World-first EconiQ retrofill at 550 kV will cut SF₆ emissions while preserving full grid performance and reliability
Hitachi Energy and EGAT to complete the first-ever eco‑efficient gas retrofill at the 550 kV level, setting a new benchmark for eco-efficient high‑voltage infrastructure
The project will eliminate ~800 kg of SF₆ and avoid 97 tonnes of CO₂‑equivalent emissions, delivering a 95% reduction in climate impact
Existing 550 kV gas‑insulated lines are upgraded without modifying primary equipment, minimizing operational disruption
Hitachi Energy, the global leader in electrification, in collaboration with the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), will complete the world’s first 550 kilovolt (kV) application of eco-efficient EconiQ® retrofill technology on existing, inservice assets originally designed for sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆). This breakthrough project will preserve Thailand’s grid performance while delivering a measurable reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The project is scheduled for completion in December 2026.
EGAT will upgrade 130 meters of 550 kV gas-insulated lines (GIL) at the Nan Substation using Hitachi Energy’s EconiQ high-voltage technology. The project replaces existing SF₆ with an advanced eco-efficient gas mixture without modifying or replacing any primary equipment.
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This upgrade enables EGAT to eliminate approximately 800 kg of SF₆, avoid 97 tonnes of CO₂-equivalent emissions and deliver a more than 95 percent reduction in CO₂-equivalent impact whilemaintaining full performance and system reliability1.
“Together with EGAT, we are delivering the world-first EconiQ retrofill at 550 kV, setting a new global benchmark,” said Wolf Mueller, CEO, Service, Hitachi Energy. “This project demonstrates how upgrading existing high‑voltage infrastructure can accelerate the path to net-zero.”
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“EGAT is committed to leading Thailand’s energy transition with responsibility and professionalism,” said Mr. Narin Phoawanich, Governor of EGAT. “This project supports our mission to secure a sustainable future for the nation and all Thai people.”
The EconiQ retrofill underscores EGAT’s commitment to maximizing the performance of its existing infrastructure while reducing environmental impact. This project demonstrates a practical path to reducing emissions from existing high-voltage assets while minimizing operational disruption.
Scheduled for completion in December 2026, the project will align with Hitachi Energy’s global roadmap for SF₆-free high-voltage technologies and contribute to Thailand’s 2050 net-zero pathway.
EconiQ is Hitachi Energy’s eco-efficient portfolio designed for superior environmental performance, enabling customers around the world to advance their sustainability goals through proven, high‑impact technologies.
References:
1 Based on IPCC AR6 global warming potential values and IEC 62271-1 ed.2.1 2021-10, Section 6.16.3 IEC 62271-1.
About Hitachi Energy
Hitachi Energy is a global leader in electrification, powering the electricity era to meet the energy demands of today, and the next 25 years. As the energy arm of Hitachi Group, over three billion people depend on our pioneering, mission-critical technologies to power their daily lives. With over a century of innovation, we are addressing the most urgent energy challenge of our time: driving the evolution of the world’s energy system to ensure abundant, secure, affordable, and sustainable power for today’s generation and the next. With an unparalleled installed base in over 140 countries, we are the grid ecosystem partner across the utility, industry, data center, and transportation sectors. Headquartered in Switzerland, we employ over 56,000 people in 60 countries and generate revenues of around $20 billion USD.
Through its Social Innovation Business (SIB) that brings together IT, OT (Operational Technology) and products, Hitachi aims to be a global leader in continuously transforming social infrastructure through digital, contributing to a harmonized society where the environment, wellbeing, and economic growth are in balance. Hitachi operates worldwide across four sectors – Digital Systems & Services, Energy, Mobility, and Connective Industries – as well as a Strategic SIB Business Unit focused on new growth areas. With Lumada at its core, Hitachi creates value by combining data, technology and domain knowledge to solve customer and social challenges. Revenues for FY2025 (ended March 31, 2026) totaled 10,586.7 billion yen, with 606 consolidated subsidiaries and approximately 290,000 employees worldwide. Visit us at https://www.hitachi.com.
World Artificial Intelligence Conference Committee
The 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC), held alongside the High-level Meeting on Global AI Governance, opened in Shanghai on July 17. Under the theme "AI Partnership for a Brighter Future," the event brought together a growing number of countries and regions, covering the full spectrum of AI+ industrial and cross-border cooperation scenarios, and upholding the principle of people-centered AI for the benefit of all.
The opening day featured a record 100,000-square-meter tech exhibition with over 300 global debuts. A notable trend was AI's shift from digital to physical: collaborative robots handling real-world tasks, AI agents evolving from Q&A to complex execution, and smart devices embedding AI into daily routines.
The morning main forum opened with visionary keynotes. Turing laureate Richard S. Sutton introduced the "the era of experience," arguing that current LLMs rely on human-labeled data without independent exploration, and that real-world interaction feedback is key to advancing general intelligence. Yin Qi, chairman of StepFun and Qianli Technology, then envisioned embodied AI agents driving industrial transformation through model-native operating systems, upgraded hardware, and global intelligent networks.
An interdisciplinary roundtable, moderated by academician Weinan E, explored how AI and quantum technologies are reshaping research paradigms. Experts reached consensus that open global infrastructure and cross-border joint research can narrow the intelligence divide, while robust ethical guardrails are essential for responsible progress.
The afternoon flagship forum deepened discussions on foundational technologies, governance, industrial implementation, and youth innovation. Turing laureates John Hopcroft and Yoshua Bengio shared insights - Hopcroft urged forward-looking talent strategies and upgraded university education, while Bengio proposed three core principles: mandatory safety verification, standardized risk management, and equitable distribution of AI gains.
Specialized dialogues tackled new computing architectures, physical intelligence, world models, and embodied intelligence, with corporate speakers showcasing applications in biomedicine, manufacturing, and smart infrastructure. A youth roundtable highlighted young researchers and founders as key drivers of the industry's future. The SAIL Awards honored breakthrough AI projects.
Building on the consensus, three global documents and a case collection were released. The "AI Cooperation and Development Action Plan" set a roadmap for cross-border technological and industrial collaboration. The "The initiative on mutual trust and interconnectivity among artificial intelligence agents" advocated an open, secure and inclusive ecosystem for AI agents. The "The action plan on international artificial intelligence (AI) ethics governance" established a multilateral framework for global AI governance. The "AI from China Benefits the World (2026) Case Collection" showcased 10 real-world cases of Chinese AI empowering global development, offering concrete paths to inclusive AI benefits.
The conference runs until July 20, with follow-up forums and industrial events to advance cross-border cooperation. WAIC calls on global partners to turn consensus into action and build an inclusive, secure, and fair AI ecosystem.
Source: World Artificial Intelligence Conference Committee
About the International SOS Group of Companies; 40 years of saving lives
The International SOS Group of Companies is in the business of protecting and saving lives. Wherever you are, we deliver customized security risk management, health and wellbeing solutions to fuel your growth and productivity. In the event of a security incident, epidemic, extreme weather or any other business-disrupting event, we provide an immediate response, giving you and your workforce peace of mind. We uniquely combine industry-leading technology with expertise in security, medical and logistics to deliver prevention programs that offer real-time, actionable insights and on-the-ground support.
Founded in 1985, the International SOS Group has been saving lives for 40 years. Headquartered in London & Singapore, we are trusted by over 9,000 organizations. This includes the majority of the Fortune Global 500, as well as mid-size enterprises, governments,
educational institutions, and NGOs. Nearly 13,000 global experts stand with you to provide support & assistance from over 1,200 locations in 90 countries, over 110 languages, 24/7, 365 days a year.
We help protect your people and your organization, as well as support your compliance reporting needs. By partnering with us, your organization can fulfil its Duty of Care responsibilities and fortify its business continuity.
Organisations are increasingly considering AI as a leading tool for verifying risk information, as incidents involving false or misleading content continue to impact operations, according to new research from International SOS.
The Risk Outlook 2026 Pulse Check, a mid-year deep-dive into the most pressing concerns identified by risk professionals, found that nearly 60% of respondents view the greatest potential for AI is in verifying or validating information across multiple sources.
However, the findings also highlight growing concerns around misinformation and deception. More than four in ten respondents (42%) report that their organisation has either been affected by, or lacks sufficient visibility, to determine the impact of false, misleading or unverified information related to health, wellbeing or security risks. Respondents cited fake signals creating operational uncertainty, synthetic content increasing credibility risks, and targeted deception and impersonation.
Cvete Koneska, Global Security Director at International SOS, commented,
The potential is real, but so too is the risk of overestimating the maturity of current tools. While AI can help surface, synthesise and prioritise information at speed, verification remains a high-stakes task where careful human judgement remains indispensable, particularly when decisions can impact people’s health, safety, and security. Misplaced reliance on AI at this stage can amplify misinformation risks and delay critical decisions rather than improve them. The most prudent approach is a human-led model of integrating AI into risk management.
Irene Lai, Global Medical Director at International SOS added,
AI-generated deepfakes of real health professionals stating false information on measures to contain a natural outbreak is the new frontier of biowarfare, weaponised from a computer screen, without the need for introduction of a biological agent.
Beyond AI
The findings also point to broader structural challenges in organisational risk response, with clarity of responsibility and decision-making processes emerging as significant concerns.
Only 10% of organisations say they can respond “very quickly” to new risks. While 68% believe they respond “fairly quickly”, this may not be sufficient in an increasingly volatile operating environment. One in five organisations (20%) admit they are “not quick to respond at all”.
The research also exposes uncertainty within risk governance structures:
17% are unclear about what happens next when new risks emerge.
One-quarter (25%) are unclear about escalation triggers.
Only around 20% report being very clear on how global and local responses align.
These gaps can contribute to duplicated effort, inconsistent action, increased pressure on teams and a greater risk of employee burnout during crisis situations.
James Wood, Security Director, Northern Europe at International SOS, said,
The biggest barriers are not about awareness of risk, but at the point of decision. Organisations are often structured for stability, not volatility. That slows action when speed matters most.
About the International SOS Group of Companies; 40 years of saving lives
The International SOS Group of Companies is in the business of protecting and saving lives. Wherever you are, we deliver customized security risk management, health and wellbeing solutions to fuel your growth and productivity. In the event of a security incident, epidemic, extreme weather or any other business-disrupting event, we provide an immediate response, giving you and your workforce peace of mind. We uniquely combine industry-leading technology with expertise in security, medical and logistics to deliver prevention programs that offer real-time, actionable insights and on-the-ground support.
Founded in 1985, the International SOS Group has been saving lives for 40 years. Headquartered in London & Singapore, we are trusted by over 9,000 organizations. This includes the majority of the Fortune Global 500, as well as mid-size enterprises, governments, educational institutions, and NGOs. Nearly 13,000 global experts stand with you to provide support & assistance from over 1,200 locations in 90 countries, over 110 languages, 24/7, 365 days a year.
We help protect your people and your organization, as well as support your compliance reporting needs. By partnering with us, your organization can fulfil its Duty of Care responsibilities and fortify its business continuity.
