French automotive group Renault has set out to achieve decarbonization by introducing Schneider Electric SF6 (sulfur hexafluoride) free high-voltage switchgear at its factory.

Schneider Electric announced on the 12th that it has signed a contract to supply SM AirSeT, an SF6-free high-voltage switchgear, to Renault's Refactory in Flins, France.

The Renault Group aims to achieve 'carbon negative' by achieving zero carbon emissions at its factories by 2030, and to achieve complete carbon neutrality in Europe by 2040.

As part of its ESG management, the Renault Group introduced Schneider’s SM AirSeT to avoid using SF6, a representative greenhouse gas used in high-pressure switchgear at its refactories.

SF6 (sulfur hexafluoride) gas is commonly used in electrical distribution equipment, but it is a greenhouse gas 25,200 times stronger than carbon dioxide.

As it is subject to regulations aimed at limiting global temperature rise, the 1997 Kyoto Protocol designated SF6 as one of the six major greenhouse gases, and major countries, including the United States and Europe, are implementing strong measures such as imposing punitive taxes on the future use of SF6 gas in domestic electrical products. Regulations are scheduled to be implemented.

Schneider’s SM AirSeT is an eco-friendly digital high-voltage switchgear designed to replace SF6 gas-free high-voltage switchgear by using air-insulated shunt vacuum interruption technology.

It is explained that not only is it SF6 Free, but there is no need to consider greenhouse gas recycling costs, and it can even reduce equipment maintenance and replacement costs.
Designed for the secondary distribution market, including industrial sites such as data centers and commercial buildings, the SM AirSeT features a minimum width of 375mm and a minimum height of 1600mm, making it optimized for sites with limited installation space. Additionally, it is equipped with an integrated smart sensor that allows for remote monitoring of various measurement values.

Park Se-jin, Head of Power Systems at Schneider Electric, stated, “Moving away from F-gases is essential to accelerating decarbonization in the fight against climate change,” adding, “Green energy is more than just renewable energy generation and efficient energy consumption. SM AirSeT is a suitable solution for areas requiring environmental improvement.”

Meanwhile, Schneider Electric's AirSeT technology recently won five awards, including Energy Efficiency Solution of the Year, at the Energy Mastering Awards 2022, and received the International Carbon Handprint Award at Climate Week NYC. In addition to the Renault Group, it is being successfully piloted in electric utilities, infrastructure, and buildings through many customers such as France's GreenAlp, New Caledonia's EEC Engie, and Italy's Azienda Trasporti Milanesi.