Assignment # 5

HIGH VOLTAGE ENGINEERING

NAME :KHIZAR HAYAT

Roll no. : 190503
SECTION :BEEP-7-A
Submitted to :
DR. ASHFAQ AHMAD

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL & COMPUTER

ENGINEERING
AIR UNIVERSITY ISLAMABAD
 PROBLEM STATEMENT

Environmental Impact of HV Products [CLO-03, PLO-7]

High voltage (HV) products play an important role in the next-generation power
sector towards compact and intelligent substations, HV direct current (HVDC)
and ultra-HV direct current (UHVDC) transmission links between cities and
countries, and integration of renewable energies in an existing energy system.
Hitachi Energy is among the leading global manufacturers of HV products such
as generator circuit breakers (GCBs), switchgears, transformers, disconnectors
and power capacitors (see figure 1).

Figure 1: Hitachi Energy’s HV Products

(https://www.hitachi.com/products/energy/)

Typically, HV products have a lifetime of 30-40 years, so there is a large time gap
between the production and recycling of the products. It is therefore relevant to
investigate the environmental impact of Hitachi’s HV products.
The focus in the assignment is the assessment of the environmental impact of
Hitachi Energy’s two main HV products: GCBs and transformers. You may use
the following research questions as a basis for your investigations in this
assignment.
(a) What is the environmental impact of the materials used in the manufacturing
of Hitachi’s HV products (GCBs and transformers only)? [Hint: investigation of
green house emissions]
(b) How these two HV products are currently managed at their end-of-life stage in
different regions of the world? [Hint: investigation of reuse and recycling methods]
(c) Which end-of-life management methods would you prefer and why?
 (A)
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT GCBS AND TRANSFORMERS:
Generally, the manufacturing of electrical equipment uses energy, produces waste, and emits
greenhouse gases and other pollutants, all of which can affect an effect the environment. The use
of specific materials, such cooling liquids and insulation materials, can also affectan an effect on
the environment.
The environmental impact of the materials used in the production of Hitachi's high voltage (HV)
products, such as gas-insulated circuit breakers (GCBs) and transformers, might vary depending
on the particular materials utilised and the manufacturing procedures used.
Hitachi has made it very clear that it is determined to minimize the environmental effect of its
operations and goods, and it has put in place numerous measures to decrease the amount of
energy use, waste, and emissions. For instance, the business has created transformers and GCBs
that are energy-efficient, and it has put strategies in place to use less harmful components in its
products.
It is significant to remember that a product's environmental impact extends beyond its production
and encompasses both its usage and disposal. When evaluating a product's environmental impact,
it's vital to take into account the entire lifecycle of the product. The operation and maintenance of
HV items can also affect the environment.

(B)
When a high voltage (HV) product reaches the end of its useful life, such as a transformer or a
gas-insulated circuit breaker (GCB), how it is handled varies depending on the product and the
area in which it is placed. Generally speaking, managing electrical equipment at the end of its
useful life might involve a number of tasks, such as the reuse and recycling of materials, the safe
disposal of hazardous materials, and the proper disposal of the product to limit the possibility of
environmental impact.
Hitachi claims to be dedicated to managing its products responsibly towards the end of their
useful lives and has put up several number of strategies to help achieve this. For instance, the
company has launched steps to restrict the use of hazardous materials in its products to
minimize the possible environmental impact of their disposal. It has also established systems for
collecting and recycling electrical equipment at the end of its life.
The management of HV products after the end of their useful lives may be governed by a
number of laws and standards that specify the proper disposal and recycling techniques in
various parts of the world. Depending on the particular product, the materials used in its
construction, and the potential environmental effects of its disposal, these laws and standards
may change. To reduce the potential environmental impact of their disposal, businesses like
Hitachi must make sure that their products are managed in line with these laws and standards.
 (C)
End-of-life management methods :
 Reuse and refurbishment:
Reuse and refurbishment are two possible end-of-life management strategies for these
products. In comparison to disposal and replacement with a new product, this may entail fixing or
upgrading the item to increase its usable life. Users of the product may find that this strategy saves them
money by allowing them to keep using the equipment rather than having to buy new equipment.

 Recycling
Recycling is an additional possible end-of-life management strategy. To do this,
the product may need to be disassembled into its component pieces so that elements like metal,
plastic, and insulation can be recovered and used to create new items. Recycling can reduce the
need for raw materials, the amount of energy needed to create new goods, as well as waste and
pollution.
Whatever the end-of-life management strategy chosen, it is crucial to make sure that HV goods
are disposed of safely and responsibly to reduce any potential environmental impact. This may
entail handling and disposing of the product properly to avoid product contamination of land or
water, as well as the proper disposal of hazardous compounds, such as coolants and insulating
materials.
I will prefer Reuse and refurbishment due to long life of item and saves money.