DecarbTech - Issue 10

The editor's picks

This month’s marks a special milestone as we celebrate the 10th issue of DecarbTech! It’s been an incredible journey sharing insights on how ABB’s technologies are shaping a more sustainable future, and this edition is no exception.

As the world moves towards a more sustainable future, it’s remarkable to witness the convergence of innovation and collaboration driving industrial decarbonization.

In our first feature, “Digitalization Advancing Industrial Decarbonization Efforts”, Daniel Wyss , ABB’s Vice President of Digital Solutions, takes us through the transformative potential of digital tools in optimizing powertrain systems, like ABB Crealizer™, a new software that helps customers to create, validate and realize their solution, and DriveLab ACS880, a next-generation simulation tool for validating and fine-tuning variable speed drive systems.

Our second feature, “The premium guarantee: one motor, one drive, one supplier”, by Ivor Vidjen , ABB’s Global Head of Strategy and Business Development for Low Voltage IEC motors, dives into how ABB’s IEC LV motors and drive packages are perfectly matched to meet the unique demands of diverse industries. With over 130 years of expertise, ABB offers solutions that are precisely engineered to reduce energy consumption, improve performance, and ensure long-term reliability. These expertly paired systems are not only helping businesses stay competitive but are also supporting the global transition to a low-carbon economy.

Both stories illustrate ABB’s commitment to decarbonization through innovation and collaboration. They remind us that when expertise meets purpose, we can achieve extraordinary progress.

I hope these insights leave you inspired to explore how technology can help us build a greener, more sustainable future.

Dr. Volker Lindenau , Global Product Group Manager, Low Voltage System Drives

Digitalization advancing industrial decarbonization efforts

Daniel Wyss , Vice President Digital Solutions, ABB System Drives

As many of the most carbon-intensive industries such as oil & gas, mining, and steel production move steadily towards decarbonizing operations either through the installation or retrofit of energy efficient electrical components, it is worth noting that digitalization is playing an ever-increasing role.

This role was already quite clear to ABB as we have been introducing software-based enhancements to our industrial drives for several years, but the scale and innovation that it has now reached across multiple industries was exciting to see at the recent Smart Production Solutions (SPS) event in Nuremburg, Germany.

My personal role at SPS was to showcase to thousands of event visitors the five new digital tools from ABB. More about two of those in moment but experiencing products and solutions from many other exhibitors highlighted how strongly industrial customers – and society as a whole – will benefit from reducing emissions at a faster pace with the help of digital.

So how can digital innovations help? There are millions of powertrains in operation around the world that can be found in areas such as food production, water supply, heating and cooling, ventilation, transport and other industrial applications. Many, but not all, of these powertrains use electricity as the energy source rather than diesel fuel or natural gas and importantly most of them will include drives and motors that are connected to compressors, turbines or pumps. The use of electricity through drives and motors is already a big step in the right direction towards decarbonizing but digital technology can enhance that further by making powertrains even more efficient, reliable and longer lasting.

One example that was just launched at SPS is ABB Crealizer™ - a new open software platform that is integrated into ABB drives operating system to empower industrial customers to create, validate and realize solutions specific to the needs of their business. What does that mean? It allows operators to build their own apps that can monitor in real time and access accurate data to adjust settings that optimizes energy use, reduces equipment vibrations, plus many other benefits.

Another new digital tool is ABB DriveLab ACS880 - the next generation of Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) simulation technology – developed in partnership with Typhoon HIL, Inc. . This type of simulation is used to validate both component and system-level behavior of the variable speed drives (VSD) systems in real-world applications ranging from compressors, conveyers, and cranes to large scale energy storage, microgrids and more. It is specifically tailored and geared towards simplifying the integration of ABB VSD systems and enables customers to quickly test and validate the system via a test automation capability. The more accurate simulation upfront often means the more optimized the final equipment will be when in operation.

As mentioned, I am excited by not only what ABB has recently brought to market to support industry with digital technologies but also what is happening in so many different areas to advance industrial decarbonization efforts. It is, and needs to remain, a collaborative effort.

To find out more, visit abb.com/drives.

The premium guarantee: one motor, one drive, one supplier 

Ivor Vidjen , Global Head of Strategy and Business Development for Low Voltage IEC motors, ABB

Industrial electrical motors power practically everything. Across pumps, fans, compressors and more, they consume a staggering 65% of industrial electricity globally. Pairing them with variable frequency drives (VFDs), which optimise motor speed to match demand, has long been recognised as a major efficiency booster. However, many manufacturers still treat motors and drives as separate products, which encourages customers to mix and match machines from different providers.

This approach risks inefficiencies and mismatches in compatibility, potentially shortening the lifespan of both motor and drive and complicating servicing over the equipment’s lifecycle. At ABB, we argue for a premium, single-manufacturer package that is engineered to outrun the competition. When ABB motors and drives come together, peak efficiency, reliability, and seamless user experience are guaranteed.

Smooth purchasing, seamless specification

When sourcing a motor and drive, customers have specifications such as voltage, dimensions, and connection configurations. Combining components from different vendors can double the effort, introducing dual warranties, separate contracts, and misaligned installation timelines. A single-manufacturer solution avoids this complexity. ABB’s motor-drive packages are designed in parallel to be optimally compatible. This eliminates inefficiencies and ensures a seamless purchasing and operating experience, streamlining everything from specification to installation.

Energy efficiency in every application

Motors and drives work closely together, both physically and operationally. For instance, roller table motors must handle rapid speed and direction changes, while ski lift motors need to endure dynamic mechanical stresses. System compatibility is critical for such demanding environments.

ABB drives like the general-purpose ACS580 are highly resistant to wear and tear and work well with every ABB motor, including IE5 SynRM, one of the most efficient motors in the market. IE5 represents the highest efficiency level recognized by the IEC, reducing energy losses by 40% compared to IE3 motors.

ABB motors tailored for specialised applications, such as Increased Safety models for chemical plants or Liquid-Cooled SynRM for marine vessels, demonstrate how the technology shines under the toughest conditions. Crucially, ABB drives ensure these motors operate at their peak performance levels with minimal risk.

Service you can trust

The benefits of an ABB motor-drive package extend beyond installation. ABB oversees servicing for both machines, guaranteeing consistency and reliability over their lifetime. Holistic familiarity with the technology allows for precise diagnostics, insightful energy efficiency reports, and tailored maintenance timelines. ABB’s proprietary tools, such as its Energy Efficiency Calculator and EcoSolutions, enable customers to benchmark performance and sustainability upfront.

Companies looking to invest in new equipment must think beyond finding the cheapest combination of motor and drive. They need to consider the total cost of ownership (TCO) of mixing and matching manufacturers: less reliable operation, lower compatibility, suboptimal servicing, and worse visibility of performance in every metric.

If a company wants a winning combination of premium energy efficiency, sustainability, and service, it needs one premium supplier.

To find out more visit The Perfect Match.