cost of the solution.
Objective 3: Adapt the monitoring devices to the
SF₆ substitute
While aging, gas-insulated substations tend to leak more SF₆ gas in the atmosphere, most of the time after 20 years of
service. They are also confronted to a phenomenon called partial discharges which can cause the equipment severe
damages. That’s why most of the GIS are delivered with SF₆ gas and partial discharge monitoring devices. In the case of the
T155 GIS, Grid Solutions mainly use its BWatch gas monitoring system and its PDWatch partial discharge monitoring device.
Both are set-up to work with the SF₆ gas. That’s why a part of our project is dedicated to the adjustment of both devices and
their respective software so that they can be reliable with the new gas mixture.
Objective 4: Define and implement a pilot project
on a substation in service
This objective is divided in two parts.
The first part covers the designation of a pilot project with a transmission system operator (TSO) as early as
possible after the beginning of the project and the official type test campaign that will be performed on the new
components in CERDA lab in Villeurbanne, France.
The second part is the onsite implementation of the technology on the selected substation at client’s premises
including monitoring of the leak rate before the implementation (SF₆), during the development phase (still with
SF₆ but with the GIS equipped with a newly developed leak stopper) and after (with the SF₆ substitute). A
tightness type test for the whole bay according to IEC standard will finalize the project and document the
successful achievement of the new SF₆ removal solution.
At the end of the project, we aim to remove up to 60% of a T155 gas-insulated substations in service.
When decarbonization
rhythms with optimization
“GE Vernova’s retrofitting solution will address a substantial quantity of SF₆ in existing high-voltage
gas-insulated substations, which are not covered by the EU’s F-gas regulation, » explained Bertrand Portal, Power Transmission Marketing Leader at GE Vernova’s Grid Solutions business. “This solution will be applicable to our installed base of T155, 420 kV GIS introduced in 2008, and will help accelerate the phase out of SF₆, which can only be eliminated from existing grid assets using gaseous technology.
To get there, we will optimize the components of our T155 GIS and make sure they can withstand the properties of the new SF₆ substitute,” he added.
Join the team
Our project leader
Samuel Fifi
Lead Engineer – Electrical Component,
Grid Solutions, a GE Vernova company
Our Project Leader, Samuel Fifi, leads the Gas Insulated Substation and Generator Circuit Breaker R&D
activities for Grid Solutions at the technology research center based in Villeurbanne, France.
He holds an Engineering degree in Mechanical and Energy. He leads a team focusing on the
development of SF₆-free High Voltage products. This research is crucial for decarbonizing the
grid, moving away from the environmentally impactful SF₆ gas. Leveraging 15 years of
experience in high voltage product development, Samuel has held several positions at AREVA
T&D, Alstom Grid and GE Vernova.
He possesses deep knowledge in power transmission substations and instrument transformers.
He has worked in collaboration with worldwide manufacturing units and is part of international
working groups and standardization entities such as Cigre and IEC.
Hiring
Check out our open positions.
R3754966 : Methods Technician & Gas Referent – M/F – Contract of Indefinite Duration – France – Villeurbanne
Role: He is responsible for the technical monitoring of tools and equipment and ensures the availability of specific equipment and fluids for the assembly and testing of prototypes.