State Grid Xuzhou Power Supply Company: Installing 'green environmental valve' for power grid

State Grid Xuzhou Power Supply Company recently completed its mixed-gas transformation project for gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) equipment at the 110-kilovolt Konggang Substation. This project marks the company's first in the field of mixed-gas transformation for GIS equipment, strengthening the green operation and maintenance of the power grid.

Traditional GIS equipment tanks are typically filled with pure sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) gas, which is colorless, non-toxic, and odorless under normal temperature and pressure, offering excellent insulation and arc-extinguishing properties. However, after electrolysis, it can produce various toxic substances. Moreover, as a greenhouse gas, if leaked into the atmosphere, it can have a lasting impact on the environment. In contrast, the environmentally friendly mixed gas adopted in this project reduces SF6 usage by 70 percent, significantly lowering the potential for greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining the equipment's insulation and arc-extinguishing performance. This is equivalent to installing a "green environmental valve" for the power grid.

As this was the first such transformation project, State Grid Xuzhou adhered to the principle of "learning by doing and doing while learning", systematically overcoming technical challenges. In the preliminary phase, the company studied equipment blueprints and transformation plans, meticulously reviewed the substation equipment layout, and collaborated with manufacturers to develop a detailed construction plan. During the construction phase, it innovatively adopted a "stepwise" pressure reduction method to ensure stable pressure differentials in the gas chambers, strictly controlling every step of the process. To compensate for the subtle changes in the insulation performance of the mixed gas, the company also installed explosion-proof devices in the transformed gas chambers, enabling directional discharge of bursting pressure and effectively preventing damage to the gas chambers.

This technological transformation project actively aligns with the "dual carbon" strategic goals, deeply integrating environmental protection concepts into the power grid's operation and maintenance. It achieves a breakthrough in both economic and ecological benefits, providing a replicable practical model for the green transformation of the power grid.