London calling for a more sustainable future

This weekend the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship will return to London for the first time since 2016. The new 2.25 km, 22-turn circuit not only runs around the Royal Docks and ExCeL London exhibition center, but also features an indoor section – a first for top-level international motorsport.

Theodor Swedjemark, ABB’s Chief Communications and Sustainability Officer: “It’s great to see ABB Formula E return to the UK, particularly with the added indoor element of the racetrack. This is only possible because the ABB Formula E Gen2 cars emit zero emissions so as they compete, they are highlighting the benefits of cleaner, more sustainable transportation. And they’re symbolic of how technology leadership can be a driving force for solving the challenges that our planet is facing.”

ABB showcases its technology leadership in a wide range of industries throughout the UK, helping to reduce carbon emissions and improve energy efficiency.

David Hughes, ABB UK Managing Director: “At ABB, we work closely with our customers to ensure they meet their sustainability goals, but we also lead by example. We have reduced our carbon emissions for the seventh consecutive year, receiving ‘Carbon Reduce’ official certification. In 2020, we achieved a reduction in absolute emissions of 39 per cent due to our continued shift toward more sustainable work practices, our move to green energy, smarter building management technology and our industry-leading commitment to an all-EV fleet.”

In the UK, the National Grid has a target of operating a zero-carbon electricity system by 2025. To help achieve this, ABB is working with Statkraft – Europe’s largest generator of renewable energy – to design, manufacture and install two high-inertia synchronous condenser systems for the Lister Drive Greener Grid project in Liverpool, north-west England. The innovative project will play a key role in stabilizing the local grid to handle an increased amount of wind and solar power. To ensure around-the-clock availability for this vital system, Statkraft has also signed a 10-year services contract with ABB.

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Another ground-breaking ABB UK project, in partnership with UK Power Networks, is to increase the amount of renewable energy connected to the grid at medium-voltage substations. The scheme will enable real-time monitoring and control of distributed energy resources (DER) such as wind and solar farms. With thousands of substations across Great Britain, UK Power Networks’ new approach has the potential to unlock 1.4 gigawatts (GW) of network capacity that will enable further integration of DER. This would achieve annual savings of 19 million tonnes of CO2 emissions and cost efficiencies of £750 million for the UK’s Distribution Network Operators. Of this, ABB’s technology will facilitate savings worth approximately £350 million and will support the UK’s path to Net Zero by 2050, which includes increasing the country’s share of renewable energy to 80 per cent.

ABB UK has 1,800 employees across 13 locations including manufacturing, sales and service, divided across the four global business areas.

ABB is the title partner of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, an international racing series for fully electric single-seater racecars. Its technology supports the events at city-street tracks around the globe. ABB entered the e-mobility market in 2010, and today has sold more than 400,000 electric vehicle chargers across more than 85 markets; more than 20,000 DC fast chargers and 380,000 AC chargers, including those sold through Chargedot.

ABB (ABBN: SIX Swiss Ex) is a leading global technology company that energizes the transformation of society and industry to achieve a more productive, sustainable future. By connecting software to its electrification, robotics, automation and motion portfolio, ABB pushes the boundaries of technology to drive performance to new levels. With a history of excellence stretching back more than 130 years, ABB’s success is driven by about 105,000 talented employees in over 100 countries. www.abb.com

2021 ABB FIA Formula E Championship – Calendar