Making solar power affordable and reliable

ABB has been in the solar power business for more than 20 years. We offer a complete portfolio of high-efficiency solar technologies for different utility-scale applications and environments.

ABB is your one-stop partner in solar power. Our turnkey engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) solutions cover the entire scope of supply for solar power plants – from feasibility studies and site analysis to site clearance and civil works, plant design and engineering, manufacture and procurement, erection and commissioning, and grid connection.

To each project we bring the following strengths and attributes:
− More than 125 years of experience in the power generation business

− More than 300 successfully completed projects as an EPC contractor

− Market and technology leadership in power and automation technologies

− A unique expertise in solar-critical applications like long-distance high-voltage direct current (HVDC) and heating, ventilation and airconditioning (HVAC) power transfer, and the integration of renewable energy into micro and remote grids

− A global footprint with operations in more than 100 countries

− An annual research and development spend more than $1.3 billion

− Bankability and a worldwide reputation for reliability

Most important of all, we have a proven track record in delivering on time, on budget and at the contracted efficiency level.

Solar thermal power plants

ABB offers the most efficient and cost-effective solar thermal / concentrating solar power (CSP) technology in the market. Working in cooperation with Novatec Solar, a company in which ABB is a strategic shareholder , our turnkey CSP Power plants require 30% less land, use 70% less material and consume 80% less water for cleaning compared to parabolic trough designs.

They are also significantly more efficient. With a power block efficiency rate of 38%, they produce more energy and have the potential to generate higher revenues than alternative CSP designs.

The ABB-Novatec Solar CSP concept is centered on a patented and award-winning modular solar boiler and a unique solar field design based on linear Fresnel collectors. The technology uses direct steam generation and does not require heat exchangers and oil-filled absorber tube networks for heat transfer. Instead, this highly economical and proven concept utilizes compact almost flat glass mirrors.

The uniquely efficient solar boiler produces direct superheated steam at a temperature of up to 500 degree Celsius and a pressure of 100 bar. The steam is connected direct to a steam turbine for power generation or used for industrial heat applications, desalination or solar cooling.

ABB solar thermal power plants are available as turnkey solutions from 50 MW to more than 250 MW, and are ideal for a wide range of applications: solar augmentation of fossil fuel power plants, enhanced oil recovery, solar desalination, solar cooling, and to provide process steam or heat for mining and other industries.

Photovoltaic power plants

ABB has long played a leading role in the growth and development of the photovoltaic power market, providing turnkey solutions that reduce the cost and risk of investing in and operating PV power plants.

Our capability includes extensive experience as an EPC contractor, rapid project execution within the shortest possible delivery times, a modular and scalable concept, optimized solutions that achieve the highest level of efficiency, and operations and maintenance support with remote monitoring from dedicated ABB control centers.

Over the past few years alone, ABB has delivered around 50 turnkey high-efficiency PV plants worldwide, with capacities ranging from roof-top industrial installations of around 1 MW to utility-scale plants of up to 100 MW or more.

Remote operations and maintenance

ABB takes full responsibility for the operation, maintenance and management of all types of solar power plant.

We offer a fully proven operations and maintenance concept for the remote operation of PV power plants. From central control rooms, we can monitor and control the plant via secure high-speed data transmission connections. This enables us to pick up the first sign of a potential problem and to rectify it by remote, or dispatch a service team if required.

For solar thermal power plants, ABB offers full onsite operation and maintenance services.

Integration with remote and micro power grids

Solar power plants are often located in remote areas or integrated with conventional power plants or connected to remote micro grids serving local communities. Power surges and short-term lulls are a constant threat to the stability of any power network relying on intermittent energy like solar and wind.

ABB has the tools, know-how and services for all types of renewable energy integration. These well-proven solutions are designed to integrate up to 100% of the renewable energy generated with the conventional power system, while stabilizing voltage and frequency at utility quality standards.

For more information, please visit us at Power-Gen Asia 2012, Booth B8 or go to www.abb.com/solar.