Brochure · EN — Three-page Siemens Energy brochure (© 2021, Switching Products & Systems) for the 8VM1 Blue GIS, a compact gas-insulated high-voltage switchgear rated up to 72.5 kV for on- and offshore wind turbine installations. It motivates the move to higher voltages inside wind turbine networks, explains the vacuum interrupter and clean-air insulation rationale (80% nitrogen / 20% oxygen, GWP 0, zero F-gases), shows typical single-line switchgear configurations for wind turbine installations, lists the main features, and prints the full technical data table: up to 1250 A continuous current, 31.5 kA short-circuit breaking current, 325 kV lightning impulse withstand, indoor installation, first major inspection after more than 25 years and an expected lifetime beyond 50 years.
Raising environmental awareness and increasing resource efficiency are essential, and offshore wind power makes a major contribution to meeting these challenges. Growing power demand calls for a new generation of wind power plants equipped with innovative technologies.
One core aspect: as wind turbine power increases, the industry is moving to higher voltages within the wind turbine network to decrease the current and therefore the cable losses. Compact, environmentally friendly gas-insulated high-voltage switchgear is where this shift can be served optimally.
The outstanding technical performance and low lifecycle cost of vacuum circuit-breakers have made them the preferred technology in medium-voltage grids up to 52 kV.
Relying on more than 40 years of expertise in medium-voltage vacuum-switching technology and more than 6 million delivered units, Siemens Energy introduced this proven technology to high-voltage grids above 52 kV in 2010. The switching technology is environmentally friendly: vacuum is utilized for arc extinguishing during circuit-breaker switching operations.
Vacuum interrupting technology facilitates the implementation of clean air as the insulating medium in gas-insulated switchgear. Siemens Energy's clean air technology is free of fluorinated greenhouse gases and supports the company's goal of developing completely environmentally friendly technologies. Clean air is composed of 80% nitrogen and 20% oxygen, cleaned and free of humidity.
Clean air technology has a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of 0 and is a non-toxic, non-harmful and safe medium. No specially trained personnel is needed for the transport, handling, or operation of the clean air GIS, and the expensive purchasing, handling, and recycling costs of sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) or other gases do not apply.
Although SF6 shows the best characteristics as an insulating and arc-quenching medium, the clean air switchgear solution emphasizes the green aspect of F-gas-free technology. The EU F-Gas Regulation no. 517/2014, in effect since January 1, 2015, brings reporting obligations on a frequent basis, training of personnel, and labeling and handling requirements, with the main goal of minimizing emissions of fluorinated greenhouse gases. There is also a movement in the USA and Korea to gradually ban SF6, based on available technology per voltage level.
The 8VM1 Blue GIS is a compact GIS solution designed for on- and offshore wind turbine installations, based on proven component technology.
It is designed using a well-proven modular components platform concept built on decades of manufacturing and operating experience — the same successful concept implemented in Siemens Energy's new generation of high-voltage gas-insulated switchgear. The brochure illustrates typical single-line switchgear configurations for wind turbine installations: from the HV transformer cable via the -BC1 and -XB1 components and the -QZ91 earthing switch, through the -QA1 circuit-breaker and -QZ92/-QZ93, down to the HV array cable interfaces (-XB2/-XB3), with voltage detection systems (VDS) at each cable interface.
World's leading environment-friendly and future-proof technology free of F-gases; the innovative clean air insulation medium significantly reduces carbon footprint.
Proven and maintenance-free vacuum interrupter technology; completely factory assembled, tested and shipped in a single transport unit; high operational safety; low operational costs throughout the entire life cycle.
Ratings as printed in the brochure. Other values on request; width and weight depend on GIS configuration.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Rated voltage | up to 72.5 kV |
| Rated frequency | 50/60 Hz |
| Rated short-duration power-frequency withstand voltage (1 min) | up to 140 kV |
| Rated lightning impulse withstand voltage (1.2/50 μs) | up to 325 kV |
| Rated continuous current | up to 1250 A |
| Rated short-circuit breaking current | up to 31.5 kA |
| Rated peak withstand current | up to 85 kA |
| Rated short-time withstand current (up to 1 s) | up to 31.5 kA |
| Internal arc classification of HV cable compartments | IAC A FLR 31.5 kA, 1 s (acc. IEC 62271-200) |
| Leakage rate per year and gas compartment (type-tested) | < 0.1 % |
| Drive mechanism of circuit-breaker | stored energy spring |
| Rated operating sequence | O-0.3 s-CO-3 min-CO |
| Interrupter technology | vacuum |
| Insulation medium | clean air |
| Weight of SF6 or other fluorinated greenhouse gases | 0 kg |
| Rated filling pressure | 0.56 MPa (abs.) |
| GIS width¹ | up to 2935 mm |
| GIS height | 2430 mm |
| GIS depth | up to 1230 mm |
| GIS weight¹ | up to 2.6 t |
| Ambient temperature range | -30°C up to +45°C |
| Installation | Indoor |
| First major inspection | > 25 years |
| Expected lifetime | > 50 years |
| Standards | IEC / IEEE |
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