Hitachi Energy to deliver China's first SF₆-free 420 kV Dead Tank Breaker to State Grid Corporation of China

• Delivery of China's first SF₆-free 420 kilovolt (kV) dead tank breaker marks a significant advancement in the country's efforts to decarbonize its power grids
• Hitachi Energy and SGCC join forces to drive sustainable, eco-efficient energy solutions and contribute to China's ambitious carbon-neutrality goals
• EconiQ SF₆-free 420 kV breaker showcases Hitachi Energy's capability to develop eco-efficient technologies at the highest voltage levels, reduce environmental impact, and ensure grid reliability

Zurich, August 29, 2024 – Hitachi Energy announced today that it will deliver China's first SF₆-free 420 kV dead tank breaker (DTB) to the State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC). This groundbreaking achievement marks a significant step in decarbonizing the power grid and aligns with China's ambitious target of achieving carbon neutrality by 2060.

SGCC is the world's largest utility company, serving over 1.1 billion people across 88 percent of China's national territory. As a leader in the energy sector, SGCC made a strong commitment to sustainability and developed an ambitious action plan for carbon neutrality.

The SF₆-free 420 kV DTB is part of EconiQ™, Hitachi Energy's eco-efficient portfolio for sustainability where products, services, and solutions are scientifically proven to deliver exceptional environmental performance. By replacing sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆) with a sustainable gas mixture, the breaker eliminates the greenhouse gas emissions caused by SF₆ while maintaining the same reliable performance and compact design as the conventional solutions.

With a growing portfolio of eco-efficient high-voltage products, Hitachi Energy is well-positioned to meet the increasing demand for sustainable and reliable power grid solutions. The EconiQ high-voltage series includes SF₆-free live tank breakers (LTA) for 72.5 kV, 145 kV and 420 kV voltages, gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) for 72.5 kV, 145 kV, 420 kV and 550 kV voltages, gas-insulated lines (GIL) for 420 kV voltage, DTB for 420 kV and 550 kV voltages, and retrofill for GIL for 420 kV voltage. This comprehensive portfolio empowers utilities to integrate sustainability into their existing infrastructure or new installations, paving the way for a truly decarbonized future. As of today, Hitachi Energy has deployed over 1,000 EconiQ high-voltage units in 26 countries.

Markus Heimbach, Managing Director of Business Unit High Voltage Products at Hitachi Energy commented, "China's first SF₆-free 420 kV DTB represents a major milestone in our journey to provide sustainable and efficient power grid solutions, and we're pleased to collaborate with SGCC on this pioneering project. This technology strengthens critical infrastructure while significantly reducing the environmental impact of the power system. By leveraging our expertise in high-voltage technology, we are addressing the industry's demand for efficient and eco-friendly high-voltage switchgear and helping to accelerate the transition to a more sustainable, flexible, and secure energy system."

Hitachi Energy has been providing SGCC with 145 kV EconiQ eco-efficient GIS and LTA products since 2022.

EconiQ portfolio is sustainability-oriented in design to deliver a superior environmental performance compared to conventional solutions. Hitachi Energy has placed sustainability at the heart of its Purpose and is advancing a sustainable energy future for all. Its high-voltage portfolio also includes EconiQ Retrofill, a world's first in replacing SF₆ in existing high-voltage equipment.

About Hitachi Energy

Hitachi Energy is a global technology leader that is advancing a sustainable energy future for all. We are advancing the world's energy system to be more sustainable, flexible and secure and we collaborate with customers and partners to enable a sustainable energy future – for today's generations and those to come. Hitachi Energy has a proven track record and unparalleled installed base in more than 140 countries, serving customers in utility, industry, transportation, data centers and infrastructure sectors. With innovative technologies and services including the integration of more than 150 gigawatts of HVDC links into the power system, we help make the energy value chain more efficient, making electricity more accessible to all. Together with stakeholders across sectors and geographies, we enable the digital transformation required to accelerate the energy transition towards a carbon-neutral future. Headquartered in Switzerland, we employ around 45,000 people in 90 countries and generate business volumes of around $13 billion USD.
https://www.hitachienergy.com

About Hitachi, Ltd.

Hitachi drives Social Innovation Business, creating a sustainable society through the use of data and technology. We solve customers' and society's challenges with Lumada solutions leveraging IT, OT (Operational Technology) and products. Hitachi operates under the 3 business sectors of "Digital Systems & Services" – supporting our customers' digital transformation; "Green Energy & Mobility" – contributing to a decarbonized society through energy and railway systems, and "Connective Industries" – connecting products through digital technology to provide solutions in various industries. Driven by Digital, Green, and Innovation, we aim for growth through co-creation with our customers. The company's revenues as 3 sectors for fiscal year 2023 (ended March 31, 2024) totaled 8,564.3 billion yen, with 573 consolidated subsidiaries and approximately 270,000 employees worldwide. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company's website at https://www.hitachi.com.