The shortlisted project saw ABB working with local partner Skellefteå Kraft to design and deliver a bespoke Battery Energy Storage Solution (BESS) for the Sara Kulturhus – a state-of-the-art cultural venue and hotel in Skellefteå, Sweden. At 75m tall, the building is one of the world’s tallest wooden structures and an international showcase for sustainable design and construction, with 100 percent of its electricity coming from renewable sources, including hydro and wind generation.
By harnessing green electricity received from the grid as the power supply, ABB’s custom energy storage solution provides back up power in the event of a power outage to the 20-storey timber building’s sprinkler system. In a timber construction like this, the sprinkler system is critical to keeping staff and visitors in the building safe in the event of a fire. Traditionally, this fire protection system would have been powered by emergency diesel generators, which serve as an onsite power supply should the mains power not be available. But given the Sara Kulturhus’ commitment to sustainability, an alternative solution to diesel generators was required.
Sara Kulturhus (Interior) 
Sara Kulturhus (Exterior)
ABB and Skellefteå Kraft’s battery solution incorporates battery packs, ABB switchgear, inverters and a distribution transformer in an integrated solution. It uses a custom ABB eStorage OS energy management system to provide next level energy monitoring, diagnostics, and data and analytics to ensure a reliable power supply for the building’s sprinkler system.
Calogero Saeli, Global Product Group Manager at ABB, said: “We are proud to have been shortlisted for this award. This is a ground-breaking project that combines battery energy storage and renewable energy to provide reliable 24/7 power for this unique wooden structure’s sprinkler system. It’s a great example of innovation in practice and we look forward to rolling this system out to other locations to provide safe and reliable electrification.”
The solution developed for Sara Kulturhus is up against three other projects in the Power Project of the Year category. The winner will be announced at an awards ceremony in London on May 18, 2023.
Now in its fourth year, Electrical Review and Data Centre Review Excellence Awards celebrate excellence, best practice, innovations and technical developments across the electrical and data centre industries.
For more information, read the full announcement: Shortlist announced for ER & DCR Excellence Awards 2023 - Data Centre Review
Learn more about the ABB Energy Storage Solution for Sara Kulturhus: Sustainable battery power solution reaches new safety heights in one of the world’s tallest wooden skyscrapers | ABB
