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.