With the increasing global attention to environmental protection and the dual constraints of environment and resources, the importance of sustainable development is becoming increasingly prominent. Especially for the manufacturing industry, accelerating the dual transformation of digitalization and low-carbon has become an inevitable trend in industry development. ABB, as a global technology leader in the field of electrical and automation, has injected strong impetus into promoting sustainable development of the manufacturing industry with its profound technological accumulation and industry experience.
Erich Labuda, Global President, Service Business Unit, ABB Motion Control Division
Recently, Erich Labuda, Global President of the Service Business Unit of ABB’s Motion Control Division, stated in an interview with gongkong that the Chinese market has enormous potential in improving energy efficiency. Currently, there are still a large number of customers using motors with energy efficiency standards of IE2 or IE3. By upgrading to more efficient motors, energy efficiency can be significantly improved, thereby achieving the goal of energy conservation and emission reduction.
ABB has a history of over a hundred years in China and has been committed to providing efficient and stable motor and frequency converter technology. According to statistics, from 2010 to 2022, ABB has successfully delivered over 11 million frequency converters and high-efficiency motors in China, saving over 500 billion kilowatt hours of electricity, equivalent to a reduction of approximately 500 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions. The saved electricity is approximately equivalent to the total electricity consumption of Beijing in four years.
A one-stop service solution to tap into the potential for energy conservation and efficiency enhancement
Energy conservation and efficiency enhancement, as the name suggests, refers to the improvement of resource utilization under the premise of resource conservation. So for industrial enterprises, how can energy conservation and efficiency enhancement be implemented to achieve maximum enterprise benefits? In the process of exploring the potential for energy conservation and efficiency enhancement, ABB not only provides efficient hardware equipment such as motors and frequency converters, but also focuses on accurately identifying and optimizing energy-saving key points in the production process. Based on the actual needs of customers, ABB provides a one-stop service solution, covering multiple levels such as energy efficiency assessment, results based maintenance strategies, and full lifecycle operation and maintenance solutions.
Erich said, “When conducting energy efficiency assessments, facing complex factory environments and numerous electrical equipment,…”, ABB maintains close cooperation with customers, based on their understanding of customer needs and industry characteristics, conducts in-depth analysis of on-site conditions, and provides professional suggestions and specific energy-saving measures to ensure that customers can start from the most energy-saving and efficiency enhancing aspects, thereby achieving the fastest and greatest efficiency improvement
In addition, ABB also offers an innovative service model based on results. “This is fundamentally different from traditional time-based maintenance and repair services,” Erich explained. In this service model, customers can set key performance indicators based on their actual needs, such as improving the normal operation time of equipment, improving energy efficiency, and improving the reliability of production equipment.
For example, ABB has signed a 10-year, results based maintenance agreement with Statkraft, the largest renewable energy producer in Europe, to ensure the continuous and normal operation of its flywheel system. This includes using status monitoring solutions to track device performance in real-time and accurately, ensuring that remote operators receive timely alerts of performance changes, and quickly schedule maintenance to ensure the normal operation of the equipment.
Not only that, but also, ABB also attaches great importance to the full lifecycle management of equipment. This service can help customers tap into the potential of aging equipment, thereby improving energy efficiency and promoting sustainable development. For aged products, ABB does not recommend blindly replacing new equipment, but extends its service life through professional upgrades and renovations. This service model not only meets the actual needs of customers, but also reduces the demand for new resources, in line with the concepts of green environmental protection and sustainable development.
Integrating innovative technologies to promote low-carbon transformation
On the path of exploring energy conservation and efficiency enhancement, ABB is not only committed to providing one-stop service solutions to tap into the energy-saving potential of enterprises, but also continuously integrates innovative technologies to promote the dual transformation of digitalization and low-carbon in enterprises. On this basis, ABB goes further by introducing and integrating new technologies, such as AI, to optimize industrial production processes and assist enterprises in achieving more efficient and green operations.
Erich emphasized that, ABB not only closely monitors the latest developments in intelligent technology, but also ensures that such technologies are effectively integrated into the daily business of customers, with solving practical problems as the core. Therefore, Starting from the actual needs of customers, ABB provides targeted suggestions and optimizes business processes by collecting data, inputting algorithms, and establishing predictive models.
By integrating intelligent technology and professional software, ABB can significantly improve the accuracy and efficiency of motor operation. Motors are no longer limited to simple on or off states, but can be finely tuned for speed control based on real-time production needs. This intelligent control mode not only significantly improves the operational efficiency of equipment, but also saves a lot of energy consumption for enterprises, thereby achieving more efficient and sustainable energy utilization and operation methods.
When it comes to the application of intelligent technology, Erich also emphasized the importance of cybersecurity and expert resources. He pointed out that although data is the cornerstone, how to effectively interpret and utilize this data is more crucial. ABB has deployed a large team of experts in the fields of network security, artificial intelligence, and data in both global and local markets, who have accumulated profound application experience in their professional fields. Meanwhile, ABB’s cloud platform has passed China’s national level three security certification, providing a solid guarantee for data security.
With the continuous deepening of digitization, ABB’s service business is transitioning from a traditional model to a data and algorithm driven growth model.
More and more enterprises hope to gain deeper insights through data-driven services such as status monitoring and energy efficiency evaluation. ABB focuses on data and provides professional and efficient services to ensure the reliable operation of equipment. Erich told gongkong, ABB has assisted a sugar factory in Belgium in collecting and tracking data to monitor the condition and performance of key dryers and fans. It was discovered that the vibration intensity of a fan motor exceeded expectations. By early maintenance intervention, unexpected shutdowns were avoided, the normal operating time of the equipment was improved, and energy efficiency was also increased by 12%.
Highly flexible service model to meet diverse market demands
The innovation and application of technology cannot be separated from a deep understanding of the market and precise grasp of customer needs. Especially in the Chinese market, with its vast market size and diverse customer needs, ABB is required not only to integrate more cutting-edge technology, but also to have a highly flexible service model to meet the needs of different customers.
ABB is well aware that every industry and every customer has their own uniqueness. Therefore, it is crucial to listen and deeply understand the actual needs of customers. With accumulated professional knowledge and rich experience in multiple fields, ABB can provide customized service agreements. Whether it’s improving equipment reliability, reducing emissions, extending equipment lifespan, or strengthening digital construction, ABB can provide customized service solutions for customers to meet their diverse needs.
Taking the digital upgrade and renovation project of the heating branch of Xinjiang Tianfu Energy Co., Ltd. as an example, ABB uses AI algorithms, big data and other technologies to help customers further improve the intelligence of heating for over 300 heat exchange stations and 2 pressure isolation stations, achieving precise management requirements for equipment energy consumption, including real-time monitoring of operating status, equipment failure warning, etc., significantly improving the energy efficiency of heating equipment, effectively avoiding unplanned downtime, and improving the efficiency of heating season operation and maintenance inspections, making heating a livelihood project more efficient, safer, smarter, and greener, achieving considerable economic and environmental benefits. Since cooperating with ABB, Xinjiang Tianfu Energy Co., Ltd. has achieved significant results in energy conservation and efficiency improvement, saving nearly 70000 tons of standard coal, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by about 180000 tons, sulfur dioxide emissions by nearly 600 tons, and reducing heating unit consumption by about 7%.
In China, The ABB Motion Control Division’s service business unit provides customers with comprehensive services through on-site service teams, hotlines, and online support throughout the country, ensuring the efficient operation and maintenance of equipment. “The ABB Motion Control Division has a professional team of over 2000 people in China, who have profound expertise and experience in the fields of transmission and motors,” Erich said. “I am very proud of our local service team. They work hard every day to improve service quality to better respond to and meet customers’ diverse needs.”
By providing one-stop service solutions, integrating cutting-edge innovative technologies, and adopting flexible service models, ABB is fully assisting enterprises in exploring the potential space for energy conservation and efficiency enhancement, promoting digital transformation and optimizing energy utilization, and embarking on a win-win transformation path that can not only improve economic benefits but also promote sustainable environmental development. Through close collaboration with industry partners, ABB will continue to promote sustainable development in the industrial sector, assist enterprises in meeting the needs and challenges of the entire lifecycle, and lead the industry towards more efficient, intelligent, safer, and green low-carbon development goals.