Rigid air duct Busduct

insulated

Overview
The Blue portfolio eliminates climate-harming F-gases from high-voltage switchgear by combining vacuum switching with clean-air insulation. Designed for utility, industrial and renewable applications, Blue products target zero global warming potential while preserving technical performance and lifecycle competitiveness.

Technology
Blue solutions use proven vacuum interrupter switching together with clean-air insulation to replace SF6 in selected product families. With over a decade of high-voltage vacuum switching experience, the portfolio delivers comparable switching and insulation performance to SF6-based equipment while reducing ecological impact and total cost of ownership.

Factory & Supply Chain
Manufacturing capacity for vacuum interrupters has been expanded to secure supply. Investments include an upgraded Berlin production site operating on 100% renewable energy to support increased vacuum interrupter output and supply-chain reliability.

EU-supported LIFE Blue project
The LIFE Blue project (GIS 420 kV) validates the economic and technical viability of an F-gas-free 420 kV GIS under real grid conditions. Supported by EU funding and carried out with transmission system operator partners, the project demonstrates clean-air insulation and vacuum switching at higher voltages.

Blue portfolio key messages

• Zero F-gases in insulation and switching
• Vacuum switching technology for high-voltage applications
• Clean-air insulation to reduce global warming potential
• Maintains performance and lifecycle cost competitiveness

Product highlights (selected Blue products)

• 8VM3 1 Blue GIS: 72.5 kV compact modular GIS; suitable for onshore substations, industry, renewables and offshore applications.
• 3AV1 Blue LT Circuit Breaker: 145 kV live‑tank vacuum circuit breaker with clean-air insulation; footprint comparable to SF6 products.
• 3AV1 Blue DT Circuit Breaker: 145 kV dead‑tank vacuum circuit breaker with clean-air insulation; footprint comparable to SF6 products.
• 8VM3 Blue GIS: 72.5 kV customizable GIS with modular design; applicable to conventional substations and offshore wind; Digital Sensgear™ options available.
• 8VM1 Blue GIS: 72.5 kV GIS optimized for wind turbine integration with vacuum circuit breaker and clean-air insulation.
• 8VN1 Blue GIS: 145 kV GIS featuring vacuum circuit breaker and clean-air insulation; optimized footprint using LPIT.
• Gas-Insulated Busduct (GIB): First busduct with clean-air insulation for voltages up to 420 kV; delivers significant F-gas savings versus conventional solutions.

Installations & References
The Blue portfolio is deployed in multiple projects, demonstrating operational maturity:

• Offshore wind farms with SF6-free GIS bays delivered for major wind projects
• Ports and industrial sites converted to Blue switchgear to enable clean power with no F-gases
• High-voltage substations built without SF6 and equipped for digital integration to improve asset performance
• National firsts demonstrating higher-voltage performance and validated economic feasibility

Sustainability & Benefits

• Zero Global Warming Potential by eliminating SF6 and similar F‑gases
• Zero toxicity and reduced environmental risk
• Maintained or improved technical performance and lifecycle cost
• Enables digital integration for predictive maintenance and improved grid reliability

Characteristics / Technical specifications

• Insulation: clean air (alternative to SF6) for selected product families
• Switching technology: vacuum interrupters for high-voltage switching
• Voltage classes referenced: 72.5 kV, 145 kV and up to 420 kV (for busduct)
• Product types: GIS bays (8VM1, 8VM3, 8VN1), vacuum circuit breakers (3AV1 live‑tank and dead‑tank), gas‑insulated busducts
• Design attributes: compact modular designs; variants optimized for offshore wind turbine integration and onshore substations
• Digital features: options for integrated Digital Sensgear™ and Noedra Node substation digitalization
• Manufacturing & supply: increased vacuum interrupter production capacity; factory operations supported by renewable energy