ABB : Eco-efficient medium-voltage substations to power e-mobility needs unveiled

Zurich / Hanover - With 25 percent of all vehicles expected to be electric vehicles (EV) by 2025, ABB is responding to the increasing demand for connectivity for energy-efficient and climate-friendly vehicle charging stations with its Compact Secondary Substation

Available to view for the first time at Hanover Fair 2018, from Hall 11, booth A35, ABB's substation packages provide a solution for connecting E-Mobility chargers to medium-voltage (MV) networks, designed to fit car, bus, and truck charging applications.

'Rising demand for EV charging infrastructure drives the need for an effective way to connect E-Mobility chargers to MV networks. The low-voltage charging infrastructure cannot support fast charging or multiple car charging at one time effectively, and should connect to the MV power grid,' said Octavian Craciun, Head of Global R&D for ABB's EV Charging Infrastructure. 'It is important that installation and commissioning time and risks are minimized, local utility standards are met and charging reliability is prioritized. We offer the full spectrum solution that meets all of these needs and we are delighted to unveil this holistic offering for the first time.'

The Compact Secondary Substation (CSS) is designed, tested and built according to international standard IEC 62271-202. Specially-designed to be installed in public areas, these substations meet extremely high safety requirements: they are internally arc tested, lockable, and grounded in a single enclosure to reduce installation time and risk. Consisting of MV switchgear, a step down transformer and an integrated high power inverter, the CSS is designed to meet local utility standards. E-Mobility substation packages offer a standard solution to the segment and the pre-designed packages are based on typical ratings.

The integral CSS component connecting to the MV grid is ABB's SafeRing ring main unit (RMU). This switchgear feeds energy to the transformer and protects it from severe damage in case of a failure. At this year's Hanover Fair, ABB is displaying an innovative and climate-friendly version of the RMU, the SafeRing AirPlus. Instead of the traditionally used SF₆ (sulfur hexafluoride) gas, this eco-efficient gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) makes use of the new AirPlus™ insulation gas. The SafeRing AirPlus has the same compact dimensions as the standard SF6-version, but reduces the global warming potential (GWP) of the insulation gas by over 99.99 percent. This innovative technology complements the existing portfolio and is the perfect alternative for customers with a green focus.

Part of the ABB Ability^TM portfolio of connected solutions, the chargers provide information to enable condition monitoring and remote troubleshooting which begins automatically, enabling the system to diagnose and self-correct most service cases. When problems are solved directly by the charger, this eliminates the need for on-site intervention, saving on downtime and costs, while enhancing safety.

ABB (ABBN: SIX Swiss Ex) is a pioneering technology leader in electrification products, robotics and motion, industrial automation and power grids, serving customers in utilities, industry and transport & infrastructure globally. Continuing a history of innovation spanning more than 130 years, ABB today is writing the future of industrial digitalization with two clear value propositions: bringing electricity from any power plant to any plug and automating industries from natural resources to finished products. As title partner of Formula E, the fully electric international FIA motorsport class, ABB is pushing the boundaries of e-mobility to contribute to a sustainable future. ABB operates in more than 100 countries with about 135,000 employees. www.abb.com