SF6 end-of-life treatment of T&D equipment (>1kV) in Substations

SF6 has proven its excellent dielectric properties for the safe and secure operation of electrical equipment. Its only drawback is the very high global warming potential which casts a serious cloud over this substance when released into the atmosphere.
In the electric power industry, large numbers of SF6-containing transmission and distribution equipment are operating in Substations and other similar installations such as Power Plants and Gas Insulated Lines. SF6 emissions from this equipment could occur during production, commissioning, operation and servicing and in the case of end-of-life handling. While SF6 emissions from state-of-the-art electrical equipment during normal operation are negligible, a recent study by the well-accepted Fraunhofer Institute of Energy Economics and Energy System Technology (IEE) claims that end-of-life treatment is by far the dominant source of SF6 emissions.