The global energy sector has long relied on sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) to play an important role in electricity systems to prevent short circuits and to keep networks safe and reliable. Now, the Manchester team as part of a wider consortium led by National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) have been awarded funding to find a better way to manage, and ultimately replace SF6 with an environmentally-friendlier alternative.
This ambitious project funded through Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) Beta Phase, a competition ran by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and Ofgem, is part of an initiative designed to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the UK's power grid.
With £2.4 million in new funding for The University of Manchester, the research will build on Dr Tony Chen's work for SF6-free retrofill intervention techniques that could supplant SF6 without having to replace or significantly modify existing SF6-designed equipment. These investigations, in partnership with NGET, were named 'Best Innovation in Net Zero and Sustainability' at the 2022's E&T Innovation Awards.
The impact of this project is expected to be wide-ranging and could lead to significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The project will deepen understanding of SF6-free technologies, speeding up their adoption and maintaining the reliability and resilience of the UK's electricity infrastructure.
The project will further develop aspects of SF6 management based on findings in its alpha phase and will explore the challenges and opportunities in SF6 replacement and management.
The projects areas of focus include comparing different intervention strategies, developing energy-efficient methods for disposing SF6, modelling of SF6 leakage from switchgear equipment to better inform asset management strategy, and studying alternative gas blends that could replace SF6 in the longer term through retrofill intervention. These efforts are expected to lead to significant technological advancements, providing solutions that could be applied to other sectors that use SF6, such as high-voltage particle accelerators and future electrified transportation systems.
This initiative could make a substantial contribution to the UK's carbon reduction targets. If successful, its strategies for extending the lifespan of industry assets would also ensure a more reliable operation, lead to lower energy bills for consumers, and reduce the overall costs of running the national electricity network.
By working with policymakers, industry leaders, and international standards bodies, the Manchester team are aiming to shape global regulations, continuing to position the UK as a leader in sustainable energy solutions. Their vital research could make a significant contribution to world-wide efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions from the power sector, helping to close the gap between an unsustainable present and a more sustainable future.
