Hitachi Energy and Linxon support National Grid in achieving sustainability targets through pioneering 420 kV SF6-free gas-insulated switchgear technology

Strengthening key power infrastructure in London while reducing carbon footprint

Zurich, Switzerland, Dec. 21, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Hitachi Energy and Linxon are collaborating to strengthen London Power Tunnels (LPT), a key power infrastructure project that will ensure reliable, clean electricity supply for England’s capital city. To support National Grid in accelerating its net zero targets, Hitachi Energy will deliver EconiQ™ 420-kilovolt (kV) gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) and gas-insulated lines (GIL) containing no sulfur hexafluoride (SF6).

As one of the world’s largest investor-owned transmission and distribution utilities, National Grid has the ambition to remove all SF6 from its fleet by 2050. In 2020, it embarked on LPT project that will replace ageing high-voltage electricity cables and expand network capacity to meet the increasing electricity demand. Considered to be one of the city’s largest engineering projects since the 1960s, the LPT will span 32.5 kilometers via underground tunnels in South London.

Linxon is building Bengeworth Road substation for National Grid to develop the LPT infrastructure. To support National Grid in its transition to SF6-free solutions, Hitachi Energy will deliver 7 bays of its EconiQ 420 kV GIS to enable the transmission of electricity over long distances while eliminating SF6, in addition to EconiQ 420 kV GIL. The EconiQ high-voltage portfolio is 100 percent as reliable as the conventional solutions based on SF6. The installation is expected to commence by 2023.

“We’re delighted that Bengeworth Road substation, at the heart of London Power Tunnels, will be SF6-free,” said Onur Aydemir, National Grid Project Director for London Power Tunnels. “This key power project will deliver a secure energy supply to the capital, and by using sustainable technology we are minimizing the environmental impact of our operations to support the transition to Net Zero.”

“Following the successful collaboration with National Grid on the world’s first replacement of SF6 in existing high-voltage equipment and award-winning project in Richborough, UK, we are proud to be supporting National Grid again in its transition to SF6-free solutions,” said Markus Heimbach, Managing Director of the High Voltage Products business at Hitachi Energy. “The EconiQ GIS is based on our breakthrough SF6-free 420 kV circuit-breaker that demonstrates the reliability and scalability of the technology for the lowest carbon footprint.”

“Linxon is building the infrastructure to power the world with carbon free energy. Thanks to strong collaboration with Hitachi Energy, Linxon is able to provide the pioneering EconiQ SF6-free solution from Hitachi Energy for the Bengeworth substation, supporting our client to meet their sustainability targets”, said Stefan Reisacher, CEO of Linxon.

EconiQ is Hitachi Energy’s eco-efficient portfolio for sustainability, where products, services and solutions are proven to deliver exceptional environmental performance. Hitachi Energy has placed sustainability at the heart of its purpose and is advancing a sustainable energy future for all.

About Hitachi Energy

Hitachi Energy is a global technology leader that is advancing a sustainable energy future for all. We serve customers in the utility, industry and infrastructure sectors with innovative solutions and services across the value chain. Together with customers and partners, we pioneer technologies and enable the digital transformation required to accelerate the energy transition towards a carbon-neutral future. We are advancing the world’s energy system to become more sustainable, flexible and secure whilst balancing social, environmental and economic value. Hitachi Energy has a proven track record and unparalleled installed base in more than 140 countries. Headquartered in Switzerland, we employ around 40,000 people in 90 countries and generate business volumes of approximately $10 billion USD.

https://www.hitachienergy.com
https://www.linkedin.com/company/hitachienergy
https://twitter.com/HitachiEnergy

About Hitachi, Ltd.

Hitachi drives Social Innovation Business, creating a sustainable society with data and technology. We will solve customers’ and society’s challenges with Lumada solutions leveraging IT, OT (Operational Technology) and products, under the business structure of Digital Systems & Services, Green Energy & Mobility, Connective Industries and Automotive Systems. Driven by green, digital, and innovation, we aim for growth through collaboration with our customers. The company’s consolidated revenues for fiscal year 2021 (ended March 31, 2022) totaled 10,264.6 billion yen ($84,136 million USD), with 853 consolidated subsidiaries and approximately 370,000 employees worldwide. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company’s website at https://www.hitachi.com.

About Linxon

Linxon commenced operations on September 1, 2018, undertaking turnkey electrical alternating current substation projects related to renewable and conventional power generation, power transmission and transportation solutions. Substations enable the efficient and reliable transmission and distribution of electricity. Within the substation, switchgear controls and protects the network from power outages and facilitates reliable electricity supply. (https://linxon.com/)

Attachment

Jocelyn Chang
Hitachi Energy
+41793847775
jocelyn.chang@hitachienergy.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8718382

Graphenea launches specialty chemical spin-off KIVORO

Quality Control

Analysis of a specialty chemical

SAN SEBASTIAN, Spain, Dec. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Graphenea S.A., a world-leading graphene producer, has launched a spin-off company. KIVORO is a specialty chemicals company that is focused on creating solutions for industrial challenges.

Let’s go faster! KIVORO’s tagline refers to the agility and speed when collaborating with the company and combined with their keep-it-simple approach they are breathing new life into the specialty chemicals sector. Jeremey Shipp, Sales Director at KIVORO notes, “We are working on complicated industrial challenges, but we’re uncomplicated to deal with. We understand our clients are looking for solutions, not problems, and we are a straight-forward, agile organisation.”

KIVORO goes beyond graphene, Jesús de la Fuente, CEO comments, “KIVORO was spun out to allow us to commercialise our current industrial solutions and move beyond graphene. We will naturally maintain our leading expertise in carbon and nanomaterials, but we are firmly focused on developing the right specialty chemicals for our clients’ industrial challenges to bring about operative efficiencies and emissions reduction.”

Quality Control

Conducting quality control analysis

KIVORO works with many industries from construction, coatings, filtration, composites, and others. They have developed several high-performance additives ranging from their Cement Enhancer to Energy Storage, Composites, Adhesives, Rubber Latex, Coatings and beyond. One of their proudest achievements is their net zero status, Jesús de la Fuente, CEO commented, “We are relentless in our pursuit of improvements to achieve great results with a positive impact on performance and planet. All our products are carbon neutral and in most cases our products allow our customers to improve their carbon footprint saving money at the same time.”

Specialty Chemical Production

Head of Production, Xabier Ulacia overseeing production

About Graphenea
Graphenea is a technology company created in 2010 specialised in the production of graphene, it has clients in more than 60 countries and offices in San Sebastián (Spain) and Boston (USA). Graphenea supports its customers by producing new forms of graphene from graphene field-effect transistors to graphene oxides, whilst maintaining its leadership in the expanding graphene production sector.

Kivoro Plant

Specialty chemical production plant

About KIVORO
KIVORO is Graphenea’s corporate spin-off and is the culmination of many years working in the additives and nanotechnology sector where they have built up extensive cross industry know-how and expertise in specialty chemicals. KIVORO has been created to enhance and add value to clients’ products, by designing the best chemical additive for their application.

Contact Us
[email protected]
www.kivoro.com

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:
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https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1d48c8e0-f6bb-42f0-9934-057015eab749

Kivoro Plant

Specialty chemical production plant

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GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 1000772584

Hitachi Energy selected as technology partner to support the transmission of renewable power between Canada and the United States

Substantial modernization of a key transmission system in Canada will support the transfer of electricity between Montreal and New York.

Zurich, Switzerland, Dec. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Hitachi Energy, a global technology leader that is advancing a sustainable energy future for all, today announced that it has been selected by Hydro-Québec for its high-voltage direct current (HVDC) technology for the transmission of electricity, which will ensure the sustainability of the energy exchange between the Quebec network, in eastern Canada, and New York State in the northeastern United States.

Hydro-Québec, the largest hydroelectricity producer in Canada and one of the largest hydroelectricity producers in the world, is a public company that generates, transmits, and distributes reliable, clean and renewable electricity in Québec. Thanks to its surplus energy, it supplies the Canadian provinces and the northeastern United States.

The Châteauguay HVDC system will enable the transmission of up to 1,500 megawatts of electricity between the electrical networks of Quebec and the state of New York which will contribute to maintaining a low carbon footprint in the region. This new system will replace existing equipment which has been in operation since 1984*1, increasing the efficiency and controllability, plus raising the power conversion capacity of the Châteauguay HVDC system*2 by 50 percent.

*1 Châteauguay “back-to-back” HVDC converter station

*2 Subject to authorization by the Régie de l’énergie du Québec of the project to replace the converter units at Châteauguay substation.

“We are proud to be returning to the Chateauguay HVDC station, after helping to build it almost four decades ago,” said Niklas Persson, Managing Director of Hitachi Energy’s Grid Integration business. “This new system represents an important enhancement to the ability to transmit large-scale hydro power between Canada and the United States, which will support the shift away from fossil fuel.”

Hitachi Energy is supplying a “back-to-back” converter station, which converts AC power to DC then reconverts it to AC from DC enabling the interconnection of the 735 kilovolt Canadian and 765 kilovolt New York grids which are “out of phase” and cannot be connected directly via traditional AC systems.

Note to editors:

Hitachi Energy’s HVDC solution combines world-leading expertise in HVDC converter valves; the MACH™ digital control platform*3, which enables renewables integration and manages voltage and frequency disturbances in the grid; converter power transformers and high-voltage switchgear; as well as system studies, design and engineering, supply, installation supervision and commissioning.

*3 Modular Advanced Control for HVDC (MACH™)

HVDC Light® is a voltage source converter technology developed by Hitachi Energy. It is the preferred technology for many grid applications, including interconnecting countries, integrating renewables and “power-from-shore” connections to offshore production facilities. HVDC Light’s defining features include uniquely compact converter stations and exceptionally low electrical losses.

Hitachi Energy pioneered commercial HVDC technology almost 70 years ago and has delivered more than half of the world’s HVDC projects.

HVDC website:

https://www.hitachienergy.com/offering/product-and-system/hvdc

About Hitachi Energy Ltd.

Hitachi Energy is a global technology leader that is advancing a sustainable energy future for all. We serve customers in the utility, industry and infrastructure sectors with innovative solutions and services across the value chain. Together with customers and partners, we pioneer technologies and enable the digital transformation required to accelerate the energy transition towards a carbon-neutral future. We are advancing the world’s energy system to become more sustainable, flexible and secure whilst balancing social, environmental and economic value. Hitachi Energy has a proven track record and unparalleled installed base in more than 140 countries. Headquartered in Switzerland, we employ around 40,000 people in 90 countries and generate business volumes of approximately $10 billion USD.

https://www.hitachienergy.com

https://www.linkedin.com/company/hitachienergy

https://twitter.com/HitachiEnergy

About Hitachi, Ltd.

Hitachi drives Social Innovation Business, creating a sustainable society with data and technology. We will solve customers’ and society’s challenges with Lumada solutions leveraging IT, OT (Operational Technology) and products, under the business structure of Digital Systems & Services, Green Energy & Mobility, Connective Industries and Automotive Systems. Driven by green, digital, and innovation, we aim for growth through collaboration with our customers. The company’s consolidated revenues for fiscal year 2021 (ended March 31, 2022) totaled 10,264.6 billion yen ($84,136 million USD), with 853 consolidated subsidiaries and approximately 370,000 employees worldwide. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company’s website at https://www.hitachi.com.

Attachments

Jocelyn Chang
Hitachi Energy
+41793847775
jocelyn.chang@hitachienergy.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8715203

Nikkiso Clean Energy & Industrial Gases Group Awarded DNV’s Management System Certificate and ISO 9001:2015 Certification

TEMECULA, Calif., Dec. 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Nikkiso Clean Energy & Industrial Gases Group (“Group”), a part of the Nikkiso Co., Ltd (Japan) group of companies, is proud to have been awarded DNV’s Management System Certificate and ISO 9001:2015 certification. The award was presented to George Pappagelis, President of Nikkiso Clean Energy & Industrial Gases group’s Process Systems unit. The certificate was issued to Cosmodyne LLC in Seal Beach California.

ISO 9001 is defined as the international standard that specifies requirements for a quality management system (QMS), helps businesses and organizations be more efficient and improve customer satisfaction. By obtaining and implementing the ISO 9001 certification and standardized management system, we can lower operational costs, improve our bottom line, offer a competitive advantage, improve reputation, and deliver better products and services – all of which ultimately benefit our customers!

“We believe that quality is a continuous process that requires us to never stop trying to improve,” according to George Pappagelis, President of Nikkiso Cosmodyne. “Our internal corrective action system helps assure that all of our internal systems, future processes and designs are as trouble-free as possible.”

ISO 9001 certification ensures that quality orientation is lived by each of our employees every day.

ABOUT CRYOGENIC INDUSTRIES
Cryogenic Industries, Inc. (now a member of Nikkiso Co., Ltd.) member companies manufacture and service engineered cryogenic gas processing equipment (pumps, turboexpanders, heat exchangers, etc.) and process plants for Industrial Gases, and Natural Gas Liquefaction (LNG), Hydrogen Liquefaction (LH2) and Organic Rankine Cycle for Waste Heat Recovery. Founded over 50 years ago, Cryogenic Industries is the parent company of ACD, Nikkiso Cryo, Nikkiso Integrated Cryogenic Solutions, Cosmodyne and Cryoquip and a commonly controlled group of 20 operating entities.

For more information, please visit www.nikkisoCEIG.com and www.nikkiso.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Anna Quigley
+1.951.383.3314
[email protected]

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8714983

U.N. Member States Remove Islamic Republic of Iran from Commission on the Status of Women

Today, the United Nations Member States acknowledged the courage of the Iranian women and girls leading this revolution and acted in favor of women’s rights by voting to revoke the regime’s membership on its preeminent body on gender issues.

NEW YORK, Dec. 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

This fall, a coalition of Iranian women, along with Vital Voices Global Partnership and For Freedoms launched a campaign calling for the immediate removal of the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) from the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) after the tragic death of Mahsa Jina Amini and ensuing protests. The following is a statement issued by the group in response to today’s vote by the Commission in favor of the IRI’s removal: 

Today the United Nations and its Member States heeded the call of Iranian women to remove the Islamic Republic of Iran from the U.N. Commission on the Status of Women. Earlier this year, to the dismay of women’s rights advocates around the world, the Islamic Republic began a second four‑year term on the 45‑member entity that serves as the preeminent global body dedicated to promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment. The final decision included 29 Member States voting in favor of removing the Islamic Republic of Iran from the Commision.

Today’s vote marks a pivotal step forward with the U.N. Member States removing a country from the Commission with an appalling record on women’s rights from its membership. Every day that the Islamic Republic of Iran was a member of the Commission on the Status of Women, the body lost credibility.

As we previously stated in an open letter published in The New York Times, the IRI’s long‑standing, systematic oppression of women and the absence of tangible improvements after decades of engagement, should have disqualified them from election to the Commission on the Status of Women.

Yesterday, Iranian women currently imprisoned inside the notorious Evin prison came out with tremendous courage in listing their names in support of this effort.

For decades, gender inequality and discrimination against women have been legally enshrined in the IRI. Under the regime’s penal code and other laws and regulations, Iranian women’s rights are severely restricted in marriage, divorce, inheritance and custody. In addition, they must comply with the IRI’s mandatory hijab laws from the onset of puberty.

Yet, the IRI was elected to the Commission on the Status of Women.

Today, we commend the Member States for upholding their duty to mandate and defend values that support gender equality and for standing on the right side of history by showing their outrage in the face of blatant state violence.

This is a critical moment for leaders in the international community to continue to vocally and unequivocally demonstrate their support for women’s rights by standing in solidarity with Iranian women and girls.

In solidarity with Iranian women and girls who are courageously demonstrating for their fundamental human rights, we condemn the brutal violence against peaceful protesters and the violence at the forceful hands of the Islamic Republic’s regime that includes executions, targeted attacks on women’s bodies, sham trials, mass imprisonment, sexual assault, beatings and torture.

To world leaders who are watching, we urge you to continue to meet the courage of the women leading this revolution and act within your realm of power and influence in favor of women’s rights, fairness and equality.

To the Iranian women who are on the ground continuing to fight tirelessly for basic human rights, we will continue to listen to you, support you, and boldly move in ways that provoke justice, fairness and equality for you and all women, all life and all freedom.

In Solidarity,

– Coalition of Iranian women leaders alongside Vital Voices and For Freedoms
www.womenlifefreedom.today

Visual Assets Available for Use: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqiBdtq2nnI

Attachments

Woman Life Freedon
Vital Voices, For Freedoms, and a Coalition of Iranian Women
[email protected]

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8714699