Schneider Electric has showcased its growing portfolio of SF6-free medium-voltage switchgear with the GM AirSeT.

The new GM AirSeT is the green and digital primary GIS technology for electrical networks and demanding applications in industrial buildings and critical infrastructure.

The company is already working closely with customers – from utilities and industry to buildings and data centres – seeking to advance toward pure air and away from SF6. The first commercial projects incorporating GM AirSeT are underway in Europe.

The timing of this new arrival is well aligned with the EU Commission’s 5 April 2022 proposal to tighten F-gas regulation. This includes sulphur hexafluoride (SF6), which is the world’s most potent greenhouse gas and is widely used in electrical equipment to power electro-intensive industrial installations, large buildings and the grid.

GM AirSeT ends heavy industries’ reliance on SF6 by combining the latest gas-insulated switchgear with pure air and vacuum technology.

“Tighter regulation and the fact that the technology exists to remove SF6 from the climate equation means that time is up. The momentum toward environmental improvements in power systems has never been stronger,” Schneider Electric executive vice president of power systems and services, Frederic Godémél says.

“And we are ready to support our customers with the highly awarded green and digital technologies.”