ABB power grid technologies at Hannover Fair

Power and automation company ABB is showcasing a range of products, systems, software and services at Hannover Messe, held this week in Germany, that are helping to shape the transformation of the power sector as part of the energy revolution.

The increasing integration of intermittent renewables and distributed energy sources, and new demand loads like data centres and electric vehicles, are bringing new challenges. The grid needs to become more flexible and intelligent to handle these complexities. At the same time, stability and ensuring a steady, reliable and quality power flow to consumers is critical.

“The increasing digitalisation of the power value chain is key to addressing new grid complexities,” said Claudio Facchin, president of ABB’s Power Grids division. “Our pioneering technology heritage, domain expertise and unparalleled global installed base positions us as a partner of choice for enabling a stronger, smarter and greener grid.”

As a centrepiece of its digital offering, ABB demonstrates its digital substation concept at the event. This key component for enabling a smarter grid builds on ABB Ability, which brings together all of ABB’s digital products and services.

A digital substation is smaller and more reliable than an analog one, according to the company, and is additionally simpler to maintain and extend. Digital communications with fibre-optic cables are said to enhance safety, flexibility and availability of power, while reducing cost, risk and environmental impact.

ABB is also exhibiting the latest developments in its voltage source converter (VSC) based high-voltage direct current (HVDC) solution, HVDC Light. HVDC Light is extensively being deployed for applications such as interconnecting countries to support trading of electricity and to integrate renewable energy sources such as offshore wind to bring clean power to millions of people. The ABB Ability-based MACH control and protection system, which acts as the brain of transmission systems like HVDC, is also being displayed. ABB is additionally showcasing its power quality, storage and service solutions.