Schneider Electric, an expert in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, has announced the launch of Ringmaster AirSeT in the UK.
Ringmaster AirSeT is a next-generation SF6-free (sulphur hexafluoride) digital medium voltage (MV) switchgear, which is critical to the development of smarter, more sustainable electricity grids.
It will help grid operators decarbonise and modernise their infrastructure and enable electric distribution utilities to improve operational performance and reliability.
Ringmaster AirSeT has a pure air design which replaces SF6, the greenhouse gas that is traditionally used in electrical equipment for insulation, with pure air. The use of pure air, which has a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of 0, removes the need for complex and costly gas recycling at end of life, minimising the total cost of ownership of the equipment.
The rollout of Ringmaster AirSeT in the UK is a key element of Schneider Electric’s ‘Grids of the Future’ programme and a milestone in its progress towards producing a complete portfolio of SF6-free switchgear by 2025. SF6 is a potent greenhouse gas 24,300 times stronger than CO2. By eliminating its use in switchgear through an innovative and unique combination of pure air and Shunt Vacuum Interruption (SVI), the environmental footprint of electrical networks can be reduced.
Schneider Electric has invested £7.2million at its site in Leeds, expanding the facility so that it can produce the Ringmaster AirSeT in response to the increasing demand for Schneider Electric’s portfolio of green and digital switchgear products.
Ringmaster AirSeT key features include:
- Powered by pure air eliminating the need for SF6. Pure air is safer, sustainable by nature, and free from compliance risks related to future regulations.
- It combines pure air for insulation and vacuum for circuit breaking, while producing no alternative gases or toxic byproducts.
- It includes an innovative Shunt Vacuum Interrupter (SVI), 3 position ring to switch the circuit.
- It incorporates a next-generation CompoDrive mechanism which increases mechanical performance, allowing an increased number of operations for grids to handle more distributed energy resources (DERs) in the distribution network.
- Completely sealed from the external environment with an industry-leading 30 years of design life.
- The device retains the familiar three-position switch for closed, opened, and earthed – the first SF6-free switchgear to do so. This means unchanged operation, which allows for simple adoption, grid modernisation, and helps reduce upgrade risks.
- Ringmaster AirSeT can be SCAD connected with the integrated T300 remote terminal unit or the health status remotely monitored using wireless sensor technology.
David Hall, Schneider Electric’s Vice President of Power Systems UK&I, comments, “New technology such as our Ringmaster AirSeT gives us a real opportunity to decarbonise the electricity distribution network in the UK. Manufacturers have a key role to play, supporting the National Grid in its efforts to reduce SF6 emissions.
“With growing energy demands, the influx of distributed energy resources such as renewables, electric vehicles and battery storage, the launch of Ringmaster AirSeT means we have the technology here today for the grid of the future.”
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