Design & manufacture of SF6-free 132kV double busbar gas insulated switchgear

We were contracted to design and manufacture the first SF6-free 132kV double busbar gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) to be installed in the UK Power Networks’ (UKPN) London region. The GIS needed to meet the power demands of the Project Olympus 300MVA 132kV/33kV substation, and be compliant with new legislation that is soon to ban the use of greenhouse gases in its manufacture.

To ensure compliance, we liaised with UKPN to establish their requirements and identified the 8VN1 Blue GIS as the solution. The zero CO2 emissions product is manufactured by Siemens Energy and uses clean air insulation – formed of 80% nitrogen and 20% oxygen – and vacuum switching technology.

Although, the manufacturer had already produced a single busbar GIS for UKPN in its southern region, London’s electrical operational arrangements are more complex. We managed the lengthy design process for the Project Olympus 132kV 8VN1 Blue GIS, liaising with the client, UKPN and the Siemens Energy teams based in Germany and the UK. We also co ordinated the design and manufacture of the associated control panels made by a supply chain partner in Poland. We witnessed and verified all the factory acceptance tests before delivery.

An integrated package with Siemens Energy for the manufacture of the GIS and transformer for Project Olympus, has enabled us to provide a seamless design to installation service for our client, while continuing to strengthen relationships with key partners.