Flyer · EN — Siemens Energy flyer (© 2025) presenting the Blue Gas-Insulated Busducts (Blue GIB): F-gas-free gas-insulated busducts that combine vacuum technology with clean-air insulation for voltages up to 420 kV with Zero CO2e emissions and Zero harm. Includes the two-column ratings table for the up-to-145 kV and up-to-420 kV classes and a whole-lifecycle GWP comparison of an SF6-insulated 8DQ1 GIB 420 kV against the 8VQ3 Blue GIB 420 kV with clean air, saving 2,158 t CO2e.
Renewable energy sources are only part of the solution as we aim for the decarbonization of the energy sector — the flyer argues it is essential to achieve Zero Global Warming Potential (GWP) in the transmission of power as well as in its generation.
Most switchgear still uses SF6 for insulation — a gas 24,300 times more climate-hostile than CO2 and one which stays in the atmosphere for up to 1,000 years. Recognizing the harmfulness of this and other F-gases, the EU has legislated to restrict their use and allows only GWP < 1 solutions if available.
By contrast, Siemens Energy's future-ready Blue portfolio, including the gas-insulated busducts, uses Zero fluorinated gases of any kind and has Zero harmful impact on the environment. The concept is summed up on the page as: vacuum technology + clean air = Blue.
The sustainable, Zero harm alternative to SF6 is clean air — per the flyer, the only way to achieve Zero GWP. The Blue gas-insulated busducts operate with clean-air insulation: 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 busducts maintain the highest standards of technical performance and reliability, together with low lifecycle costs. They are capable of handling voltages up to 420 kV — while the handling, transportation and operation of the units require Zero special training.
The flyer's sidebar groups the Zero claims into four categories.
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: voltage levels up to 420 kV, and perfect for low-temperature applications without liquefaction of the insulating medium.
Ratings as printed in the flyer for the two Blue gas-insulated busduct voltage classes. The table closes with the note "Other values on request".
| Parameter | up to 145 kV | up to 420 kV |
|---|---|---|
| Rated frequency | 50/60 Hz | 50/60 Hz |
| Rated short-duration power-frequency withstand voltage (1 min) | up to 275 kV | up to 650 kV |
| Rated lightning impulse withstand voltage (1.2/50 µs) | up to 650 kV | up to 1,425 kV |
| Rated switching impulse withstand voltage (250/2500 µs) | — | up to 1,050 kV |
| Rated normal current | up to 3,150 A | up to 5,000 A |
| Rated peak withstand current | up to 170 kA | up to 170 kA |
| Rated short-time withstand current | up to 63 kA (1 s) | up to 63 kA (3 s) |
| Leakage rate per year and gas compartment (type-tested) | < 0.1 % | < 0.1 % |
| Insulation medium | clean air | clean air |
| Weight of SF6 or other fluorinated greenhouse gases | 0 kg | 0 kg |
| Minimum pole distance | — | 1,200 mm |
| Ambient temperature range | -50 °C up to +55 °C | -50 °C up to +55 °C |
| Installation | indoor / outdoor | indoor / outdoor |
| First major inspection | > 25 years | > 25 years |
| Expected lifetime | > 50 years | > 50 years |
| Standards | IEC / IEEE | IEC / IEEE |
The flyer defines global warming as the rising of the global temperature due to emissions of greenhouse gases, and states that Blue gas-insulated busducts reduce the GWP significantly by substituting SF6.
Its whole-product-lifecycle chart compares an 8DQ1 GIB 420 kV with SF6 for insulation against an 8VQ3 Blue GIB 420 kV with clean air for insulation, in kg CO2e (the chart prints European thousands separators, normalized here): material/manufacturing/transport 428,366 vs 136,046; operation over 40 years 1,739,145 vs 241,377; end of life 219,546 vs -148,848. In total the Blue gas-insulated busducts save 2,158 t CO2e.
Footnotes state: GWP of the insulation gas = 0, and the GWP of power losses depends on the generation mix — for a renewable energy mix (e.g. hydro, wind) it is GWP = 0. A side-by-side box contrasts SF6 (high environmental impact plus costs for special maintenance and gas density checks, special trainings, reporting and taxes, and gas recycling) with clean air (no environmental impact, non-toxic and non-hazardous, no density checks, training-free, reporting-free, gas recycling-free).
The Siemens Energy Blue portfolio covers many more F-gas-free product lines and ratings. More information is available at siemens-energy.com/blue-products.
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