Hitachi Energy unveils two transformer innovations
New SF₆-free bushings and compact OLTC design aim to support grid sustainability and meet the changing needs of transformer applications and standards.
Image credit: Hitachi Energy
Germany, Berlin: At the CWIEME conference in Berlin, Germany, Hitachi Energy presented two new transformer component developments: the GARIP® Eco bushing and the VUBB Compact on-load tap-changer (OLTC). These components aim to address emerging demands in transformer design and environmental compliance.
The GARIP Eco is designed for gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) systems that no longer rely on sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆), a potent greenhouse gas. As SF₆-free alternatives gain traction due to environmental regulations, components like bushings must adapt to higher gas pressures and different performance requirements. GARIP Eco supports a variety of gas mixtures and GIS designs and is compatible with both new and retrofit applications. It retains thermal and dielectric characteristics from earlier models and has already seen successful use in several European installations.
Also introduced was the VUBB Compact, an OLTC developed to support smaller, more efficient transformer designs. Part of the T-Sync™ portfolio, this tap-changer is available in four versions tailored to different voltage classes and design constraints. Its compact form reduces material use and carbon impact, while offering flexibility for installation in space-constrained environments.
These two additions target key industry shifts: away from SF₆ and toward decentralised energy systems and compact infrastructure. While the GARIP Eco addresses evolving gas standards in transmission systems, the VUBB Compact meets the space and performance needs of modern transformer configurations.
Source: Hitachi Energy
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