![Photo Credit: Pfiffner Collaborating to Address the Challenges of a Sustainable and Environmentally-Friendly Power Systems Future](/images/2023/09/07/MAIN.jpg)
Photo Credit: Pfiffner
It is clear that the shift towards sustainable power generation is unavoidable. The need for clean electricity is rising rapidly, and so is the importance of ensuring the safety and reliability of the power grid. In addition, the current and future energy market demands novel approaches for managing and coordinating the power grid. To support a sustainable energy supply, all power systems-oriented organizations should chart their course for the future by strategically implementing innovative solutions.
![Image](/images/2023/09/07/pfiffner_circuit-breaker.png)
Transforming the grid - Innovative technologies requested
The commitment of many stakeholders to reduce CO2 emissions is triggering many changes in the power T&D sector. E-mobility and heat pumps as replacements for oil & gas driven mobility and heating systems are requesting a higher demand for electrical power. Large bulk power from offshore renewables must be transferred via DC systems. Regulations in different countries call for replacing the extremely good insulation gas SF6. Fluctuating power generation from solar and wind power plants challenges the grid. It demands long-term and short-term energy storage solutions and grid control inventions on the system control level.
![Image](/images/2023/09/07/ejaf_123_rendering.png)
SF6-gas-free instrument transformers for AIS applications
In addition, the electrical infrastructure is reaching end-of-life and requesting replacement after 35-40 years in service. The call for fewer power losses in our electrical grid is triggering the application of new technologies, which shall be competitive to keep the energy cost at an acceptable level. Both investment streams in new and existing infrastructure are stressing the whole ecosystem of our T&D industry and grid owners/operators.
These are fascinating times for all people along the value-added chain of our T&D segment.
Our PFIFFNER Group is well-positioned in this sector and has heavily invested in developing products and solutions to cope with the demand of our customers. Our brand PFIFFNER has launched the first series of SF6-gas-free instrument transformers for AIS applications. In addition, an F-gas-free life-tank circuit breaker is in the development stage and will be 2025 available on the market. This shall help our customers massively reduce their CO2 footprint and eliminate the efforts to report an SF6 balance.
Offshore platforms are costly, and therefore weight and space are constraints. Resin-impregnated busbar solutions from our brand, MOSER GLASER, instead of cables, shall help our customers to overcome these constraints. The market demand for this solution is proving that this concept has a value-add for our customers.
Low losses characterize an efficient grid. All grid elements shall function with low electrical losses. Highly accurate transformer loss measuring systems from our brand HAEFELY shall prove the efficiency of transformers. With extremely short measuring time and high reliability, we guarantee a short throughput time in transformer factories.
Retrofit solutions like our new center breaker disconnector earthing switch fully type tested in the voltage range of 72 – 420 kV from our brand ALPHA-ET or the new DC current transformer from PFIFFNER for HVDC, traction or AC grids to measure the DC content complement our offering to our customers to support the transition of the electrical grid
![Image](/images/2023/09/07/offshore-busbars_20180418_071608.jpg)
DURESCA® offshore busbars
Transforming the grid – calling for people to join our sector
Our T&D sector has lost its attractiveness in recent years while others gained. It is visible in the low number of students in our power systems sector and the substantial number of open positions. The root causes are our conservative and less innovative business environment and our habit of doing good things, but not talking about them. We have to change our image to overcome the situation. Therefore, we have to act fast: starting initiatives like supporting the high-voltage faculties of universities, going to schools and attracting apprentices who can later perform the service jobs in substations, or organize trade events to network and share knowledge.
![Image](/images/2023/09/07/zeroflux_01.png)