Smart-environmentally-friendly circuit breaker for switching on/off renewable energy sources and energy storage

Purpose and goal

The aim of the project was to develop an environmentally friendly electrical breaker for renewable energy sources and energy storage. Environmental aspect is achieved by excluding hazardous insulation materials such as sulphur hexafluoride and an environment where electric arc does not produce any hazardous substances. Switches in renewable energy sources/storage trip many times more per time unit than in traditional energy production. It must have greater resistance to transient voltages. The project has successfully developed a product / method that reduce that impact.

Expected results and effects

The project has succeeded in developing a modern 40kV electric vacuum circuit breaker for connection of renewable energy sources and energy stores. The product is completely free of sulphur hexafluoride in insulation. The breaker does not produce any hazardous synthetic substances as thionyl sulphide and sulphur tetrafluoride in the breaking moment. The special construction and design are meant to minimize the risk of electrical breakdown in the insulation. The result is above our expectations. This technology can be used alternatively for other purposes.

Planned approach and implementation

Design and implementation have been done according to the project plan. It started with the research of literature on existing techniques, theories and possible patents. The result lies in the project´s expectations. The project required many more working hours of our staff then described by WP. The big challenge was to find competent specialists in the field. The participants have gained new and very important knowledge that helps the company to grow within the niche and stimulated the company´s innovation ability to see different approaches to the same problem.