TECO Electric & Machinery Co., Ltd. announced today that it has signed a memorandum of cooperation (MOU) with Siemens Taiwan to jointly produce 24kV sulfur hexafluoride (SF6)-free clean air insulated switchgear in Taiwan. This new technology will be used in various sectors, including substations, science parks, wind power plants, and optoelectronics. The initial estimates suggest a need to replace tens of thousands of switchgear units in Taiwan, significantly advancing the localization of key components.
Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) is a widely used insulating medium in the power industry but is also a potent greenhouse gas. According to the Climate Change Agency of Taiwan’s Ministry of Environment, SF6 has a global warming potential 23,500 times that of carbon dioxide. With the European Union set to ban SF6 in high-voltage insulated switchgear (GIS) by 2026, the need for alternative solutions has become urgent.
In collaboration with Siemens, TECO aims to introduce Siemens’ advanced technology into the Taiwanese market. The new 24kV clean air insulated switchgear eliminates the use of SF6, thereby cutting greenhouse gas emissions. This technology also avoids issues related to low-temperature liquefaction and does not use fluorine, ensuring that the safety and lifecycle costs of the equipment are maintained without altering its dimensions.
Zhang Songbin, General Manager of TECO Smart Energy Business Group, highlighted that Taipower is promoting a resilient power grid plan. Over the next decade, through substation reconstruction, replacement, and new construction, clean gas insulated switchgear will serve various fields and industrial applications. The partnership will produce clean air 24kV blue GIS in Taiwan, offering a fluorine-free solution to enhance Taiwan’s power supply quality.
Fabian Bergeron, Director of Intelligent Infrastructure at Siemens Taiwan, noted that the first batch of Siemens’ 24kV blue GIS clean gas insulated switchgear has already been deployed in Europe and is in trial operation. These systems are suitable for challenging environments such as high altitudes, hot and humid climates, and severe cold, ensuring the safe and stable operation of power grids while significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
TECO’s Smart Energy Business Group is actively involved in Taipower’s power grid resilience initiatives, including projects like the Taoyuan Longtan Energy Storage System, Changgong Booster Station, and Yongxing Switching Station STATCOM Turnkey Project. Leveraging its extensive experience in power turnkey projects, TECO plans to prioritize using domestically produced clean gas insulated switchgear in future engineering projects to enhance project quality and sustainability.
