Periodic Reporting for period 1 - Nuventura (Novel dry air switchgear technology to reduce industry’s dependence on SF6)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2022-11-01 al 2024-07-31
Continuing our legacy from NU1, the primary goal of this project is to design and develop a Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) that operates at a rated voltage of 40.5kV with the below three main objectives:
• Technical Development: To create a GIS that meets the operational specifications of 40.5kV voltage rating, incorporating the latest technologies and innovations in the field to ensure high performance and reliability.
• Collaboration and Testing: To establish partnerships with end-users who can participate in pilot projects, providing a platform to test and refine the GIS under various operational conditions.
• Trust and Reliability: To demonstrate the dependability and benefits of the GIS through successful pilot projects, thereby fostering trust among potential users and stakeholders.
Besides Nuventura there is no MV GIS that addresses the 36 kV or the 40.5 kV range and that uses dry air instead of SF6. Utility providers are be banned from using SF6 GIS in the next few years (starting in 2026 with 24kV and 36kV and up in 2030 in Europe) due to the extremely potent nature of SF6 gas.
SF6, hailed for its insulating prowess in high-voltage apparatus, brought compactness and safety. But its colossal global warming potential, 24,300 times that of CO2, urges a shift toward a game-changing alternative—pure air.
SF6's impact is alarming; just 1 kg released equals driving a car for 200,000
kilometers. Multiply this by operational switchgear units worldwide, and the
need for an alternative becomes evident. Enter pure air: devoid of greenhouse
properties, ensuring environmental safety.
Simplifying end-of-life concerns is another perk. Unlike SF6 requiring intricate recycling due to hazards and high costs, pure air demands no such process. Handling SF6 at the end of its lifecycle is complex and costly, posing environmental risks. Pure air eliminates the need for SF6 production, significantly reducing environmental impacts and bypassing cumbersome recycling.
Transitioning to pure air offers a greener, simpler, and more responsible solution, steering clear of SF6's complexities and hazards.
Nuventura pioneers SF6-free gas insulated switchgear (GIS) technologies, substituting the potent greenhouse gas with dry air.
• Technical Development: To create a GIS that meets the operational specifications of 40.5kV voltage rating, incorporating the latest technologies and innovations in the field to ensure high performance and reliability.
• Collaboration and Testing: To establish partnerships with end-users who can participate in pilot projects, providing a platform to test and refine the GIS under various operational conditions.
• Trust and Reliability: To demonstrate the dependability and benefits of the GIS through successful pilot projects, thereby fostering trust among potential users and stakeholders.
Besides Nuventura there is no MV GIS that addresses the 36 kV or the 40.5 kV range and that uses dry air instead of SF6. Utility providers are be banned from using SF6 GIS in the next few years (starting in 2026 with 24kV and 36kV and up in 2030 in Europe) due to the extremely potent nature of SF6 gas.
SF6, hailed for its insulating prowess in high-voltage apparatus, brought compactness and safety. But its colossal global warming potential, 24,300 times that of CO2, urges a shift toward a game-changing alternative—pure air.
SF6's impact is alarming; just 1 kg released equals driving a car for 200,000
kilometers. Multiply this by operational switchgear units worldwide, and the
need for an alternative becomes evident. Enter pure air: devoid of greenhouse
properties, ensuring environmental safety.
Simplifying end-of-life concerns is another perk. Unlike SF6 requiring intricate recycling due to hazards and high costs, pure air demands no such process. Handling SF6 at the end of its lifecycle is complex and costly, posing environmental risks. Pure air eliminates the need for SF6 production, significantly reducing environmental impacts and bypassing cumbersome recycling.
Transitioning to pure air offers a greener, simpler, and more responsible solution, steering clear of SF6's complexities and hazards.
Nuventura pioneers SF6-free gas insulated switchgear (GIS) technologies, substituting the potent greenhouse gas with dry air.
As per our objectives for the project defined in the project plan, we began our project by conceptualizing and creating detailed designs for our product. To bring these designs to life, we focused on developing existing suppliers and finding new ones to enable us to turn our detailed designs into prototypes. Once we identified the right suppliers and established contacts, we placed orders for the parts required for our engineering prototypes.
The assembly phase commenced shortly thereafter, during which we evaluated the design for any shortcomings and made necessary improvements (detailed in project deliverables). These improvements were integrated into both the design and assembly processes, necessitating additional procurement of parts.
Upon completion of the engineering prototype, we initiated the evaluation of two critical functions of the switchgear: the three-position switch operation and the vacuum circuit breaker operation. For these evaluations, we established internal testing operations and began performing functional & mechanical internal testing.
While continuous improvements are being made, we showcased our prototype at the prestigious Hannover Messe Exhibition, highlighting the progress and potential of our product.
Upon returning from the Hannover Messe, we have continued improvement and inhouse verification for mechanical functionality tests to check the design workability and performed electrical internal development testing such as Dielectric tests, Temperature rise test.
As next steps, we’ll continue the testing & optimization efforts as part of overarching goal for industrialization of the product.
The assembly phase commenced shortly thereafter, during which we evaluated the design for any shortcomings and made necessary improvements (detailed in project deliverables). These improvements were integrated into both the design and assembly processes, necessitating additional procurement of parts.
Upon completion of the engineering prototype, we initiated the evaluation of two critical functions of the switchgear: the three-position switch operation and the vacuum circuit breaker operation. For these evaluations, we established internal testing operations and began performing functional & mechanical internal testing.
While continuous improvements are being made, we showcased our prototype at the prestigious Hannover Messe Exhibition, highlighting the progress and potential of our product.
Upon returning from the Hannover Messe, we have continued improvement and inhouse verification for mechanical functionality tests to check the design workability and performed electrical internal development testing such as Dielectric tests, Temperature rise test.
As next steps, we’ll continue the testing & optimization efforts as part of overarching goal for industrialization of the product.
Nuventura is positioned for its next phase of international expansion beyond Europe, focusing on new products under development through the EIC Accelerator program. As detailed in the project deliverables, key markets for product-market fit have been identified, and a market entry strategy has been created. Moving forward, Nuventura enters the roll-out phase of the plan.