ABB Australia finalist in 2012 Banksia Environmental Awards

Power and automation technology group ABB has been selected as one of the finalists in the 2012 Banksia Environmental Awards in the Clean Technology - Harnessing Opportunities category for its sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆) gas recycling technology. The technology was developed by an Australian team and has been implemented at a dedicated SF₆ gas recycling centre at Moorebank, NSW.

The Banksia Environmental Awards are regarded as the most prestigious environmental awards in Australia. The Banksia Environmental Foundation, established in 1989, is a national not-for-profit organisation that promotes environmental excellence and sustainability through its awards program and other associated events. The Clean Technology - Harnessing Opportunities category recognises leadership and innovation in removing climate, waste and water impacts through the development and application of innovations that use new approaches, technologies and/or energy systems for business and community benefit.

“ABB is proud to be an award finalist and have its patented gas recycling technology recognised by the Banksia Environmental Foundation,” said Axel Kuhr, Country Manager for ABB in Australia. “For ABB, sustainability is about balancing economic success, environmental stewardship and social progress for the benefit of all its stakeholders.”

Being a finalist in the 2012 Banksia Environmental Awards recognises ABB for its innovative and successful approach to developing a technology for the comprehensive recycling of contaminated SF₆ gas. The technology is based on a new energy-efficient cryogenic process.

The patented technology has been successfully commercialised at a dedicated SF₆ recycling plant ABB has established in Sydney, with international applications to commence shortly. The purity of recycled SF₆ gas using the technology is about 99.99% and is in accordance with technical grade IEC 60376 (the standard for new gas), which enables SF₆ to be re-used again and again in electrical equipment. Using recycled SF₆ gas will help reduce carbon emissions and could result in a cost savings potential of up to 30%.

In addition, a focus on delivering best practice gas management of SF₆, a high potential global warming gas, also delivers beneficial environmental outcomes. The technology closes the lifecycle of SF₆, ensuring a minimal environmental footprint for this gas; a gas that is vital for the efficient, safe and reliable transmission of electricity.

SF₆ gas is extensively used in the electrical industry for dielectric insulation and current interruption in circuit breakers, switchgear and other electrical equipment. Pressurised SF₆ gas is used for the safe and reliable operation of gas-insulated switchgear as it has a much higher dielectric strength than air or dry nitrogen, making it possible to significantly reduce product footprint and enable installation in constrained spaces. However, its lifecycle management is a challenge for utility and industrial users. The cost of handling SF₆ in a compliant manner can also be substantial, particularly when decommissioning ageing substations.

The Banksia Award winners will be announced in Melbourne on 26 October 2012.