ABB pioneers microgrid technology, integrating renewable energy into power networks for remote areas. Solutions include hybrid power plants, renewable integration, grid stabilization, and consulting services, ensuring cost-effective, environmentally friendly energy solutions worldwide.

Globally, electricity consumption per capita has increased by 40 per cent since 1990. Along with growing demand for renewable energy, there are still over 1.3 billion people in remote areas who either don’t have access to reliable sources of electricity or who aren’t connected to a power grid at all.

A new approach is needed for the grid of the future; a grid that can support remote mining and industrial sites and communities, and that can manage the peaks and troughs of energy demand. And a grid that can support the need for a greener planet.

The next evolution of the conventional grid is ABB’s Microgrid solution which can safely integrate the maximum possible renewable energy into small scale power networks, or Microgrids.

The next evolution of the conventional grid is ABB’s Microgrid solution which can safely integrate the maximum possible renewable energy into small-scale power networks, or microgrids. For the customer, this means the lowest long-term energy costs, grid stability and the best outcome for the environment. Importantly, these solutions merge the best of power and automation technologies to create a more flexible and adaptable grid.

Pioneers in Microgrid technology

ABB is a leading provider of integrated power and automation solutions for conventional and renewable-based power generation plants.

By successfully powering research stations from Antarctica, Alaska and Flores Island to remote mines and communities in the deserts of Australia using integrated energy sources, ABB has become a pioneer in Microgrid technology.

ABB’s Microgrid Solutions group specializes in implementing modular and scalable technology packages that supply power, improve power quality, and integrate renewable energy into fossil-fuel Microgrids.

For the customer, this means reducing the cost and risk of their power generation and transmission. They can not only improve the capacity, reliability and efficiency of their power, but incorporate the maximum possible energy from their wind, solar, hydro and wave installations.

ABB’s global center of excellence for Microgrids is based in Darwin, Australia. Our research and development programs focus on achieving both incremental and breakthrough developments for our customers to address challenges relating to remote Microgrid power supplies; integrating renewable power sources into the Microgrid; and enhancing power system stability, reliability and flexibility.

Technology now for a better future 

Most people never think about the complex electrical networks behind every light switch and wall socket and how indispensable these structures are to our daily lives. In today’s highly-connected society, electricity plays a key role in our economic and social development and, in many cases, our survival. Yet, many of us take for granted our reliance on electricity, assuming it will always be there.

Australia microgrid

Over 1.3 billion people in remote areas around the world either don’t have access to reliable sources of electricity, or aren’t connected to power grids at all. As we become more reliant on electricity, governments around the world are investing in infrastructure to help provide electricity to poorly-connected areas.

ABB plays a key role in devising solutions that provide reliable power to people in remote areas, yet curb the amount of greenhouse gas emissions being produced. Integrating renewable forms of electricity into the grid solves both these problems.

Integrating renewable energy

The easiest way to generate electricity in areas not serviced by electrical networks is with a generator that burns fossil fuels, such as diesel, gas and heavy fuel oil. However, many remote places are also rich in renewable energy sources like the sun, wind, water and bio-waste, which could all be harvested as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly means to provide power in these areas.

Over 1.3 billion people in remote areas around the world either don’t have access to reliable sources of electricity, or aren’t connected to power grids at all.

ABB’s quest to assist Microgrid communities reduce their reliance on fossil fuels has driven the development of a number of technologies designed to integrate, manage and control renewable generation in isolated or weakly-connected grids.

Already, these technologies have increased the production and integration of renewable energy into a number of power generation systems across the world that previously relied solely on fossil fuels.

Managing power fluctuations

One of the biggest challenges of integrating renewable generation into an existing power grid is intermittent supply. As those who use renewable power will attest, we are at the mercy of the environment.

The most common occurrence of gusting winds, or clouds on a sunny day, can interfere with generation, destabilizing the grid. In the case of wind, gusts can cause an unwelcome generator response known as ‘hunting’, whereby unnecessarily-high levels of backup fossil fuels are consumed, engine maintenance is higher, and expensive blackouts can occur.

Power fluctuation is another common anomaly when using isolated networks, however the problem also exists in large networks at the end of distribution lines, or at the interconnecting point of wind or solar farms and other critical nodes.

There is a range of reasons customers in the Microgrid market require the solutions ABB offers, however our customers typically fit into one of the following categories:

  • Those who do not have access to power.
  • Those who are relying on fossil fuel-based generation and have a valid business case to integrate renewable generation.
  • Those who have an existing hybrid power plant and are experiencing either integration and stabilization issues, or simply want to increase their penetration of renewable energy generation.
  • Those who are weakly-connected to the grid and are experiencing strain caused by intermittent renewable generation.
  • Those who require virtual inertia as an ancillary power system service at any point along the network.
  • Those who simply want to increase their renewable generation output.

Integrated solutions

ABB has been in the energy business for 125 years, and during this time has pioneered a number of product and system innovations to help improve efficient energy use and lower environmental impact in the industrial and utility sectors.

ABB offers five comprehensive, integrated Microgrid solutions to suit a range of customer requirements.

 

Hybrid Power Plant 

ABB’s Hybrid Power Plant is made up of a minimum of one fuel-based generator and one renewable energy generator. ABB can provide a full turnkey solution including consultation (technological and economic feasibility, etc.), plant design, installation, commissioning and service support. This solution has been designed for those who do not have access to quality power and there is a valid business case for renewable and fuel-based generation.

Integrated Wind or PV Power Plant

ABB’s engineered solution for integrating PV or wind into an existing fuel-based generation Microgrid has been designed for those who want to upgrade an existing power system with renewable energy generation, thereby reducing their reliance on fossil fuel and improving the security of supply.

Optimized Microgrid Integration

ABB’s engineered Microgrid stabilization and energy flow optimization solution is designed for customers who have an existing hybrid power plant but are experiencing stability issues and want to improve security of supply. ABB’s Optimized Microgrid Integration solution has the ability to optimize the operations of existing power stations with existing renewable energy generators.

Renewable-to-Grid Connector

This solution provides a compliant grid connection for any existing form of renewable generation into a weak grid. ABB’s Renewable-to-Grid Connector solution reduces the strain on weak grids from intermittent renewable generation, helping customers improve their renewable energy output.

Grid Stabilizer 

ABB’s Grid Stabilizer was designed for customers who require virtual inertia as an ancillary power system service, and has the ability to connect to any point on the network. The main benefits include an increase in the time it takes the system to respond to frequency disturbances, along with load shedding minimization. The system can either run in parallel with the grid, or go ‘off-grid’ with authorization from the network authority.

Tailored renewable energy solutions

ABB has many years of experience integrating renewable energy sources in technically challenging Microgrids, and this experience combined with strict adherence to industry accepted modeling and design tools, and power systems standards, is the foundation of ABB’s consulting offering.

Making the right economic and technical decisions can be difficult, but using sophisticated simulation tools, ABB can tailor a solution to fit specific wind and solar conditions, commercial considerations and technical requirements.

Optimization and sensitivity analysis algorithms evaluate the economic feasibility of many technology options, and account for cost variations and energy resource availability.

To start, ABB consultants evaluate design options for both off-grid and grid-connected distributed generation applications. Optimization and sensitivity analysis algorithms evaluate the economic feasibility of many technology options, and account for cost variations and energy resource availability.

In addition to thorough economic analysis, ABB provides a strong technical consulting capability, including flexible, dynamic simulation tools that produce extremely accurate grid models. ABB’s Microgrid Solutions’ experience with remote power generation is constantly helping to improve the tools and design process in these studies, while an experienced engineering team guarantees the end result is a high-quality, technically detailed project simulation.

ABB verifies its models with data taken from similar completed, commissioned projects; this helps to identify problems in the simulation process, and increases the accuracy of future models. In this way, ABB consultants can rely on real-world experience and working systems to ensure the most valid simulation models are delivered.