Mainz 2022 – scientific programme

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P: Fachverband Plasmaphysik

P 16: Invited talks IV

P 16.1: Invited Talk

Thursday, March 31, 2022, 11:00–11:30, P-H11

Effect of the green energy revolution on circuit breakers and switches in electrical power distribution systems — •Erik D. Taylor — Siemens AG, Berlin, Germany

Green energy and the general energy revolution are widely discussed as key components in reducing the magnitude of climate change. Most discussions focus on converting to electrical power produced from green sources. However, an important piece of this puzzle is the electrical distribution and transmission systems required to enable this transformation. Green energy and the increased use of electrical power creates new demands on the circuit breakers and switches in electrical distribution systems. The first part of this talk will describe why you need circuit breakers and switches on electrical distribution systems, and what they do. The second part will look at what requirements and applications have changed for these circuit breakers. This includes new requirements from increased usage and the replacement of SF6-based circuit breakers, new conditions created by green energy sources, and the switching of DC currents. The final part will look at how these problems are being solved using vacuum interrupters and vacuum switchgear and look at the plasma physics problems involved with their use.