Environmental footprint of SF6-free MV switchgear: A sensitivity analysis

Abstract

This thesis investigates the environmental footprint of SF6-free medium-voltage (MV) switchgear using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology. Since fully commercial SF6-free switchgear is still under development, the functional unit used in this study is based on an existing air-insulated switchgear design, which serves as a possible base for future SF6- free systems. A simplified LCA model was developed in Excel, focusing solely on Global Warming Potential (GWP) and including emissions from both material production and the use phase. In parallel, an extended LCA model was built in openLCA using the ecoinvent 3.8 database, covering multiple environmental impact categories and accounting for material and transportation emissions. Both models were applied to the defined functional unit, representing a three-module, indoor MV switchgear unit over a 30-year lifetime. To assess how design and sourcing choices influence environmental impact, a sensitivity analysis was performed, including scenarios such as European material sourcing, recycled steel use, increase of the copper conductor radius and lifetime extension. Transportationrelated emissions were also explicitly modeled in the extended LCA to evaluate their relative contribution. Results show that material production—particularly of steel, aluminum, and copper—dominates the environmental footprint, and that design and sourcing decisions can lead to the reduction in GWP through combined improvements. The thesis demonstrates how simplified and extended LCA approaches can be used to support more sustainable product development in the field of electrical power engineering