Zurich, January 14, 2010 - A host of ABB products and solutions are improving energy efficiency and offering electrical stability in the world-famous Burj Khalifa - an iconic building in the UAE that has the power needs of a small town.
At 828 meters high, the world's tallest building, Burj Khalifa, was officially inaugurated on January 4th, 2010. In addition to being an architectural and structural engineering feat, Burj Khalifa also presented many electrical engineering challenges. Recognizing ABB's ability to meet these unique challenges, the developer, Emaar Properties, selected ABB to provide custom solutions for delivering energy efficiency and reliable and safe power to apartments and offices on all occupied floors.
Upon receiving the challenge from Emaar Properties and Hyder Consulting, ABB designers and engineers began working on a one-of-a-kind distribution substation solution that would be able to control and distribute power throughout the 5-million square-foot building.
The distribution substation and control equipment that ABB custom-engineered for the building are sitting on the 155th floor. The world's highest substation ensures reliable, safe power to everything from lighting and elevators to the ventilation, heating and air conditioning system.
As part of the project, ABB delivered 50 lightweight gas-insulated medium voltage switchgears, which offer a space-saving design that is easy to service. ABB has also supplied 72 Resibloc dry-type transformers, specially designed for the tower with a flexible enclosure to fit in a tight space.
Additionally, ABB supplied 37 TTA low-voltage main distribution boards, other low-voltage panels and a host of low-voltage variable speed drives, which increase energy efficiency by regulating air-handling units, booster pumps, water pumps and air fans in the tower. ABB's variable speed drives enable motors to run efficiently at optimal speed as and when required, instead of running constantly at fixed speed or stopping and starting as the demand for power varies.
Elias Rizk, head of the construction unit for ABB in the UAE commented, "The customer and the consultant were clear that this was a prestigious project for the UAE and therefore they wanted to work with a well-reputed company that was available locally to collaborate with them on a one-of-a-kind electrification solution. They were also keen on making the building as energy-efficient as possible. Our local presence coupled with ABB's high quality products and service that the brand stands for were the key factors in securing this landmark project."
ABB (www.abb.com) is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry customers to improve their performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in around 100 countries and employs about 120,000 people. ABB has a full range of business activities in China, including R&D, manufacturing, sales and services, with 15,000 employees, 28 joint ventures and wholly owned companies, and an extensive sales and service network across 60 cities.
