Innovations were the main theme of European Utility Week in Amsterdam on November 4-6, 2014. ABB and Ventyx, an ABB company, were gold sponsors of the event. 
ABB demonstrated a diverse offering of the latest smart grid developments at the exhibition stand. 
Jan-Mikael Pått from ABB (on the right) introducing grid automation control cabinet, the ideal choice for upgrading compact secondary substations and SCADA/DMS systems. 
Timo Eskola from ABB (on the right) presenting the benefits of integrating the control cabinet with the dedicated grid automation relay Relion® REC615 for effective fault management of the distribution network. 
Visitors familiarizing themselves with InGRID, the complete online smart grid demonstration system, showing ABB’s solutions for more efficient grid management. 
Sören Mattbäck from ABB (on the right) showing how InGRID is lit up in color in the dark with led lights visualizing power in the overhead lines. 
ABB SafePlus is a compact ring main unit for smart grid applications in secondary distribution networks. 
Atle Taalesen from ABB explaining how SafePlus supports improved voltage quality with fewer and shorter outages as a result. 
Thomas Braun from ABB (on the right) handing out flyers on the Smart Planning solution for easy evaluation of the distribution network as part of meeting the challenges of increasing distributed generation penetration. 
Visitors could test ABB’s Smart Planning solution via a 3D demonstration, specifically designed for exhibitions. Janissa Arevalo from ABB (on the right) was assisting the visitors. 
ABB has delivered thousands of MicroSCADA Pro systems worldwide. The MicroSCADA Pro demonstrations were among the most popular visitor attractions at the stand. 
Robert Ström from ABB (on the right) demonstrating how MicroSCADA Pro DMS600 provides a geographical network view based on the real-time status of the power grid. 
Remote Terminal Units (RTU), presented by Renatas Balke from ABB (on the left), offer a cost-efficient solution for smart grid applications. 
Rogerío Zuim from ABB (on the right) showcasing Tropos, a wireless communication portfolio for distribution networks. 
ABB’s UniSec SmartGrid secondary distribution switchgear increases automation, for example, by remotely locating faults in the grid. The switchgear was qualified as one of the nominees for the Product Innovations Awards. 
Karol Majer from ABB (on the left) presenting UniGear Digital, ABB’s new medium voltage switchgear concept. UniGear Digital’s sensor technology allows significantly more accurate voltage and current measurements compared to conventional instrument transformers, in addition to the sensors being lighter in weight. 
Pavel Pecek from ABB (on the right) explaining how the intelligent UniGear Digital concept supports remote supervision, self-supervision and connectivity to future smart grids. 
Generator circuit-breakers (the exhibit on the left) are essential to protecting both the grid and the generator against failure. Ina Giering from ABB (on the right) showcasing VD4G-50, a generator circuit-breaker using vacuum technology. 
The Distribution Grid Automation tool, presenting drivers, applications, solutions and references within distribution grid automation, was one of the highlights at the stand. Try out the tool on the web. 
The demonstration of the energy measurement system showed how ABB’s Energy Monitor supports reaching a new level of energy consumption transparency, with a more energy-efficient building installation as a result. 
The Finnish utility Caruna is renewing MV protection relays in 10 primary substations per year. One of the drivers of retrofits is the fast growing cabling rate. "We invest a lot in MV network cabling, and the need for reactive power compensation forces us to renew the protection relays", said Oleg Gulich, Smart Grid Project Manager at Caruna (on the right). 
A monitor showing a live video feed from the test site in Finland, already covered in snow during the early days of November. 
Visitors enjoying networking at the ABB stand. 
Steven Hagner from Ventyx (on the left) presenting the Asseth Health Center solution for predicting and preventing critical asset failures through proactive health and performance insights, with maximized productivity, safety and return on investment as a result. 
Guillaume Ridoux from Ventyx (on the right) introducing the Energy Portfolio Management solution for managing a mixed energy portfolio through forecasting, optimization and visualization. 
The panel discussion on the exhibition floor brought together E.ON, Fortum, Vattenfall and ABB to discuss their smart grid projects, in particular projects to facilitate renewable integration and improve network reliability and efficiency. 
The Case Study Program focused on research and development projects. Jarkko Holmlund from ABB presented how ABB and the Finnish utility Savon Voima Verkko Oy have jointly developed solutions for minimizing reactive power in mixed overhead line and cable networks. 
The audience attending the presentation on ABB’s and Savon Voima Verkko Oy’s joint developments learned new ways to improve grid reliability. 
Jürgen Herbott, Sales President for Europe, Middle East and Africa at Ventyx (on the right), receiving congratulations. The Outage Life cycle Management solution was rewarded Overall Winner at the Product Innovation Awards. 
ABB and Ventyx are looking forward to seeing you next year in Vienna, Austria, on November 3-5!
