CEO Ulrich Spiesshofer outlines how innovative solutions from ABB are redefining electricity’s role in the era of climate change
Building on a long history of collaboration with Imperial College London, ABB CEO Ulrich Spiesshofer was this year’s guest speaker at the annual Energy Futures Lab lecture. Speaking to an audience of university students and other invited guests, he presented the challenges of delivering environmental benefits while building a smarter, greener and stronger grid and exactly how ABB technology is being used to tackle these challenges on a day to day basis.
Energy Futures Labs is the focal point for multi-disciplinary energy research across Imperial College London, coordinating research support, a distinguished education program and an extensive network of energy researchers.
Spiesshofer explained how the demand for electrification is rapidly expanding in today’s world, driven by developments such as e-mobility and the growth of renewables in the grid. Both offer significant environmental benefits in terms of reducing carbon emissions and improving air quality, which is particularly important in the face of ongoing climate change. He further elaborated on how power grids have to transform to accommodate the growth in distributed renewable generation, the growth of energy storage and the changing patterns of demand.
The lecture opportunity further highlights ABB’s deep commitment to education with a view to inspiring future leaders in energy research. The transition to future energy systems, incorporating the ABB Ability™ digital offering will require a new generation of engineers with enhanced digital skills to build and operate the power grids of the future.
ABB and Imperial College are working closely together to better understand the latest technologies across the entire electrical system from generation, transmission, distribution, storage and consumption. Collaborative projects include the unique Carbon Capture Pilot Plant and ABB Control room, which is housed in the Department of Chemical Engineering. Last year ABB signed a memorandum of understanding to explore opportunities for the creation of a unique digital power network demonstrator unit, incorporating ABB Ability™, ABB’s unified, cross-industry digital capability.
