The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship successfully made its debut in Jakarta, Indonesia earlier this year. One of the key elements to success was the availability of reliable power supply from PLN, supported by ABB’s medium-voltage UniSec switchgear equipped with the Relion® product family’s grid automation relay REC615.
According to PLN, the Indonesian state-owned electricity company, the power supplied to the circuit was sourced from geothermal and environmentally friendly hydropower. The power was supplied by three power substations of PLN Main Distribution Unit (UID) for Greater Jakarta, totaling 7 MVA (7-million-volt amperes). The clean energy source aligns with ABB Formula E’s compelling message of sustainable and zero-emission mobility.
The UniSec switchgear panel with double switch-disconnector (SDD) is used to switch loads from a primary to a back-up power source, if the primary power source fails. In case of power source failure, a reliable switching device is crucial. ABB’s UniSec switchgear provides a smooth and safe transition to back-up power, keeping the steady delivery of critical power supply for the entire race infrastructure. The Relion REC615 grid automation relay offers the advanced protection functionality needed, as well as remote operation and control for increased safety.
Riris Tobing, Product Marketing Manager of Distribution Solutions from ABB said: “ABB Formula E is more than a race as it is helping to drive progress towards a sustainable future. One of the key parts to the success of the event is the ability to provide the highest level of security, efficiency, and convenience of the power supply to the entire infrastructure of the event, and our UniSec switchgear is the best fit. It supported PLN to deliver reliable critical power needed for the duration of the event in Jakarta, from preparation, in-race and the post-race activities”.
The inaugural Jakarta E-Prix was held on on June 4, 2022, at the newly purpose-built Jakarta International E-Prix Circuit. It attracted around 60,000 spectators from across Indonesia and neighboring countries. The event will be hosted annually for three years in 2022, 2023 and 2024.
