Flyer · EN — Six-page 2024 Siemens Energy flyer announcing the 8VM3 Blue GIS as 'coming soon' to the Blue portfolio: compact clean-air gas-insulated switchgear up to 72.5 kV with Zero CO2e emissions. It combines proven vacuum switching technology with clean air insulation (80% nitrogen, 20% oxygen), presents the four 'Zero' value pillars, positions the design as based on the proven 8DN8 GIS with higher performance at the same footprint for onshore/offshore grid and renewables applications, and gives two full technical tables: an indoor/outdoor variant up to 3,000 A / 50 kA (1,555 t CO2e saved by not using SF6) and an indoor variant up to 1,250 A / 31.5 kA deliverable with up to three factory pre-assembled bays (2,673 t CO2e saved).
The cover announces the 8VM3 Blue GIS as 'Coming soon to our Blue portfolio: Compact gas-insulated switchgear up to 72.5 kV — Clean air switchgear with Zero CO2e emissions', pointing to siemens-energy.com/blue-products.
Renewable energy sources are key to the decarbonization of the energy sector — and as the demand for power increases, a new generation of wind power plants is needed to handle the higher voltage created. At the same time as increasing capacity, it is essential to achieve Zero Global Warming Potential (GWP) in the transmission of power as well as in its generation.
Most high-voltage electrical switchgear still uses SF6 gas for insulation — but this is 24,300 times more climate-hostile than CO2 and stays in the atmosphere for up to 1,000 years. Recognizing the harmfulness of SF6 and other F-gases, the EU has legislated to restrict their use and allows only GWP < 1 solutions if available.
The Blue switchgear portfolio, including the compact 8VM3 Blue GIS, uses Zero fluorinated gases of any kind and has Zero harmful impact on the environment.
The flyer presents the Blue formula as 'Vacuum technology + Clean air = Blue'. Clean air insulation is positioned as the future of switchgear in wind farms and the wider grid, and the only way to achieve Zero GWP and Zero toxicity.
The 8VM3 Blue GIS combines proven vacuum switching technology with clean air insulation. It operates with Zero harmful greenhouse gases of any kind, Zero toxic decomposition products and Zero safety requirements during handling and maintenance.
The clean air used — consisting of 80% nitrogen and 20% oxygen, cleaned and free of humidity — can be released into the atmosphere with Zero harmful effects to people or the environment. At the same time, the 8VM3 maintains the highest standards of technical performance and reliability, together with low lifecycle costs.
Zero environmental impact: Zero SF6 and other F-gases, Zero greenhouse gas emissions, Zero GWP.
Zero impact on health & safety: Zero toxic insulation gases, Zero toxic decomposition products, Zero special safety measures needed during maintenance, Zero disposal of gases required at end of life.
Zero regulation: Zero regulations on gas handling or density checks, Zero reporting and accounting of gases required, Zero F-gas training needed, Zero issues with current and potential legislation against F-gases.
Zero compromise on performance and reliability: specifically designed for wind turbine conditions; compact, modular design makes multiple configurations possible; maintenance-free vacuum interrupter; factory-assembled and fully tested; high operational and switching performance; 10+ years of experience in HV vacuum switching up to 145 kV; low operational costs throughout the entire lifecycle.
Perfect size and required performance for versatile applications and switchgear arrangements: the 8VM3 Blue GIS design is based on the long-time proven 8DN8 GIS design — but with higher performance at the same footprint. With its enhanced module kit, the 8VM3 Blue GIS provides dedicated solutions where space is limited and compactness is required, like in renewables applications.
Four application fields are illustrated: (1) onshore grid and industry, (2) onshore renewables — wind and solar, (3) offshore substation, (4) offshore wind.
A sidebar explains that global warming is the rising of the global temperature due to emissions of greenhouse gases, and that the 8VM3 reduces the GWP significantly by substituting SF6. Two independent bullet lists contrast the burdens of SF6 with the freedoms of clean air (aligned by topic below; the 'non-toxic, non-hazardous' clean-air bullet has no SF6 counterpart in the flyer).
| SF6 | Clean air |
|---|---|
| High environmental impact | No enviromental impact (sic, as printed) |
| Costs for special maintenance and gas density checks | No density checks |
| Costs for special trainings | Training-free |
| Costs for reporting and taxes | Reporting-free |
| Costs for gas recycling | Gas recycling-free |
| — | Non-toxic, non-hazardous |
The higher-rated variant is shown with a bay photo and a single-line diagram (devices labelled -QZ1, -QZ2, -BC1, -QZ9, -BA9, -QC9, -XB1) and a badge stating '1,555 t CO2e saved' — the footnote qualifies the saving as 'by not using SF6 for insulation'.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum system voltage | up to 72.5 kV |
| Rated frequency | 50 / 60 Hz |
| Rated continuous current | up to 3,000 A |
| Rated short-time withstand current | 50 kA, 3 s |
| Drive mechanism of circuit breaker | stored-energy spring |
| Interrupter technology | vacuum |
| Insulation medium | clean air |
| Rated filling pressure | 0.66 MPa abs |
| Bay width common pole drive | 800 mm |
| Bay height / depth (depending on bay arrangement) | 2,600 / 4,440 mm |
| Ambient temperature range | -50 °C up to +55 °C |
| Installation | indoor / outdoor |
| First major inspection | > 25 years |
| Expected lifetime | > 50 years |
| Standards | IEC / IEEE |
The compact indoor variant is captioned 'Switchgear with up to three bays pre-assembled in the factory', shown with a three-bay photo and a single-line diagram (devices labelled -QZ91, -QA1, -XB1, -BC1). The visible badge states '2,673 t CO2e saved' (footnote: by not using SF6 for insulation).
Fidelity note: the PDF text layer of this page additionally contains an overlapping hidden badge reading '1,701 t CO2e saved*'; only the 2,673 t value is visible in the rendered page.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum system voltage | up to 72.5 kV |
| Rated frequency | 50 / 60 Hz |
| Rated continuous current | up to 1,250 A |
| Rated short-time withstand current | 31.5 kA, 3 s |
| Drive mechanism of circuit breaker | stored-energy spring |
| Interrupter technology | vacuum |
| Insulation medium | clean air |
| Rated filling pressure | 0.60 MPa abs |
| Bay width common pole drive | 1,050 mm |
| Bay height / depth (depending on bay arrangement) | 2,400 / 2,200 mm |
| Ambient temperature range | -30 °C up to +40 °C |
| Installation | indoor |
| First major inspection | > 25 years |
| Expected lifetime | > 50 years |
| Standards | IEC / IEEE |
The Siemens Energy Blue portfolio covers many more F-gas free product lines and ratings; more information at siemens-energy.com/blue-products.
Published by Siemens Energy Global GmbH & Co. KG, Grid Technologies, Erlangen, Germany; for the U.S. published by Siemens Energy, Inc., Grid Technologies, Raleigh, NC, USA. © Siemens Energy, 2024. Subject to changes and errors; performance features are binding only when expressly agreed upon in the concluded contract.
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