Primary switchgear 8VN1 Blue GIS

AChigh-voltagevacuum

Overview
The Siemens Energy Blue portfolio provides SF6-free high-voltage switchgear solutions using clean-air insulation and vacuum switching. Designed for substations, renewables, offshore and industrial grids, Blue targets zero F‑gases and minimal environmental and health impact while maintaining proven electrical performance.

Key technological approach
Blue products combine vacuum circuit-breaker technology and clean-air insulation to eliminate fluorinated gases (SF6) without compromising switching performance or lifecycle cost. The portfolio builds on over 10 years of high-voltage vacuum switching expertise to deliver reliable operation across voltage classes.

Selected products and highlights

• 8VM3 Blue GIS: 72.5 kV, compact modular GIS for onshore grids, industry, renewables and offshore substations; integrated Digital Sensgear™ for enhanced asset productivity.
• 8VM1 Blue GIS: 72.5 kV GIS optimized for wind-turbine applications, featuring vacuum circuit-breaker and clean-air insulation.
• 8VN1 Blue GIS: World’s first 145 kV GIS with vacuum circuit-breaker and clean-air insulation; optimized footprint using LPIT.
• 3AV1 Blue LT Circuit Breaker: World’s first 145 kV live-tank vacuum circuit-breaker with clean-air insulation; same footprint as SF6 equivalents.
• 3AV1 Blue DT Circuit Breaker: World’s first 145 kV dead-tank vacuum circuit-breaker with clean-air insulation; same footprint as SF6 equivalents.
• Gas-Insulated Busduct (GIB): Clean-air insulated busduct for voltages up to 420 kV; potential reduction of up to 60% F-gases compared with traditional solutions.

Manufacturing and supply chain
Siemens Energy invested €60 million in a Berlin facility to expand production of vacuum interrupters; the plant operates on 100% renewable energy to strengthen supply security and reduce the portfolio's lifecycle emissions.

Partnerships and projects
The LIFE Blue project (EU-backed, in partnership with Elia) demonstrates an F-gas-free 420 kV GIS. Blue installations are deployed in projects including Hornsea 3 (offshore wind), Bergen Port, Burladingen (Netze BW) and first F-gas-free sites in Finland.

Digitalization
Blue switchgear integrates digital solutions (Noedra Node, Digital Sensgear™) for real-time data acquisition, analytics and secure automation to support condition monitoring, predictive maintenance and operational decision-making.

Technical specifications

• Insulation: clean air (replacing SF6)
• Switching technology: vacuum interrupters / vacuum switching
• Target emissions: Zero F-gases, Zero toxicity
• GWP of SF6 (reference): 24,300
• Voltage ratings (examples): 72.5 kV (8VM3, 8VM1), 145 kV (3AV1 LT/DT), up to 420 kV (GIB)
• Design: compact modular designs for onshore, offshore and wind-turbine integration
• Digital features: Digital Sensgear™ embedded; Noedra Node for substation digitalization
• Manufacturing: Berlin vacuum interrupter factory running on 100% renewable energy; €60 million investment
• Experience: >10 years of high-voltage vacuum switching development and deployment