1. Voluntary SF6 Emission Reduction Partnership: Recent Achievements and Planned Activities
Volha Roshchanka
14 November, 2018

2. About the Partnership
Formed in 1999 between EPA and 48 Charter Partners
Designed to cost-effectively reduce SF6 emissions from electrical transmission operations
Currently 90 Partner utilities representing approximately 50% of total U.S. grid transmission miles
Total 2017 nameplate capacity = 10,651,469 lbs

3. Partnership Accomplishments
Between 1999 and 2017:
75% decrease in SF6 emissions of Partners
86% decrease in emissions rate (emissions/nameplate capacity)
Cumulative reductions of 7.2 million pounds of SF6 (compared to holding 1999 levels constant)
Equivalent to removing 15.9 million passenger cars off the roads for one year

4. 2018 Activities In 2017/18 focused on updating technical materials
Released a report “Overview of SF6 Emissions Sources and Reduction Options in Electric Power Systems”
Working in collaboration with utilities, service providers, equipment manufacturers, and others to finalize case studies
Responding to informational requests

5. 2018 Accomplishment: Overview Report
Examines SF6 emissions in the lifecycle process of switchgear. Based on 2016 GHGRP reported data, on average:
Manufacturing: 12% of total industry emissions
Shipping: unknown, understood to be minimal
Installation + Operation/Servicing: 76%
Storage: unknown, understood to be minimal
Retiring, disposal, recycling: 12%
Reduction approaches are synthesized based on:
Presentations, reports, information shared with the Partnership over the years
Case studies shared with us by Partners in discussion of the draft report
Reviewed by over a dozen Partner companies and stakeholders

6. 2018 Accomplishment: Overview Report
Recommended SF6 reduction options:
Establish a lifecycle approach for SF6 management through company policies, protocols, and SOPs.
Establish procedures for gas inventory, accounting, and tracking.
Ensure good management of SF6 acquisitions and gas inventory.
Train employees annually in SF6 handling and in using the necessary equipment.
Recycle SF6 gas at equipment servicing or disposal.
Implement leak detection and repair strategies.
Upgrade equipment to reduce SF6 use and leaks.
Decommission equipment properly.
For more information, please see Overview of SF6 Emissions Sources and Reduction Options in Electric Power Systems. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. August EPA Publication No. EPA 430-R See EPA’s website:

7. Planned Activities (2018-2019)
Continue to focus on updating technical information
Have started working on case studies in best practices
Webinar(s):
An efficient way to reach out to more members
Any feedback on topics of interest?
2019: twenty years since the Partnership was launched
Looking into opportunities to host/co-host a Partnership event

8. Proposed Topics for Technical Program Events
Topics for webinars and/or other technical materials:
Options for reducing losses of SF6 and emission sources
Overview of SF6 accounting: approaches and tools
Leak detection for SF6: equipment and company programs
Leak measurement
Handling of SF6
Recycling of SF6
Leak repair and equipment refurbishment
Guest speaker from GHGRP: SF6 reporting in e-GGRT Employee education/training programs
Disposal of hermetically sealed-pressure equipment
Options for small companies/users of SF6
Partner suggestions and input are welcome!

9. Thank you!
SF6 Emission Reduction Partnership for Electric Power Systems
Get involved – contact for opportunities to collaborate!
Volha Roshchanka