SF6-free Technologies Learning Event
NDE Germany, the German Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) and the Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) hosted a three-day learning exchange from 5th- 7th July on Technologies for Decarbonization of Electrical Transmission and Distribution Grids through F-gas Regulations and Policies.
The recent commitment of the EU Commission to phase down Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF6) signals that the SF6-free technologies will accelerate the region’s net-zero goal in the energy system. SF6, which is used as an insulation material in switchgear, is 24,300 times more potent than CO2 and has an atmospheric lifetime of up to 3,200 years. Therefore, the continued use of SF6 and other fluorinated gases in high, and medium-voltage insulation is of pressing concern to the energy industry.
In Berlin, up to 40 participants, including stakeholders from energy ministries and utilities from 11 developing countries from Africa, Latin America and the Caribbeans, and Asia and the Pacific, as well as representatives from technology providers, environmental and financial institutions, discussed the harmful climate impacts of SF6, accurate SF6 usage reporting, and enhancing the understanding of available SF6-free technologies in the market.
This event aimed to “bridge the knowledge divide” and empower stakeholders to “make informed decisions regarding their complete energy system value chain,” noted Dietram Oppelt, advisor in the implementing office of the NDE Germany.
During the event, participants had the opportunity to learn about the European Union’s best practices on F-gas regulation and enforcement, visited SF6-free technology facilities, and strengthened their knowledge of available technology options to take informed actions for decarbonization pathways in their countries.
Participants came from Chile, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Lebanon, Mexico, Thailand, Timor Leste, Uganda, Vietnam, Senegal
Find more information on the event and stakeholder presentations at https://www.ctc-n.org/calendar/events/sf6-free-technologies-net-zero-energy-systems-learning-event