ABB has connected power distribution across its Xiamen Hub manufacturing and R&D campus to the cloud-based ABB AbilityTM Electrical Distribution Control System (EDCS). With ABB’s latest digital power distribution technologies and cloud-based innovations, the Xiamen Hub demonstrates the full potential for medium-sized industrial sites for EDCS.
With the US$300 million, 425,000 sqm facility completed in 2018, the Xiamen Hub became the world’s largest ABB manufacturing base for medium- and low-voltage switchgear and circuit breakers. Located in Fujian province, China, the Hub employs around 4,000 people across the full value chain of ABB’s operations, including R&D, manufacturing, engineering, sales and service for low-voltage products and solutions.
Built up over a number of years, the Hub has integrated ABB facilities that were previously dispersed across Xiamen Island. Growing in scale and complexity over time meant the site was using several generations of ABB power solutions. Upgrading hardware to the latest digital power technologies and connecting everything to the ABB AbilityTM EDCS was an essential part of improving productivity and performance at the Hub.
ABB EDCS uses a state-of-the-art cloud architecture to monitor, optimize, predict and control electrical systems. Using the system, facilities can usually expect to realize a 30 percent saving in electricity costs and a 40 percent reduction in operation and maintenance costs.
Hub Asia manager, Allen-XiaoHui He, said: “The Xiamen Hub provides a real-world demonstration of the value ABB technologies offer manufacturing operations in China. With facilities connected to the ABB AbilityTM EDCS, power data becomes intelligent, giving managers the information they need to make smart, real-time energy-saving decisions.”
Digital upgrade work at the Xiamen Hub has retrofitted more than 200 devices to the EDCS, all with zero impact on existing plant and system’s productivity. The project is ABB’s first in China to use the full array of the company’s digital power solutions together with advanced products from other business lines.
Engineers installed the new Tmax XT molded-case circuit breakers and upgraded old breakers with Ekip Up to connect switchgear to the EDCS for remote monitoring. An Ekip E-Hub gathers data from field devices, logging consumption of water and gas for transmission to the cloud for analysis, and existing breakers using an Ekip Com Hub fitted in gateway module to upgrade.
Other hardware includes an Ekip Signaling 3T temperature monitoring module and an Ekip Cartridge that connects other external accessories. ABB’s Smart Building energy monitoring solution and the IVD4 medium voltage distribution solution complete the updates to the Xiamen Hub.
The project began with installations in the R&D laboratories, administration building and factory of ABB Xiamen LV Equipment Co., Ltd., the only company in China licensed by ABB Group to manufacture Emax and Emax 2 series air circuit breakers. ABB estimates that energy savings at these facilities alone will exceed more than US$300,000 per year.
“The hardware upgrades and connectivity enable us to analyze power data across the entire campus – and identify opportunities to optimize our energy usage in real-time,” said ABB Xiamen LV factory manufacturing manager Mun-keong Moh. “EDCS is unlocking more value for ABB and broadening the impact of our digital solutions portfolio in China. The Xiamen Hub will be a benchmark for the entire Chinese market.”
