Flyer · EN — Six-page 2024 Siemens Energy flyer introducing the 8VM3 Blue GIS, a compact clean-air gas-insulated switchgear rated up to 72.5 kV that eliminates SF6 and all fluorinated gases for zero CO2-equivalent emissions. It combines maintenance-free vacuum interrupter technology with clean-air insulation (80% nitrogen, 20% oxygen), targets wind and other renewables applications onshore and offshore, and builds on the proven 8DN8 GIS design with higher performance at the same footprint. Two technical variants are specified: a 3,000 A / 50 kA version and a 1,250 A / 31.5 kA version, both with vacuum interrupters, stored-energy spring drives, first major inspection after more than 25 years, and an expected lifetime beyond 50 years per IEC / IEEE standards.
The 8VM3 Blue GIS is announced as a coming addition to the Siemens Energy Blue portfolio: compact gas-insulated switchgear rated up to 72.5 kV that uses clean air insulation and produces zero CO2-equivalent emissions.
The flyer frames the product against the decarbonization of the energy sector. As renewable generation grows, a new generation of wind power plants must handle higher voltages, and zero Global Warming Potential (GWP) must be achieved in power transmission as well as generation.
Most high-voltage switchgear still relies on SF6 gas for insulation, which is 24,300 times more climate-hostile than CO2 and persists in the atmosphere for up to 1,000 years. Recognizing this, the EU has legislated to restrict SF6 and other F-gases, permitting only solutions with GWP below 1 where 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 8VM3 Blue GIS pairs proven vacuum switching technology with clean air insulation — presented in the flyer as the formula 'vacuum technology + clean air = Blue'. It operates with zero harmful greenhouse gases, zero toxic decomposition products, and zero special safety requirements during handling and maintenance.
The insulating clean air consists of 80% nitrogen and 20% oxygen, cleaned and free of humidity, and can be released to the atmosphere with no harmful effect on people or the environment. Clean air insulation is positioned as the only way to achieve both zero GWP and zero toxicity in switchgear for wind farms and the wider grid.
Despite the change of insulation medium, the 8VM3 maintains high technical performance and reliability together with low lifecycle costs.
The flyer summarizes the value proposition as four 'Zero' pillars.
Zero environmental impact: zero SF6 and other F-gases, zero greenhouse gas emissions, zero GWP.
Zero impact on health and safety: zero toxic insulation gases, zero toxic decomposition products, zero special safety measures needed during maintenance, and zero gas disposal required at end of life.
Zero regulation: no regulations on gas handling or density checks, no reporting or accounting of gases, no F-gas training, and no exposure to current or future legislation against F-gases.
Zero compromise on performance and reliability: specifically designed for wind turbine conditions; compact, modular design enabling multiple configurations; maintenance-free vacuum interrupter; factory-assembled and fully tested; high operational and switching performance; more than 10 years of experience in HV vacuum switching up to 145 kV; and low operational costs throughout the entire lifecycle.
The 8VM3 Blue GIS design is based on the long-proven 8DN8 GIS design but delivers higher performance at the same footprint. Its enhanced module kit provides dedicated solutions where space is limited and compactness is required, such as renewables applications.
Four application fields are called out: onshore grid and industry, onshore renewables (wind and solar), offshore substations, and offshore wind.
A side-by-side comparison contrasts the ongoing burdens of SF6 with the freedoms of clean air; the two columns are independent bullet lists in the flyer, aligned here by topic where a counterpart exists. The flyer also notes that the 8VM3 reduces GWP significantly by substituting SF6, since global warming is driven by greenhouse gas emissions.
| SF6 | Clean air |
|---|---|
| High environmental impact | No environmental impact |
| 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 single-line diagram and a stated saving of 1,555 t CO2e 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 can be delivered with up to three bays pre-assembled in the factory. The flyer cites savings of 1,701 t CO2e and 2,673 t CO2e for the illustrated configurations 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 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 beyond the 8VM3; details are available at siemens-energy.com/blue-products.
Click any figure to enlarge.