Introduction to Domestic and International Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF₆) Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Technologies for Power Grid Enterprises

¹ Power Science Research Institute, State Grid Anhui Electric Power Co., Ltd., Hefei, Anhui, China
² Center for New Finance Research, International Institute of Finance, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui Province, China

^a* First author: Wangchao Dong, dwchhf@live.com
^b* Corresponding author: aiguningkesi@mail.ustc.edu.cn

Abstract

Since its introduction in 1930, sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆) has rapidly become the primary insulation material for high-voltage electrical equipment such as transmission lines, switches, transformers, circuit breakers, and reactors, owing to its exceptional electrical properties. However, the flip side of its excellent performance is its extremely high global warming potential (GWP), which is over 23,000 times that of carbon dioxide (CO₂). Managing SF₆ has thus become a key aspect of emission reduction efforts. The primary strategies for reducing SF₆ emissions include minimizing gas leakage during the production, operation, and maintenance of electrical equipment, as well as purifying and recycling emitted SF₆ gas. Various purification and monitoring methods have been developed for routine operations and have already been implemented by power grid companies globally. In addition to ongoing daily monitoring, research is also underway concerning the transformation, degradation, and substitution of SF₆ gases. Degradation and transformation methods primarily focus on high-temperature degradation, photocatalysis, and arc degradation. In the context of substitution, the idea is to use conventional gases or various organic compounds to form SF₆ mixtures or alternative gases, with the aim of reducing effect of leakage while maintaining performance. Finally, recommendations are made for power grid enterprises to reduce SF₆ emissions, emphasizing the importance of source control and the exploration of alternatives. Effective equipment management to prevent gas leakage, comprehensive monitoring and assessment, as well as the proper handling of unusable SF₆ devices, are also crucial steps in emission reduction efforts.