SWM’s urban distribution network spans 3,200 km of power lines and 450 distribution substations, supplying electricity to residential areas, commercial districts, and critical infrastructure (hospitals, transportation hubs). The legacy distribution system, installed over 30 years ago, presented significant operational challenges amid Munich’s growing population and increasing adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and rooftop solar:
- Slow Fault Localization Triggers Extended Outages: The legacy system lacked real-time fault monitoring capabilities, requiring technicians to manually patrol power lines to locate faults. This resulted in an average fault localization time of 2-3 hours, leading to 28-32 unplanned outages annually with an average downtime of 55 minutes per incident—costing €4.5 million in annual customer compensation and revenue losses.
- Aging Components Increase Failure Risks: Corroded conductors, outdated transformers, and mechanical switches in the legacy system had a mean time between failures (MTBF) of 5-6 years. This led to 15-18 component failure incidents annually, disrupting power supply and increasing replacement costs by €2.1 million per year.
- Limited Renewable Energy Integration: The old distribution infrastructure couldn’t handle the variable power output from 350+ MW of rooftop solar and small wind installations in Munich. This forced SWM to curtail 12% of renewable energy generation during peak production periods, hindering Germany’s energy transition goals.
- Inadequate EV Charging Support: The legacy system lacked the load management capabilities to support the rapid growth of EV charging stations (1,800+ installed across Munich). This led to localized voltage fluctuations and overloads during peak charging hours, requiring costly network upgrades to avoid outages.
“Reliable power distribution is the backbone of a modern city—any outage disrupts daily life for residents and business operations,” said Thomas Weber, SWM Distribution Network Director. “Our aging distribution infrastructure was unable to meet the demands of a growing, electrified city and couldn’t integrate renewable energy effectively. We needed a smart, resilient distribution system that could deliver fast fault response, support EV growth, and enable seamless renewable energy integration.”
ABB REX010 HESG324426R0001: Smart Resilience for Urban Distribution Networks
After evaluating solutions from Siemens Energy and Schneider Electric, SWM selected the ABB REX010 HESG324426R0001 distribution system for its advanced fault monitoring, modular design, renewable energy integration capabilities, and load management features. Key features addressing SWM’s pain points include:
- Real-Time Fault Monitoring & Rapid Localization: The ABB REX010 HESG324426R0001 integrates advanced sensors and IoT connectivity, enabling real-time monitoring of voltage, current, and temperature across the distribution network. AI-powered fault detection algorithms identify and localize faults within 2-3 minutes—40x faster than the legacy system—allowing technicians to restore power quickly.
- Durable, Long-Lasting Components: The system features corrosion-resistant conductors, solid-state transformers, and intelligent electronic switches with an MTBF of 18 years—3x longer than legacy components. This reduces component failure incidents and replacement costs significantly.
- Seamless Renewable Energy Integration: Equipped with advanced power quality management tools and grid-forming technology, the REX010 HESG324426R0001 handles variable renewable energy output without voltage fluctuations. It enables 100% integration of rooftop solar and small wind generation, eliminating the need for renewable energy curtailment.
- Intelligent Load Management for EV Charging: The system’s smart load management capabilities monitor and balance EV charging demand across the network. It automatically adjusts power distribution to avoid overloads during peak hours, supporting the expansion of EV charging infrastructure without costly network upgrades.
- Modular Design for Scalability: The modular architecture of the REX010 HESG324426R0001 allows SWM to expand the distribution network incrementally, adapting to Munich’s growing energy needs. It also supports future technologies such as hydrogen electrolyzers and smart home integration.
Results: More Reliable Power, Lower Costs, Greener Grid
Six months after deploying the ABB REX010 HESG324426R0001 distribution system, SWM achieved significant operational improvements:
| Metric |
Before ABB REX010 HESG324426R0001 |
After ABB REX010 HESG324426R0001 |
Improvement |
| Annual Unplanned Outages |
28-32 |
5-6 |
82% Reduction |
| Average Outage Downtime |
55 Minutes |
9 Minutes |
84% Reduction |
| Annual Maintenance Costs |
€3.2 Million |
€1.98 Million |
38% Reduction |
| Renewable Energy Curtailment |
12% |
0% |
100% Elimination |
| Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) |
5-6 Years |
18 Years |
200% Increase |
“The ABB REX010 HESG324426R0001 distribution system has transformed our urban power network,” Weber said. “We’ve achieved a dramatic reduction in outages, which has improved customer satisfaction and reduced compensation costs. The system’s ability to integrate 100% of renewable energy has also accelerated our progress toward carbon neutrality, supporting Munich’s goal of becoming a climate-neutral city by 2035.”
Elena Wagner, ABB’s European Power Distribution Manager, commented: “Modern cities require distribution systems that combine reliability, resilience, and sustainability. The ABB REX010 HESG324426R0001 is engineered to meet these demands, helping utilities enhance power supply reliability, support electrification, and integrate renewable energy sources effectively.”
SWM plans to deploy the ABB REX010 HESG324426R0001 distribution system across 45 additional distribution zones in Bavaria by 2038, targeting an 80% group-wide reduction in unplanned outages and a 40% decrease in maintenance costs.
