- Innovating for sustainability: At CIRED 2023, ABB presented pioneering technologies and solutions to electrify the grid reliably, safely, and efficiently
- Showcasing virtualized protection and control, ABB’s slimmest switchgear panel ever, and the new ABB Ability™ Asset Manager
- Driving collaboration to develop a sustainable energy system
With more than 80 percent of CO2 emissions derived from coal, oil, and natural gas, switching to renewables is a must to create a sustainable future for all. However, the only way to accommodate the stable generation and distribution of energy from sources like wind turbines and solar panels is by improving grid resilience. At CIRED 2023, which took place 12-15 June in Rome, ABB demonstrated why decarbonized smart grids are the silent enablers of a sustainable energy system and explored how industry players can work together to make this a reality.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), for every Euro invested in renewable sources, more than one Euro must be invested in infrastructure and services to transport the energy produced. At CIRED, ABB showcased the pioneering technologies and systems it has developed to connect variable energy sources to the grid, transmit electricity to where and when it is needed and do so reliably, safely, and efficiently.
Solutions on display included ABB’s slimmest medium-voltage (MV) switchgear panel ever from the renowned UniGear family, the world’s first virtualized protection and control solution SSC600 SW, as well as PrimeGear ZX0 - the smarter, MV gas-insulated switchgear also available in eco-efficient SF6-free versions. CIRED saw a debut of the new ABB Ability™ Asset Manager which allows customers to make better decisions using real-time data on how their assets are performing, maximizing uptime and promoting sustainability.
During the event, ABB presented 26 papers exploring how the distribution network needs to evolve, both in terms of intelligence and power stability, to facilitate the energy transition. This includes 10 papers with university participation and 9 with customer collaboration. Subjects range from renewable energy and centralized protection to power quality and virtualized protection and control with ABB’s innovative SSC600 SW. Additional topics that ABB explored include the use of AI and machine learning in grid management and fault prediction to the potential of 5G and beyond edge technology for providing a platform to run smart grid applications.
ABB takes a ‘cradle to grave’ approach to sustainability, guaranteeing the green credentials of its equipment up to the point it leaves the factory and making sure they perform efficiently during their use phase at customers’ premises. These green credentials are assessed using Life Cycle Assessments and Environmental Product Declarations.
As Barbara Panella, Division Technology Manager for ABB Distribution Solutions, stresses: “There are many challenges ahead to decarbonize the grid, which will form the backbone of the energy transition. The only way to tackle these challenges is to encourage sector coupling, collaborating with players across the distribution chain to help everyone understand the value of innovating for sustainability. This is why we take part in events like CIRED ‒ sharing, engaging, and discussing to collectively shape the smart grid of the future.”
