Excitation systems are a vital component for power plants, enabling generators to operate safely and efficiently while supporting power grid stability.

These systems manage the current running through the rotor windings of the generators that convert rotational motion into electricity, controlling the generator’s output voltage. This means operators can synchronize production across multiple generators and respond rapidly and safely to changes in energy demand.

This is even more  important  with the growing adoption of renewable energy sources. These can be more intermittent and variable, putting more stress on the power grid and testing its resilience. Excitation systems are key to delivering reliable power in a hybrid, distributed grid.

ABB’s excitation systems help to keep electricity flowing for millions of people and businesses around the world. Our customers in the power generation sector rely on this technology – so every device that leaves the factory must meet the highest standards of performance. 

As we discover in this episode, that’s exactly what our engineers in  Untersiggenthal, Switzerland, work to achieve.

Any power plant can be a tough environment for electronics – and even more so if exposed to extreme environmental conditions. So, our engineers replicate and exceed harsh environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity in testing. We also test our systems with a range of shock and vibration simulations aimed at replicating any potential conditions they will face in deployment, or in transit to their destination.

Testing excitation system hardware is just one part of the puzzle. As this technology becomes increasingly smart, it’s also crucial to test the brains of the systems: their software.

Our advanced lab laboratory infrastructure in Untersiggenthal enables simulation of the most extreme operational scenarios based on real-world data: making sure the software can handle anything it’s likely to face once the system is commissioned. And the testing systems enable rapid iteration and re-testing to support software innovation and updates.

This episode goes into the detail and engineering excellence making this a reality – watch to find out more.