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

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.