World applications of gas-insulated modules (GIMs) to HV and EHV substations

Electric power transmission and distribution market changes have forced operators to look for economical, fast-to-implement, environment-friendly and easy-to-maintain high-voltage and extra high-voltage substations. This research has led to the use of gas-insulated modules (GIMs), which integrate several feeder functions in a compact way and are connected to air-insulated busbars, instead of traditional air-insulated or fully gas-insulated solutions. Then, GIM use has been extended to different categories of applications, and to the highest voltages of transmission networks. This paper intends to present, from a general point of view, these different categories of applications, their specific needs and impacts, and the specific solutions proposed for the equipment