The efficient development and utilization of renewable energy is the core path of global energy transition, while grid stability, energy storage efficiency, and system integration capabilities are the key bottlenecks restricting the large-scale application of renewable energy. Through years of technical research and project practice, ABB has built a full-industry-chain solution covering renewable energy power generation, transmission, energy storage, and grid connection. Its core technologies include advanced wind power converters, photovoltaic inverters, energy storage systems, and intelligent grid management platforms, which can effectively address the technical challenges brought by the intermittency and volatility of renewable energy.
In the wind energy sector, ABB has partnered with Europe's largest offshore wind developer to provide a complete Balance of Plant (BOP) solution for a large offshore wind farm located in the UK North Sea. With a total installed capacity of 1.2GW, the wind farm will be equipped with 75 latest-generation offshore wind turbines, expected to generate over 4.5TWh of clean electricity annually, meeting the annual electricity demand of approximately 1.3 million households and equivalent to reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 2 million tons.
ABB's core equipment for the project includes 500kV high-voltage GIS (Gas Insulated Switchgear), large transformers, SVG (Static Var Generator), and wind turbine converters. Among them, ABB's newly developed Windformer™ converter adopts a modular design with a conversion efficiency of up to 98.5%, enabling stable operation over a wide wind speed range and featuring advanced grid support capabilities to effectively cope with grid faults and voltage fluctuations. Meanwhile, the ABB Ability™ Wind Power Plant Control System realizes centralized monitoring and intelligent dispatching of the entire wind farm. By optimizing wind turbine operating parameters and reactive power compensation strategies, the overall power generation efficiency of the wind farm is increased by more than 3%. The project officially started construction in the third quarter of 2024 and is scheduled to be fully operational in 2026, which will be one of the key projects for the UK to achieve its 2030 renewable energy goals. [Insert an image of an offshore wind farm, Image source: [Specific Website]]
In the solar energy field, ABB has provided core technical support for a large-scale photovoltaic-storage integration project in western Australia. With a total investment of over 1.5 billion US dollars, the project has a photovoltaic installed capacity of 1.5GW and a supporting energy storage system of 500MW/2GWh, making it one of the largest photovoltaic-storage projects in the southern hemisphere. After completion, the project will provide stable clean electricity to the Australian power grid, alleviate the electricity shortage in Western Australia, and significantly reduce reliance on traditional coal-fired power generation.
ABB has customized an energy storage solution based on PowerStore™ technology for the project, including an advanced lithium battery energy storage system, PCS (Power Conversion System), and Energy Management System (EMS). The PowerStore™ energy storage system adopts liquid cooling technology with a cycle life of over 6000 times, featuring excellent charge-discharge efficiency and temperature stability. ABB's EMS system can predict photovoltaic power generation and grid load demand in real-time, realizing optimal scheduling of the energy storage system through intelligent charge-discharge strategies and improving renewable energy absorption rate. Meanwhile, the project has adopted ABB's MVnex® medium-voltage switchgear and GridEdge™ intelligent distribution system, achieving seamless connection and safe and stable operation between the photovoltaic power station, energy storage system, and the power grid. It is estimated that the renewable energy utilization rate of the project can reach over 95%, an increase of 15 percentage points compared with traditional photovoltaic power stations. [Insert an image of a photovoltaic-storage integrated power station, Image source: [Specific Website]]
In the field of energy storage system integration, ABB has cooperated with a US energy storage developer to provide key technical equipment for its large-scale independent energy storage project in Texas. With an energy storage capacity of 1.2GWh, the project adopts lithium iron phosphate battery technology, mainly used for smoothing grid peak-valley differences, providing frequency and peak regulation services, and enhancing grid stability. ABB has provided a full set of PCS equipment, transformers, combiner boxes, and control systems for the project. The maximum conversion efficiency of the PCS equipment exceeds 97.5% with a response time of less than 50 milliseconds, which can quickly track grid instructions and provide high-quality auxiliary services.
After the project is put into operation, it is expected to reduce grid peak-valley regulation costs by more than 80 million US dollars annually while improving the ability of the Texas power grid to resist extreme weather. After the 2021 winter storm in Texas caused large-scale power outages, the United States increased investment in energy storage projects, and this project is a key project in this context. The head of ABB's energy storage business said: "Energy storage technology is a key support for realizing high-proportion renewable energy grids. Through continuous technological innovation, ABB is constantly improving the efficiency, safety, and economy of energy storage systems, helping customers seize opportunities in energy transition." [Insert an image of a large energy storage power station, Image source: [Specific Website]]
In the smart grid field, ABB has provided a nationwide grid upgrading and transformation solution for a country in Africa, helping the country integrate scattered renewable energy resources and build a more flexible and reliable power system. The project covers multiple aspects including grid dispatch center construction, transmission line upgrading, and substation automation transformation, with a total investment of over 3 billion US dollars. By deploying the ABB Ability™ Network Manager grid management system, real-time monitoring and intelligent dispatching of the national power grid have been realized. The renewable energy grid connection capacity has increased from the original 15% to over 40%, the grid line loss rate has decreased by 12%, and power supply reliability has been significantly improved.
The president of ABB's Energy Business Area said: "The global energy transition has entered an acceleration period, and renewable energy will become the core pillar of the future energy system. With profound accumulation and innovation capabilities in the field of power technology, ABB is fully supporting customers to achieve clean energy goals. Our solutions not only focus on the cleanliness of the power generation end but also pay attention to the efficiency improvement and safe and stable operation of the entire energy system. Through digital technologies, we break down the barriers between energy production, transmission, and consumption links, building a truly sustainable energy ecosystem."
According to data from the International Energy Agency (IEA), the proportion of global renewable energy power generation reached 28% in 2024, and it is expected to exceed 40% by 2030. ABB's technological innovation and project practice in the renewable energy field are providing practical solutions for the global energy transition, promoting the acceleration of the clean energy era. With the continuous advancement of technology and the continuous decline of costs, renewable energy will become the most economical energy choice in the near future, and ABB will continue to play a leading role in technology, contributing to building a zero-carbon future.
