- ABB launches 20+ new products to empower energy transition across key segments
- Debut of revolutionized DC solid-state circuit breaker, new beginning of DC applications, leap in local capabilities on digital cloud platform, and kick-off of 100th anniversary of resettable miniature circuit breaker and 1 millionth ring main unit roll-off
- Seize the opportunity of the "electrification of everything" and drive the construction of a new power system and energy pattern with innovative technologies
ABB Electrification Innovation Week 2024 was held on 9 January in Xiamen, with the theme "Innovation to transform the energy future”, aiming at interpreting the opportunities and challenges of the energy future, revealing the key to the energy revolution, and paving the development path of the energy transition.
The event included an opening forum, keynote speeches, industry forums and new product launches and exhibitions that will comprehensively showcase ABB's key role in energy transition and leading innovations in energy, buildings, industry and data centers and help create segment scenarios to accelerate the application of digital and low-carbon solutions, enabling the energy transition to a net-zero future.
Innovative technology enabling the energy transition
ABB pioneered power and electrification and invented and promoted the commercial application of a wide range of products and technologies, including the world's first resettable miniature circuit breaker, high-voltage direct-current transmission technology, disconnecting circuit breakers and hybrid air-insulated/gas-insulated switchgear, the Ultra-Fast Earthing Switch solution, the native IEC61850 relay, the world’s first switchgear available for switching to a green insulation gas at any point, revolutionary new switchgear based on a busbar concept, and solid-state circuit breakers. In 2024, ABB will launch a series of activities to celebrate the "100 years of the resettable miniature circuit breaker", which was invented in 1923 and patented in 1924. In addition, the one millionth ring main unit will roll off in Beijing within this year, which will become a demonstration flagship for local large-scale intelligent manufacturing, addressing to the needs of local and overseas customers for smarter and greener equipment.
Today, the world's first SACE Infinitus solid-state circuit breaker compliant with IEC 60947-2 was officially launched in China, enabling safe and energy-efficient DC power systems. Solid-state circuit breakers use semiconductor power electronics to connect and disconnect the power supply circuit. Compared to conventional circuit breakers, ABB's solid-state circuit breakers detect and respond to short-circuit faults 100 times faster and last 100 times longer. As no energy is released during the breaking process, the risk of dangerous arcing is reduced to near zero, protecting people and equipment. This follows ABB's revolutionary solid-state technology concept in 2019.
"Over the past 140 years, ABB's innovative technologies have led and driven successive industrial revolutions, and ABB continues to be committed to technological innovation, cultivating the transformation of innovative achievements, and using new technologies - with electrification, digitalization and automation at the core - to help users meet the challenges of the energy transition and enable the establishment of a new type of energy pattern and a new type of power system,” said James Zhao, senior vice president of ABB China Ltd.
At present, with the carbon neutral commitment and the development of distributed energy, power distribution grids are facing the dual challenges of renewable energy consumption and load supply. The power grid design needs to be updated. Compared with the AC power distribution system, the DC power distribution system, with fewer conversion links, high energy utilization and good power quality, serves as a key technological means to change the power supply mode, improve energy efficiency and accelerate energy transition. ABB highlighted the direct current (DC) concept during the Innovation Week, welcoming users to the world of DC and presenting a complete set of DC distribution solutions, including Gerapid DC breakers, Emax DC air circuit-breakers,Tmax XT DC moulded-case circuit-breakers, DC disconnect switches OT/OS, DC miniature circuit breakers S200 series, DC electrical wiring accessories, KNX DC intelligent lighting solution and more. The above products are widely used in various industries, particularly in energy storage, photovoltaic, UPS batteries, electric propulsion ships, rail transport and buildings.
On the first day of the Innovation Week, the ABB ABILITY Energy Manager based on Huawei Cloud was jointly released, bringing a more reliable option for the digital transformation of Chinese users, witnessed by Niko Railo, leader of digital platform & capability agile unit of Smart Power, ABB Electrification and Jingbin Xu, manager of delivery service and continuous operation department, Huawei Cloud. ABB brings its cutting-edge technologies and domain industry expertise into Huawei Cloud's solid platforms and infrastructure to unlock the value of data, and accelerate the integration of energy flow and data flow.
Customers were also introduced to more than 20 source-to-socket offerings including 40.5kV VD4 vacuum circuit breaker, PrimeGear ZX0 gas insulated switchgear, digital switchgear UniGear 500, MNS digital low-voltage switchgear, Emax 2 Harness, AFC contactor, FusionAir Smart Sensor, eOVR digital surge protective device, InSite2.0 energy management system, i-jia Dechang wireless smart home system, A-Reli series DC panel, 110 kV cable accessories, New Service Offering and etc.. These products can be used in bidirectional source-network-load-storage interaction, energy storage, virtual power plants, DC power distribution, BIPV and other areas. These source-to-socket offerings provide customers and partners with a superior experience, helping them create more resilient distribution systems, more energy efficient operations and more flexible energy management.
In addition, four concurrent industry forums - Energy, Buildings, Industry and Data Centres - explored future opportunities and challenges, showcased ABB's innovative technologies and solutions, and shared segment tpyical applications in the energy transition.
Opportunities and challenges of the energy future
Approximately 200 government officials, opinion leaders, industry experts, ecosystem partners, customers as well as online audiences exchanged views and discussed the topic of “Opportunities and challenges of the energy future” during the week long event.
Li Junfeng, founding director of National Center for Climate Change Strategy and International Cooperation (NCSC), said, “The essence of the energy transition lies in the shift from dependence on natural resources to dependence on technology. Only through development and innovation can China's energy system and energy economy truly undergo transformation. Building a new energy system is crucial for transitioning to a cleaner future and presents a significant investment opportunity. The innovation of technology and market mechanisms can promote the development of a clean, smart, and safe energy system that satisfies economic growth and improves living standards, responding to the continuous increase in high-quality electricity demand."
Shen Yuxiang, chairman of Building Electricity Branch, Architectural Society of China and chief engineer of East China Architectural Design & Research Institute, said, “Under the new development pattern, the electrical design of buildings must proactively adapt to the requirements of the green era, incorporating new technologies such as clean energy, PEDF, building automation and control, and flexible regulation of building loads to create smart buildings that co-exist with the environment. Enabling by the smart brain of the buildings, it will enhance the building's capacity for renewables consumption and enable it to interact with the new power systems, ultimately improving the comfort and well-being of residents. In this way, buildings can contribute to the carbon-neutral society we aim to create.”
Ma Shicong, deputy director, Prospective Technology Research Department, Power System Research Branch, China Electric Power Research Institute, said, “The construction of a new power system requires the participation of the whole chain and even the whole society, and the hub power system must play the role of comprehensive coordination and optimal allocation. On the user side, the user's electricity consumption behavior and demand management mode must be changed in line with the access scale of renewable energy. In the future, there will be source-load interaction, the load side and the power generation side must take appropriate responsibilities and rights to ensure the safety and efficiency of the power system”.
Working in partnership will enable a more sustainable and resource-efficient future
Morten Wierod, President of ABB Electrification, said: “As the world seeks to further electrify, we continue to see growth opportunities. The increasing need for a lower carbon future means higher energy efficiency, more renewables, and the need for grid resilience. In China, our focus is on innovation, collaboration, and partnership as well as innovative technologies that help our customers decarbonize while continuing to grow.”
Jürg Burri, Swiss Ambassador to China, “Innovation – together with personal engagement – is the key for sustainable development. Switzerland and China both attach great importance to innovation, and our partnership based on innovation is increasingly important. Together we should continue engaging towards a smarter and more sustainable future!”
Zhuang Rongliang, Vice Mayor of Xiamen City, said: “At present, Xiamen is accelerating the creation of 4 + 4 + 6 modern industrial system, the forward-looking layout of new tracks such as new generation information technology, new energy, new materials, high-end equipment manufacturing, etc., and the construction of 5G network, intelligent data center and other new infrastructure. In the future, we will expand the space for high-quality industrial development to promote high-end, intelligent and green industrial development. This is in line with ABB's strategy. We hope that ABB will continue to expand its R&D and business footprint in Xiamen, promote the commercialization of innovation achievements, actively participate in high-end manufacturing and digital transformation of Xiamen City, and contribute to local low-carbon development."
The technology of electrification, automation and digitalization is the key to the future of energy. In China, we see many opportunities under China's carbon-neutral pledge, especially when it comes to energy transition, energy efficiency and electrification of everything. We look forward to forging new and deeper relationships with local customers and partners to support China's pursuit of carbon neutrality and contribute to China's green transition and high-quality development.
ABB (ABBN: SIX Swiss Ex) is a technology leader in electrification and automation, enabling a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. The company’s solutions connect engineering know-how and software to optimize how things are manufactured, moved, powered and operated. Building on more than 140 years of excellence, ABB’s ~105,000 employees are committed to driving innovations that accelerate industrial transformation. www.abb.com
Electrifying the world in a safe, smart and sustainable way, ABB Electrification is a global technology leader in electrical distribution and management from source to socket. As the world’s demand for electricity grows, our 50,000+ employees across 100 countries collaborate with customers and partners to transform how people connect, live and work. We develop innovative products, solutions and digital technologies that enable energy efficiency and a low carbon society across all sectors. By applying global scale with local expertise, we shape and support global trends, deliver excellence for customers and power a sustainable future for society. go.abb/electrification
