Siemens Energy makes emissions-free power grid a reality

Siemens Energy and Michigan’s Traverse City Light and Power are advancing the decarbonization of energy. TCL&P is the first U.S. utility to use Siemens Energy’s Blue Clean Air Circuit Switcher to build an emission-free grid.

Conventional switchers are insulated with sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆) gas, which has a global warming potential 23,500 times greater than CO₂.

The Blue Clean Air Circuit Switcher uses clean, dry air instead of SF₆ gas and provides reliable short-circuit interruption without risk of releasing greenhouse gases.

Siemens Energy says the switcher has a similar footprint to SF₆ switchers, a five-times longer lifespan and it’s virtually maintenance-free.

– Katherine Brennecke, The Engineering 100