SF6-Free Routes for Electrical Equipment (S-FREE)

The goal of the Topic is to support development of alternative technologies which substitute SF6 in GIE with alternative gas, alternative gas mixtures, or vacuum-based technologies and address SF6 emissions across the life cycle of the equipment. Within the scope of this program, ARPA-E expects to evaluate the viability and risks associated with alternative gas solutions, identify potential new alternative gases or gas mixtures that meet or exceed the performance of SF6 at a GWP approximately equal to CO2, accelerate development and testing of vacuum-dry air or vacuum-solid dielectric technologies for high voltage (at or above 245 kV) applications, design sensors that enable earlier leak detection, create new pathways for the permanent fixation of SF6 for end-of-life disposal, and/or develop recycling processes for alternative gases and gas mixtures.