Hyosung Heavy Industries Develops Low-Carbon High-Voltage Circuit Breakers, a Choice for the Environment

Hyosung Heavy Industries, a leader in the global high-voltage circuit breaker market, announced its dedication to creating global low-carbon power equipment by expanding its low-carbon high-voltage circuit breaker portfolio.

On the 23rd, Hyosung Heavy Industries announced its development roadmap for SF₆-free high-voltage circuit breakers (GIS, gas-insulated switchgear) utilizing C4-FN mixed gas. Alongside this, the company also presented its vision to support electrical grid operators worldwide in achieving carbon neutrality and reducing emissions.

□ Replacing greenhouse gases (GHG) with next-generation insulating gas, ‘C4-FN mixed gas’

Circuit breakers are electrical devices that promptly interrupt current when a fault or abnormal current occurs in transmission lines, substations, etc., serving to protect power equipment and prevent safety accidents.

SF₆ has been the primary insulating gas used in high-voltage circuit breakers for over 50 years, but it’s a global warming contributor with a global warming potential (GWP) 23,900 times that of carbon dioxide. Therefore, given the growing demand for decarbonization across the energy industry, the industry has been delving into ways to address this issue.

With its expanded application recently announced by Hyosung Heavy Industries, C4-FN mixed gas is a next-generation insulating gas that maintains performance equivalent to SF₆ while reducing GHG emissions by roughly 98%. Moreover, the entire process, including gas production, equipment manufacturing, and material use, is widely accepted to have the lowest environmental impact among other SF₆ alternatives.

□ SF₆-free solutions to be applied to all circuit breaker models by 2030

Hyosung Heavy Industries has already successfully commercialized C4-FN mixed gas technology in a 170kV high-voltage circuit breaker in Korea. Supported by its domestic research institute and European R&D center in the Netherlands, it has also led the development of various low-carbon power equipment solutions. Leveraging this expertise, the company aims to gradually expand its SF₆-free portfolio in the global market and cement its industry status as a "trusted partner" supporting global electrical grid operators in achieving their carbon reduction goals.

Hyosung Heavy Industries plans to apply in phases the SF₆-free solution utilizing C4-FN mixed gas to all its high-voltage circuit breakers (GIS) models, including 145kV high-voltage circuit breakers by 2026 and 800kV ultra-high-voltage circuit breakers by 2030.

According to market research firm Business Research Insights, the global SF₆-free circuit breaker market is forecast to grow from roughly USD 5.4 billion in 2024 to over USD 7.4 billion in 2033.

□ CEO Woo Tae-hee, "We will deliver solutions that combine high performance with environmental responsibility."

CEO Woo Tae-hee of Hyosung Heavy Industries affirmed, "This roadmap announcement marks a major milestone in Hyosung Heavy Industries' global sustainability strategy," and added, "Based on our proven experience in C4-FN mixed gas technology in Korea, we will deliver solutions that combine high performance with environmental responsibility to our global customers."