In the ongoing effort to meet the targets outlined in the Paris climate agreement, the world is steadily accelerating its commitment to decarbonise economies and move away from fossil fuels towards greener energy sources. As a result, our future energy landscape is shaping up to be a mix of energy sources such as solar, wind and hydrogen.
However, each of these sources bring their own challenges, where energy output can depend on ever-changing weather conditions or even the time of day. This poses a significant challenge for grid operators who are striving to maintain a predictable, stable energy system that homes and businesses can rely on.
To manage the increasing diversity of energy sources, the power grid of the future needs an upgrade to make it smarter and safer. Recognising this need, the US Energy Department is investing almost $4 billion to enhance the country's power grid. Similarly, the UK’s National Grid is proposing a substantial investment of up to £19 billion over the next seven years to achieve the Government's decarbonisation target for the grid by 2035.
In this dynamic landscape, Halma's safety companies play a crucial role by providing technologies that safeguard the new infrastructure and protect the people who run it and maintain it every day.
Safe energy generation and distribution
The safety of the energy transmission and distribution network is crucial. Fires in places where electricity is generated or distributed, like substations, can not only be expensive to fix, but can also pose a risk to human life. The fires usually originate in switchgears, motor control units, electrical panels and transformers. These components are responsible for managing the flow of electricity and the power's strength. They work together to ensure electricity is distributed and used safely and efficiently.
FirePro’s environmentally friendly suppression systems can detect and extinguish a fire at its source which is critically important in reducing the risk of injury to workers and damage to critical assets. Firetrace installs its fire suppression systems in areas where electrical fires are more likely to occur, limiting the damage caused by a fire.
Working with switchgear presents operational safety challenges, including the risks of unauthorised access and unsafe operating practices. This can potentially lead to electrical accidents. Sentric addresses these challenges with specialised solutions designed to uphold strict safety protocols. Its technology acts as a protective shield, preventing workers from accessing switchgear during unsafe conditions and ensuring that operational sequences are accurate and secure. One of their customers operates substations that lower the voltage to the right level for local distribution into homes and businesses. By using Sentric's safety technology, they make sure employees follow a safe step-by-step process when grounding the equipment or working with high voltage cables.
A sustainable power grid
OsecoElfab creates solutions to keep people, equipment, and the environment safe. Its rupture discs are specialist pressure release devices that activate in milliseconds to release heat and pressure. This protects against dangerous surges caused by electrical faults which could lead to fires that damage the equipment or, worse, explosions that endanger life. For instance, in switchgear used for electricity distribution, their special rupture disc technology protects against dangerous surges caused by electrical faults.
This helps prevent fires that could damage equipment or, even worse, explosions that could hurt people. Thanks to its technology, switchgears can now be designed to keep people and equipment safe.
Safer and more sustainable energy
As the global community transitions to a more sustainable energy mix, the challenges posed by the variability of renewable sources requires a smarter grid. Governments worldwide are investing significantly in upgrading their grids to accommodate a more diverse range of energy sources. Using protective technology ensures that when we generate, send, and use electricity, it's done safely.
By focusing on safety, we're not only building a better power grid but also protecting the people involved in running and maintaining it. As we adapt to the changes in our energy system, keeping the grid safe and reliable is crucial for a greener and more resilient future.
