Schneider Electric, BRPL Launch India’s First SF6-Free RMU Pilot for Sustainable Power Distribution
Mumbai: Schneider Electric has partnered with BSES Rajdhani Power Limited (BRPL) to deploy India’s first RM AirSeT 12kV Indoor Ring Main Unit (RMU) pilot integrated with the T300 Field Remote Terminal Unit (FRTU), aimed at supporting a more sustainable and digitally connected electricity distribution network.
According to the companies, the project replaces sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) gas with pure air insulation, reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with medium-voltage switchgear. The deployment is expected to reduce nearly 75 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e) emissions during the capital expenditure phase.
The pilot comes as Delhi’s peak electricity demand is projected to exceed 9,000 MW, driven by urbanisation and increasing cooling requirements. Utilities are exploring technologies that improve grid reliability while reducing environmental impact.
As part of the project, Schneider Electric deployed its SF6-free RM AirSeT 12kV solution, which uses pure air insulation instead of conventional gas-insulated switchgear. The system has been integrated with the company’s T300 Field Remote Terminal Unit (FRTU), enabling remote monitoring and control through BRPL’s Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) network.
Commenting on the development, Deepak Sharma, Zone President – Greater India, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Schneider Electric India, said sustainable technologies need to become an integral part of India’s power infrastructure as the country advances its energy transition goals.
Udai Singh, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Schneider Electric Infrastructure Ltd and Vice President – Power Systems, Schneider Electric India, said the development of sustainable and digitally enabled distribution networks will play an important role in strengthening grid reliability while supporting India’s transition towards cleaner energy.
According to the company, this is the first deployment in India where RM AirSeT 12kV Indoor RMUs were sourced from Schneider Electric’s SBMV global manufacturing facility, while integration of the FRTU was completed at the company’s MVI plant in India. Schneider Electric also conducted specialised training for Indian teams at its AMT Hungary plant to support deployment of the new technology.
A BRPL official said the pilot project provides practical insights into the use of SF6-free and connected technologies for the future development of electricity distribution networks in India.
The companies stated that the RM AirSeT solution integrated with the T300 FRTU offers operational benefits by eliminating concerns related to SF6 leakage during operation and removing the need for SF6 recovery and recycling at the end of the equipment’s lifecycle.
According to Schneider Electric, the BRPL pilot is expected to serve as a reference project for the wider adoption of SF6-free medium-voltage solutions across India’s power distribution sector.
