Overview
The energy transition isn’t just about adding low carbon impact power generation to the grid – it’s about transforming the infrastructure behind it. GRiDEA is GE Vernova’s portfolio of grid solutions designed to help utilities and industries reduce carbon emissions without compromising performance. The solutions focus on eliminating the need for SF₆ gas in our high-voltage equipment while also reducing raw material consumption.
Learn More About Our GRiDEA Portfolio
SF₆ (or Sulphur Hexafluoride) has been the industry standard gas used inside high-voltage electrical equipment as an insulating and arc-quenching medium. However, SF₆ is also listed as a potent greenhouse gas according to the Kyoto Protocol, with 24,300* times the comparative Global Warming Potential of CO₂ and a lifetime of 1,000* years in the atmosphere. As an increasing number of companies worldwide become more attentive to the environmental impact of their operations, we offer commercially available and viable decarbonized alternatives to SF₆ that help utilities, industries, and data centers reduce their carbon footprint.
*Based on the Sixth Assessment Report adopted by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
g³ is GE Vernova’s solution for SF₆-free high-voltage metal-enclosed switchgear, using a CO₂-O₂ based gas mixture with a small percentage of an additive called fluoronitrile. Launched in 2014, it shows a 99% reduction of gas contribution to global warming compared to SF₆. In addition, it allows us to avoid incurring additional CO₂e emissions induced by a strong increase of critical raw materials such as aluminum compared to synthetic air insulation. With a product portfolio already available for up to 420 kV, our SF₆-free solutions deliver the same insulating and switching performance as SF₆, accelerating the journey towards a SF₆-free world.
GE Vernova uses a CO₂-O₂ gas mixture as a switching medium in its live tank circuit breakers for up to 420 kV as an alternative to SF6. The CO₂-O₂ circuit breakers feature the same ratings and same dimensional footprint as the state-of-the-art SF₆ ones, while allowing for a 99.99% reduction of the gas contribution to global warming, comparatively.
GE Vernova’s SF₆-free product roadmap aims to eliminate the need for SF₆ in all types of high-voltage switchgear using a CO₂-O₂ or CO₂-O₂-C4F7N gas mixture instead. Since 2014, a wide range of products has been made available for up to 420 kV. The priority was given to grids with the highest voltage levels to eliminate as much SF₆ as possible as fast as possible.
GE Vernova’s dual-gas GIS technology allows for operation with SF₆ today while being fully compatible with g³ for future conversion and decarbonization initiatives. The development path includes gas-insulated substations from 72.5 kV up to 420 kV deployments now and extends to 550 kV SF₆-free high-voltage switchgear solutions in the coming years.
Yes, some of the older substations can be retro-filled with a g³-like gas mixture, especially gas-insulated substations and gas-insulated lines, which represent the equipment with the largest SF₆ mass. We are currently developing this solution in frame of our SECO2ND LIFE GIS project which consists of replacing the SF₆ gas inside most of the GIS compartments with a CO₂-N₂-C4F7N gas mixture while limiting parts replacement. The solution is planned to be commercially available in 2026.
Independent lifecycle assessments confirm that g³ GIS products as well as dead tank circuit breakers for utilities and industries can reduce gas contribution to global warming by about 99%, equivalent to tens of thousands of tons of CO₂ over the equipment’s lifetime. Additional sustainability gains come from recycled metals and reduced strategic raw material use—making it lifecycle-assessed switchgear.
GE Vernova offers full power grid support, including engineering consulting, installation supervision, operator training, and digital asset monitoring. Utilities also gain access to comprehensive SF₆-emission reduction solutions, predictive maintenance analytics, and cybersecurity-ready monitoring tools for long-term grid decarbonization success.
In addition to the reduction of raw materials, we utilize a circular economy framework for using recycled materials in our equipment, including recycled copper and aluminum as well as recycled steel and oil for transformers. We are dedicated to an improved product lifecycle.
Many regions offer financial incentives, tax credits, or carbon offset funding for utilities implementing GIS decarbonization and comprehensive SF₆-emissions reduction solutions. By transitioning to SF₆-free switchgear such as g³, utilities can avoid potential future SF₆ regulatory penalties—making GRiDEA decarbonization equipment for power grids both an environmental and financial win.
2024 Sustainability Report
Explore our 2024 Sustainability Report to learn how we’re advancing decarbonization and measurable progress across our operations and value chain.
Product Stewardship and Circularity
Discover how our Product Stewardship and Circularity framework outlines our approach to responsible materials management, product life cycle thinking, and circular economy principles.
Typical Life Cycle Assessment for Switchgear
Review a typical life cycle assessment for switchgear, illustrating how products are evaluated from raw material extraction through manufacturing, use, and end-of-life.
News and stories
GE Vernova to deliver the world’s first 245 kV SF6-free gas-insulated substation for RTE
Powering the Transition to a Low-Carbon, Resilient, and Electrified World
SF₆-FREE PRODUCT PORTFOLIO DEVELOPMENT
GE Vernova SF₆-free Roadmap
The EU supports once again GE Vernova's project by co-funding the development of a SF₆ retro-filling solution
EU affirms confidence in GE Vernova's g³ technology by co-funding development of its 245kV g³ GIS
U.S. DOE awards $3.7mn for decarbonizing 245 kV dead tank circuit breakers with g³ gas technology
EU supports GE Vernova's development of a 420 kV CO₂-O₂ circuit breaker
EU's LIFE program awards €2.2 mn for world's first SF₆- free 420 kV GIS circuit breaker
SF₆-free Range of Products
Let us move away from SF₆ no later than today. We launched our SF₆-free technology at CIGRE in Paris in 2014. Ten years later, a wide range of products up to 420 kV with reduced carbon footprint is already available. Check here to explore our SF₆-free product range to meet your new substation or substation extension project specifications and help you reach your net-zero objectives.
SF₆-free Live Tank Circuit Breakers
SF₆-free Dead Tank Circuit Breakers
SF₆-free News Room
Latest News On SF₆-Free Switchgear
GE Vernova, DryDocks World Consortium Awarded Contract For Germany's Ostwind 4 Project.
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Read more news on SF₆-FREE
GE Vernova, DryDocks World Consortium Awarded Contract For Germany's Ostwind 4 Project.
Read the article
Read more news on SF₆-FREE
SF₆-FREE PRODUCT PORTFOLIO DEVELOPMENT
EU's LIFE program awards €2.2 mn for world's first SF₆- free 420 kV GIS circuit breaker
EU supports GE Vernova's development of a 420 kV CO2-O2 circuit breaker
U.S. DOE awards $3.7mn for decarbonizing 245 kV dead tank circuit breakers with g³ gas technology
EU affirms confidence in GE Vernova's g³ technology by co-funding development of its 245kV g³ GIS
The EU supports once again GE Vernova's project by co-funding the development of a SF₆ retro-filling solution
Project references
Our SF₆-free insulating and switching products offer a proven alternative to SF₆ that provides technical, environmental and financial advantages.
Connect with our global SF₆-free team today to learn more
Key Benefit
Videos & Testimonials
This collection of videos and industry expert talks explores HV switchgear using SF₆ free insulating and switching gaseous technology. Discover what GE Vernova replacement for SF₆ gas means for HV equipment.
