Our Game-Changer: Supercritical CO₂?
At WattEdge, we’re pioneering the use of supercritical CO₂ in high-voltage switchgear, offering utilities, grid operators, and industrial power users a scalable, future-proof, and truly sustainable alternative to SF₆.
🌍 Environmentally Safe & Sustainable
Global Warming Potential (GWP) of 1 – SF₆ has a GWP of 23,500, meaning its climate impact is 23,500 times greater than CO₂. In contrast, CO₂ has a GWP of just 1, making it an environmentally neutral solution for the power grid.
Non-toxic, non-flammable, and readily available, SF₆ is a synthetic gas that requires specialized production and has long-term storage concerns. CO₂, on the other hand, is abundant, safe to handle, and has no toxicity concerns, making it easier and safer to integrate into power infrastructure.
No long-term environmental impact – SF₆ lingers in the atmosphere for thousands of years, while CO₂ is reabsorbed into the natural carbon cycle, ensuring a truly sustainable and future-proof solution for grid operators.
⚡ High-Performance Electrical Insulation
Dielectric strength comparable to SF₆ – scCO₂ offers a breakdown voltage suitable for high-voltage insulation, providing the necessary reliability for utility-scale transmission systems.
Superior mean free path and ionization properties – The electron mean free path in scCO₂ is optimized for insulation, reducing the likelihood of dielectric breakdown under high-voltage conditions.
Scalable for both AC and emerging DC grids – With the rise of high-voltage direct current (HVDC) systems, scCO₂ provides an insulation solution that works across both AC and DC networks, ensuring compatibility with next-generation renewable energy and transmission technologies.
🔧 Scalable, Cost-Effective & Future-Proof
Designed for both new installations and retrofit applications, WattEdge’s scCO₂ switchgear is engineered to replace SF₆ without requiring a full system overhaul, allowing seamless retrofits and new system deployments.
No specialized handling requirements like SF₆ – Unlike SF₆, which requires specialized gas recovery, leak detection systems, and disposal procedures, scCO₂ is safe to handle and does not require costly monitoring programs.
Eliminates costly SF₆ compliance, monitoring, and disposal fees – Regulatory agencies are tightening restrictions on SF₆, requiring utilities to invest in leak prevention, emission tracking, and costly end-of-life disposal programs. With scCO₂, these expenses disappear, providing long-term cost savings and compliance security.
Unmatched Arc-Quenching Capabilities
Excellent thermal properties for rapid arc cooling – The high heat capacity and thermal conductivity of sCO₂ allow it to absorb energy from an electrical arc quickly, reducing temperature spikes and enhancing system stability.
Faster gas flow dynamics enhance arc dissipation – The low viscosity of supercritical CO₂ enables rapid expansion and fast arc quenching, minimizing the risk of prolonged arcing and energy loss.
Minimizes energy losses and wear on switchgear components – Unlike SF₆, which requires frequent monitoring for leaks and gas degradation, sCO₂ maintains consistent performance over time, leading to longer equipment lifespans and lower maintenance costs.
The Science Behind sCO₂ in High-Voltage Switchgear
Supercritical CO₂ exists at conditions above its critical point (31°C, 73.8 bar), where it transitions into a dense, highly mobile fluid with properties that outperform conventional gases and liquids used in high-voltage applications
