ABB firmly believes that digital substations will be a key component of future power grids, as they satisfy strict requirements for security of supply and the quality of power in a world of dynamic generation. Indeed, our entire energy supply system is currently changing faster and more comprehensively than ever before in its history. For example, the proportion of renewable energies – which, by their very nature, are subject to fluctuations – is growing rapidly, while the traditional one-way power flow is increasingly giving way to multidirectional flows. The changes this is bringing to the transmission infrastructure and how it is run call for a more intelligent approach to managing supply and demand. That’s why ABB is using smarter energy systems that harness digital technologies.

At HANNOVER MESSE 2017, ABB is showcasing digital substations that replace analog signals sent over copper cables with digital communication transmitted via fiber-optic cables and intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) using integrated information and communication technologies. As more and more data becomes available from digital substations, companies will be better placed to monitor, troubleshoot, safeguard and optimize substations.

ABB brings together its range of digital solutions under the ABB Ability banner. As numerous established products and solutions have been integrated into the digital substation concept on show at HANNOVER MESSE 2017, this will also provide the perfect basis for discussing how visitors view the future of the power grid.

Video