Clean air vacuum breaker installed in Jennings as part of achieving company sustainability goals

Insights > Clean air vacuum breaker installed in Jennings as part of achieving company sustainability goals

Clean air vacuum breaker installed in Jennings as part of achieving company sustainability goals

12/11/2024

In early November, Entergy Louisiana's specialized substation technicians installed and energized a high-voltage clean-air vacuum breaker at the Jennings substation. This new equipment is part of the first few installations for Entergy's four-state service area and the first installment of this size in the country for the manufacturing partner.

In our efforts to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050, Entergy is deploying multiple sustainable solutions from building solar generation and working to upgrade equipment like circuit breakers and cleaner technology.

The all-new circuit breaker is a 145kV high-voltage clean air vacuum breaker that replaced a high-voltage oil circuit breaker used to control the flow of power on the electric transmission system. The equipment uses a clean air mix of 80% nitrogen and 20% oxygen for its insulating medium rather than sulfur hexafluoride, a potent greenhouse gas. Energized November 6, 2024, the gas-free breaker is a pilot project we will monitor to understand how this kind of technology can help reduce our greenhouse gas footprint and emissions.

"Upgrading our electric grid and testing new advanced technology will not only help us reach sustainability goals, but also offers the best solutions to the communities we serve," said Jason Willis, Entergy Louisiana vice president of reliability. "we're excited to be at the forefront of innovation now and in the future."

Learn more about how we're building a cleaner, more resilient and sustainable power grid for everyone through innovative energy solutions like this one at www.entergy.com/future.