University of Manchester supporting National Grid’s Strategic Innovation Fund - Sustainable Electrical Gas Insulated Lines

The University of Manchester is supporting a Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) from Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem). This project will investigate the feasibility of delivering a SF₆-free Gas Insulated Line (GIL) solution to provide cost competitive, high-capacity transmission connections over 2000 MVA to increase available network capacity for new offshore wind generation at scale to homes and businesses across the UK. The project will look at the options to replace SF₆ with alternative low carbon footprint gases as a viable means of GIL insulation.

Ofgem announced on 1 March 2022 the funding award for the  feasibility study and Dr Tony Chen will investigate the technical feasibility of a SF₆-free GIL solution in providing high-capacity transmission connections over long-distance.

Current generation of GIL are filled with sulphur hexafluoride (SF₆), a potent greenhouse gas with a global warming potential that is 23,500 times more harmful than CO₂. The project will explore SF₆ alternatives with significantly lower carbon footprint.

The feasibility stage will be undertaken by Dr Chen at The University of Manchester which hosts the largest academic High Voltage Laboratory in the country, with facilities that can test power equipment up to 600 kV DC, 800 kV AC, and 2 MV impulse.

Dr Chen, Lecturer in High Voltage Engineering within the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, said: “Now is the time for innovation and to develop a grid of the future that manages soaring demand for electricity, while lowering the potential environmental impact and ensuring the UK has access to affordable and resilient electricity supply.

“At Manchester, we are committed to delivering a just and prosperous net zero energy, and are honoured to work alongside National Grid Energy Transmission and the other project partners who share the same technical and civic ambitions.”