Sustainable switchgear: how modernisation strategy can drive your business to new heights

Any industrial organisation caught napping when it comes to technology modernisation will quickly find themselves playing catch-up. The acceleration in technological advancement in switchgear technology has been exponential. However, the modernisation of switchgear is about much more than simply the like-for-like replacement of the installed base of switchgear. David Hall, VP Power Systems at SchneiderElectric explains.

Replacing outdated switchgear should be a task achieved with sustainability at its core Modernisation allows for a greater competitive edge and enables an organisation’s employees to enhance operational efficiency and safety. For industrial plant power distribution, modernising switchgear can contribute a 30% cost saving from decreased production downtime and reducing equipment site work costs. On the other hand, industrial organisations running on ageing power distribution equipment place themselves at a higher risk of downtime, rising maintenance costs and reduced safety. Over time, manufacturers supplying spare parts tend to phase out supply, meaning that if an incident were to occur that required parts replacement, the repair would take longer. In addition, the scarcity of the parts in circulation means that their price boosts significantly.

But alongside these crucial factors, replacing outdated switchgear should be a task achieved with sustainability at its core.

How modernising switchgear impacts on sustainability bottom line

As greater emphasis is placed on the need to act on climate change, companies everywhere are implementing new technologies to become more sustainable. Electricity production currently relies on the burning of fossil fuels and subsequent emission of CO2 into the atmosphere. Still, other harmful gases at play within the electrical industry need to be considered when initiating switchgear modernisation.

Sulphur Hexafluoride (SF6) is the most potent and harmful greenhouse gas in the world. It is an odourless, non-toxic, and highly stable gas used in various industrial and scientific applications. Nearly 80% of all SF6 is used in gas-insulated switchgear, and its phasing out is crucial to decarbonisation and international greenhouse gas reduction efforts.

It is becoming increasingly more critical to replace SF6. More electricity production and decentralised power sources such as solar and wind and more fast charging points for electric vehicles will mean adding more medium voltage switchgear to the grid to be safely insulated. Some countries are already moving to ban SF6 applications; EU regulations on phasing out SF6 are expected by the end of this year.

The good news is that the technology to decarbonise the grid and reduce the risk of more potent gas being released into the atmosphere already exists. Over the past 10 years, for example, Schneider Electric has developed a way to replace SF6 with pressurised air. The company’s sustainability approach to switchgear modernisation rests on three critical initiatives:

• A ‘connected’ asset for greater reliability and safety: The technology available now allows for data driven asset management. Moving to a predicative maintenance strategy not only allows for a reduction in unplanned outages, but also increases the life expectancy of the asset. Schneider Electric has a wide range of thermal, environmental and partial discharge monitoring sensors that can be fitted throughout the MV/LV system. The continuous monitoring of the asset allows for advanced machine learning algorithms to predict specific failures of equipment, give actionable insights and reduce OPEX costs. • An emphasis on retrofit as opposed to replacement of existing gear: In a switchgear retrofit approach, Schneider

Electric does all it can to preserve the base material of the existing switchgear (i.e., metal panels, cubicles, wiring) while adding in green compliant, SF6-free replacement components. The past model of ‘rip and replace’ has become obsolete in a world that counts on sustainability to maintain our planet’s collective quality of life. • A focus on green premium replacement components: When new products are installed into existing switchgear cubicles and cabinets, Schneider Electric ensures that the new parts meet ‘Green Premium’ programme standards. This means providing detailed information regarding their regulatory compliance, material content, and environmental impact –certified through third-party labels and product certifications that supports its customers’ sustainability ambitions.

They also incorporate principles of the circular economy, including durability, upgradeability, and recyclability. As a result, customers who choose to install

Green Premium products reduce their

CO2 footprint and optimise the total cost of ownership of their assets.

Replacing old switchgear technology offers a vast opportunity for enhanced sustainability. Companies need to decrease their emissions across all GHGs; the higher their concentration in the atmosphere, the greater the risk of experiencing the most severe effects of global warming. Companies focused on modernisation to reduce GHG emissions are one step ahead of the competition. The business benefits are clear, with reduced downtime and greater operational efficiency at the fore, but the industrial and environmental benefits stand an organisation in far more excellent stead for long-term business growth.

Schneider Electric, se.com

The technology to decarbonise the grid and reduce the risk of more potent gas being released into the atmosphere already exists

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