TECO Partners with Siemens to Produce Fluorine-Free Clean-Air Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) Equipment in Taiwan

      TECO Electric & Machinery Co. Ltd. (1504) and Siemens Taiwan have announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to produce 24KV Sulfur hexafluoride-free (blue GIS) clean-air gas insulated switchgear in Taiwan. This switchgear can be utilized in substations, science parks, wind farms, solar farms, and other sectors, demonstrating a collective commitment to sustainable development. TECO stated that as Taiwan advances towards net-zero carbon emissions, there is an estimated future demand for the replacement of tens of thousands of clean-air gas insulated switchgear units across the country. The collaboration between TECO and Siemens will contribute to the acceleration of key component localization and the localization of related industries.

       Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) gas is a commonly used insulating medium in the electricity industry. However, it is also one of the greenhouse gases with a global warming potential 23,500 times greater than carbon dioxide, according to the Climate Change Administration, Ministry of Environment. The European Union will ban the use of SF6 gas in high-voltage gas insulated switchgear (GIS) starting in 2026. As a result, SF6 gas alternatives are urgently needed. The cooperation between TECO and Siemens aims to introduce Siemens' latest technology into the Taiwanese market. This 24KV clean-air gas insulated switchgear does not contain SF6 gas, thereby eliminating greenhouse gas emissions and avoiding the issue of low-temperature liquefaction. Despite not using fluorinated gases, the equipment's safety, life cycle cost, and size remain unaffected. Chang Sung-pin, the president of the Intelligent Energy Business Group at TECO, stated that Taipower is promoting the resilient power grid plan. Over the next ten years, clean-air gas insulated switchgear can be used for substation reconstruction, replacement, and new construction in various applications and industries. The technology transfer cooperation between TECO and Siemens to produce clean-air gas insulated switchgear (clean air 24 kV blue GIS) in Taiwan truly realizes a fluorine-free solution, enhancing Taiwan's power supply quality, reducing the greenhouse effect, and contributing to national sustainable development.

    Siemens' newly developed 24 kV blue GIS (clean-air gas insulated switchgear) has completed its first deployment in Europe and is now undergoing pilot operation, according to Siemens Smart infrastructure Senior Director Fabian Bergeron. The 24 kV blue GIS (clean-air gas insulated switchgear) is suitable for a wide range of temperature environments, including harsh conditions such as high altitude, high humidity, and extreme cold. It not only ensures the safe and stable operation of the power grid but also significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Siemens expressed confidence that the cooperation with TECO will provide the best service for Taiwan's grid resilience.

    TECO's Intelligent Energy Business Group is not only the leading provider of onshore substations for offshore wind power projects in Taiwan, but also actively participates in Taipower's grid resilience plan. This includes the energy storage system project in Longtan District, Taoyuan, the Zhanggong substation in Changhua Coastal Industrial Park, and the Yongxing switching station STATCOM EPC project in Changhua. TECO also mentioned that, based on its extensive experience and strength in power engineering EPC projects, it aims to prioritize the use of domestically made clean-air gas insulated switchgear (GIS) in future projects to enhance project quality and contribute to revenue growth.