Light and heat from the sun is the most abundant energy source on earth.The solar energy that hits our planet’s surface in one hour is about equal to the amount of energy consumed by all human activities in a year. Moreover, electricity generated by solar power is emission-free and can help mitigate climate change as well as reduce our dependence on finite carbon-based energy sources. ABB offers a range of solutions that not just help capture the sun’s rays in the most effective manner but also help achieve grid parity.

1. 2 | 12
contact
The customer magazine
of ABB in India,
Middle East & Africa
Generating power from the sun
Building grid capacity and boosting reliability 06
Substations to help meet growing electricity demand in Saudi Arabia
Enhancing grid reliability 17
High voltage GIS to support grid capacity expansion
Spurring Africa’s growth 24
Custom-made solar solutions for a continent on the move

2. 06 Building grid capacity and boosting
reliability
Substations to help meet growing electricity
10 Shining a light on EURO 2012
Centralized intelligent lighting for large spaces
demand in Saudi Arabia
contact 2|12 Dear friends, and concentrated solar power solutions.
I would like to welcome you to the 2 nd
issue of our customer magazine Contact. When solar electric power becomes an
In this issue we’ll be focusing on solar important source of energy in our future,
power, one of the pillars of growth for we need to make sure that we make
the renewable sector in ABB.In line it easier for utilities and consumers to
with Saudi Arabia’s vision for making select solar power over other forms of
renewable energy an integral part of energy,while keeping safety and
the transition into more sustainable reliability a priority.
methods of power generation; the Saudi
Arabian government plans to install 41 ABB is committed to providing safe,
GW of solar energy by 2032. It’s worth clean, reliable renewable power to meet
mentioning that peak power demand the growing demand in the region. We
in Saudi Arabia will nearly triple in the hope that you find this issue of Contact
Mahmoud Shaban next 20 years, which means that the an interesting read.
Sub-Regional Manager, dependency on oil needs to be reduced
Arabian Peninsula dramatically. Best Regards
With our wide range of products and
solutions, ABB has demonstrated its Mahmoud Shaban
capability as a reliable system integrator
in the solar business and will continue to
offer its comprehensive solar portfolio of
turnkey solutions, including photovoltaic
Contact 2| 1 2 • Customer news magazine from ABB • copyright 2012 • web: www.abb.com • email: contactmagazine@in.abb.com • Publisher: ABB Group
• Layout: Shilahar Associates, Bangalore, India • Cover picture: De Nittis PV plant, Foggia – Puglia, Italy
2 contact 2 | 12

3. Table of contents
22
Solar integration and
export
Dedicated solutions
for grid integration and
commercialization of
solar power
19 Clean power from Mozambique
Songo-Apollo HVDC link to transmit 2 gigawatts power from the
hydro plant on the Zambezi river to neighboring South Africa
Local news 16 Going green with hybrid power plants
Complementing fuel generation with solar
04 Taking up the hospital lighting challenge energy for higher output
Flexible control technology 17 Enhancing grid reliability
07 Strengthening our power products footprint High voltage GIS to support grid capacity
High voltage gas-insulated switchgear factory expansion
in Dammam 18 Powering one of India’s largest solar plants
40 MW grid-connected solar power plant
Global news commissioned in five months
08 Energy storage – why do we need it?
Delivering reliable power on demand
Events
20 Increasing energy efficiency in hotels
Feature 21 Managing a precious resource
12
Harnessing Italy’s solar power potential
Delivering 14 PV power plants in Italy
For a better world
23 Leading through innovation
In focus Highly efficient CSP power plants
15 Lethabo plant goes on stream
ABB builds first South African solar power
Glimpses of ABB
plant in record time 24 Spurring Africa’s growth
Custom-made solar solutions for a continent
on the move
contact 2 | 12 3

4. Local news
Taking up the hospital lighting First authorized
challenge channel partner in
Flexible control technology Middle East
LV drives get a
boost
JGB International Company WLL in
Bahrain, part of JGB Group, a world-
renowned conglomerate, is our first
authorized channel partner in the Middle
East and also in Africa and India, to
distribute low voltage (LV) products and
provide technical expertise for ABB’s
energy-efficient LV drives, also known
as variable frequency converters.
The Group is committed to an extensive
range of products, stock availability in
the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and
an extremely efficient after sales service
for clients to satisfy their total projects
requirements. It serves the global energy
industry by procuring and supplying quality
Providing optimized lighting in a enables it to be seamlessly integrated products manufactured and supplied by
demanding hospital environment frees with the dialysis center’s building control top international manufacturers.
medical staff from unnecessary, tedious system creating a truly smart building A leader in the supply of oil and
tasks and raises the quality of hospital care. in which the lighting, climate and other gas, electro-mechanical and industrial
The ABB i-bus® KNX DALI Gateway lighting automation systems are digitally monitored insulations, JGB caters to industries
control system keeps the new Prince Naif and controlled. like refineries, petrochemicals and oil
Center for Dialysis in Riyadh, the capital of Our company was selected by the and gas, where it will distribute our LV
Saudi Arabia, running smoothly. Housed center’s owner, the Ministry of Interior, drives. LV drives are typically used in
in a purpose-built, three-storey building, on the strength of the energy savings a wide range of industrial applications
with a floor space of around 5,000 square achieved and the many applications of our from machine building to controlling
meters, the center provides lifesaving technology in Saudi Arabia, the most recent comprehensive procession lines. They
treatment for around 200 kidney patients of which is an award-winning installation enable high performance motor control and
every day. for the eight million square meter Princess provide flexible connectivity to automation
Lighting is a significant element in the Noura University − the largest university systems. Our LV drives improve process
running costs and ambience of a medical in Saudi Arabia and the largest women’s efficiency, reduce energy consumption
center, due to the round-the-clock nature university in the world. and improve productivity.
of medical services. Patient care areas, For more information: www.abb.com/knx
from OPD, through wards, to ICU need
both dim and bright lighting. Laboratories
and diagnostics’ lighting needs differ from
administrative, service and public areas’
needs. Be it motion sensors or dimmers,
the closer lighting systems mirror these
needs, the more the energy savings.
Our system provides double-digit energy
savings – as much as 40 percent. Energy
is saved by enabling individual patients
to adjust the lighting intensity in each of
the 48 dialysis rooms during their long
treatment sessions. It is also saved by
using presence detectors in stairwells,
brightness sensors for the façade, gardens
and external areas, and timers for parking
areas – or a combination of all three where
needed. The flexibility of our technology
4 contact 2 | 12

5. Local news
Power for productivity
Adding 800 MW to the Saudi
national grid
“Our prime business objective is to
provide our customers with superior quality
products that together with customer
services, add value to their business,” said
Abdul Gafoor, Director, JGB Group. “We
are very upbeat about being associated
with a world renowned brand such as
ABB. With the value provider program we
will be able to deliver much better value
to clients, he concluded.
Our Value Provider Program is designed
for distributors, technical distributors,
system integrators, service providers and
panel builders. It provides the third party
partners a unified, consistent solution for
our complete portfolio. This is reflected
to the end customer in wider offerings,
availability of technical expertise and
easily recognizable retailer. Our partners
are capable of supplying the very best
customer service as they work to high, The global demand for aluminum remains commence in 2014.
audited standards. strong as it is widely used in industries like Ma'aden's $10.8 billion joint venture with
“Via this program, we aim to ensure transportation, aerospace, automotive and Alcoa will be the largest and most efficient
consistent quality of the network offering railways, packing, construction as well vertically integrated aluminium complex in
and improve the level of the channel as for household items. In the second the world. It will use Saudi Arabia's bauxite
management and channel support,” said quarter of 2012, ABB won orders worth resources to profitably produce aluminium
Aki Maenpaa, Manager for ABB’s discrete around $24 million from Ma’aden Aluminum for domestic and international markets as
automation and motion division in the Gulf. Company (MAC) to execute a fast-track well as to facilitate the development of
For more information: www.abb.com/drives transmission substation project in northeast domestic downstream industries in the
Saudi Arabia. Kingdom.
The mandate is to design, engineer and ABB is the world’s leading supplier of
supply a 380-kilovolt (kV) outdoor gas- turnkey air-insulated, gas-insulated and
insulated switchgear (GIS) substation at the hybrid substations with voltage levels up
Ras Al Khair power plant that will export to 1,100 kV, facilitating the efficient and
800 megawatt (MW) of power from the reliable transmission and distribution of
plant to the national transmission grid to electricity with minimum environmental
feed a new aluminum smelter. The scope of impact.
supply includes high voltage outdoor gas- For more information: www.abb.com/substations
insulated switchgear, communication and
auxiliary systems and IEC 61850-compliant
substation automation, control and
protection. These containerized systems
will be factory assembled and pre-
commissioned to speed up on-site
installation.
Ma’aden, in a joint venture with Alcoa,
is building an integrated aluminum mining,
refining, smelting and rolling mill facility at
Ras Al Khair. The multibillion dollar complex
will produce 4 million tons per annum
(mtpa) bauxite, 1.8 mtpa alumina, 740 kilo
tons per annum (ktpa) of aluminum metal
and 380 ktpa rolled products, The smelter
and rolling mill will commence production
in 2013, while the mine and refinery will
contact 2 | 12 5

6. Local news
Meeting growing electricity demand in a sustainable manner
Building grid capacity and
boosting reliability
Substations to help meet growing electricity demand in Saudi Arabia, which
accounts for around half of the total electricity consumption in the Gulf
Cooperation Council region
E
conomic growth, led by the University (PNAU) in Riyadh. We have rates.
oil and gas sector is driving previously built three substations to provide Scope of work
the development of power electricity to Saudi Arabia’s first university The projects are scheduled for
infrastructure to secure electricity for women and the largest women-only completion by 2014, and include delivery of
supplies in Saudi Arabia. By 2001, peak university in the world, comprising some products such as gas-insulated switchgear,
loads in Saudi Arabia shot up to about 24 32 campuses. transformers, medium voltage switchgear,
gigawatts (GW), and it is estimated that “The substations will boost power auxiliary systems and cables. We will also
by 2023 they will approach 60 GW. State capacity to address growing electricity supply the supervisory control and data
policies and projects are now resolutely demand in the central region,” said Brice acquisition (SCADA) system, the equipment
aimed towards sustainable development Koch, head of ABB’s Power Systems for automation, control and protection
of the electricity sector, through waste-to- division. “They will also help to improve grid and IEC 61850-compliant communication
energy measures, energy efficiency and reliability and power quality while ensuring systems to enable centralized remote
stricter conservation regulations. energy efficiency.” monitoring and control of power assets
In the first quarter of 2012, on the We will also work on a project, through located at multiple sites.
strength of our track record in the region, Ewaan Global Residential Company, a The Al-Fareeda substation is to be
ABB won orders worth around $70 million local engineering, procurement and equipped with a capacitor bank, to reduce
to execute substation projects for the construction (EPC) contractor, for the electricity losses and enhance the stability
Saudi Electricity Company (SECO), the turnkey construction of a 110/13.8 kV and quality of power supply by improving
country’s national power transmission substation at Al-Fareeda. This installation the network's power factor, which is an
and distribution operator. Saudi Electricity will provide power to a new mixed-use indicator of the usable power available in
Company is the Gulf’s largest utility. development, north of Jeddah city. the grid.
Mixed-use development holds a certain Our world-class protection and
Increasing power capacity appeal by providing a range of commercial control solutions ensure reliable power
The project requirements include design, and residential unit sizes and options that transmission and distribution so we can
supply, installation and commissioning of can reportedly create additional value and offer uninterrupted and reliable power to
a new 132/13.8 kilovolt (kV) substation at outperform standard, single-use real estate end users, even in harsh environmental
Al-Raas in the Al-Qassim province, and the developments in terms of increased office conditions.
extension of an existing 380 kV substation and retail prices, rents and occupancy For more information: www.abb.com/substations
at the Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman rates, as well as accelerating absorption
6 contact 2 | 12

7. Local news
Strengthening our power
products footprint
New factory in Dammam to produce high voltage gas-insulated switchgear to
meet growing power infrastructure demands
I
n line with its vision of working closer with ABB’s regional ‘in country for country’ complex switchgear applications in
to customers, ABB will invest around approach and business philosophy to densely populated areas, for aesthetic
$40 million, to construct a new locate production and service facilities town planning or in areas under severe
manufacturing plant for high voltage closer to our customers.” environmental stress.
gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) and a The economic growth experienced by Earlier this year, we introduced our
transformer service workshop in Saudi Gulf countries has highlighted the need for latest generation of 420 kV GIS with a
Arabia, to serve the growing power power infrastructure to secure supplies of compact design that reduces volume
infrastructure needs of the region. electricity, both at times of peak demand by up to 33 percent and SF 6 insulating
The switchgear plant will initially and in the long term. The Gulf Cooperation gas requirement by as much as 40
manufacture 132 kilovolt (kV) GIS, with Council (GCC) region’s total electricity percent, making it more environmentally
higher ratings to follow. The transformer consumption has risen nearly tenfold since friendly. This product launch is part of
service center will support our large 1980. Saudi Arabia is the largest consumer, our technology and innovation focus
installed base in the region and serve accounting for around half of the total GCC and follows the recent launch of the
customers with a more complete electricity consumption. advanced versions of the 245 kV and
portfolio. The two new facilities will 72.5 kV range.
occupy 40,000 square meters of space Meeting the test of technology and For more information:
and will be located in the city of Dammam terrain www.abb.com/substations
in the eastern part of the country and ABB pioneered high voltage GIS
home to the largest port in the Arabian in the mid-1960s and as a market
Gulf. leader, continues to drive technology
Unlike boom towns that grew with
the discovery of oil reserves, Dammam
has developed in all spheres. While it
is undoubtedly the headquarters of the
Saudi Arabian oil industry, it is also a
modern urban and industrial center.
Excellent roads and highways connect it
with other urban and industrial centers in
the Kingdom.
To encourage the growth of non-
oil industries, two industrial cities were
established in the open space between
the three cities of Dammam, Al-Khobar
and Dhahran. Together, they house
more than 244 factories with hundreds
more under construction. These plants
manufacture a variety of consumer and
industrial products that are marketed
throughout the Kingdom and are
exported to other countries around the
world.
Responsive to the high-growth needs New manufacturing plant for high voltage gas-insulated switchgear in the offing
of the Arabian peninsula
“Local manufacturing of our GIS range and innovation, offering a full-range
in Saudi Arabia and our transformer service product portfolio with voltage levels
facility will enable us to respond to our from 72.5 kilovolts (kV) to 1,200 kV. The
customers’ needs more efficiently,” said main features of GIS, like extremely low
Bernhard Jucker, head of ABB’s Power space requirements and high reliability,
Products division. “This decision is in line offer smart and economic solutions for
contact 2 | 12 7

8. Global news
Energy storage –
why do we need it?
Delivery of power on demand depends on reliable energy stores
to provide power bridges that support short-term gaps, safe
shutdown and back-up needs
I
t’s not that energy storage is a whole new changes and can only generate power
concept, it has, in fact, been an integral intermittently and with a highly variable
component of electricity generation, output. This is where energy storage plays
transmission and distribution systems for a crucial part in supporting the grid −
more than a century. Traditionally, energy when the wind is blowing or the sun is
storage needs have been met by physically shining, excess power should be stored
storing fuels for fossil-fuelled power plants, and made available during both, suboptimal
and by using generated power in pumped generating conditions and during peak
hydro storage schemes. demand.
Recently however, there has been a Such fundamental changes in the
shift in the power landscape towards using architecture and controllability of the grid
and integrating renewable energy, mostly must be supported by smart, efficient power
wind and solar energy. Although renewable transmission and distribution networks. For
power generation is more sustainable in these networks to deliver and distribute
the long run, the delivery of reliable power power efficiently, the storage of energy at
on demand remains a major challenge. appropriate times and locations becomes
Wind and solar power installations vital; both, to balance generation with
are affected by seasonal and diurnal consumption, and to maintain grid stability.
8 contact 2 | 12

9. Global news
The right energy storage solution for To provide additional power to the grid Dynamic energy storage installation
the job on demand, we supplied and installed in the UK
ABB has a long history of delivering a battery energy storage solution using ABB recently worked with UK Power
energy storage solutions, including pumped Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries that can Networks, which supplies power to over
hydropower schemes that go back over a provide one megawatt of power for a eight million homes and businesses in
century and more than a decade’s experience duration of 15 minutes. the UK, to develop a dynamic energy
in battery energy storage systems. The storage facility is integrated with storage solution. The installation enables
Our technologies address a wide range of EKZ’s power distribution network and is renewable energy generated by local wind
power needs from merely tens of kilowatts being used to evaluate performance in power plants to be fed into the power
up to hundreds of megawatts, thus, utilities, key areas such as balancing peak loads, network when needed. It also ensures that
industrial customers and rail operators intermittent power supply and the viability some of the energy is kept in reserve to
around the world continue to deploy these of the solution for grid optimization. regulate power flow to compensate for the
technologies. These facilities help balance intermittence of wind power and to support
power demands and supplies, by stabilizing Battery energy storage increases the power quality in the event of a fault.
network voltages and frequencies, providing role of renewables in Sweden To meet these needs, we implemented a
power bridges to support short-term gaps, Falbygdens Energi is a Swedish utility turnkey DynaPeaQ® solution, incorporating
and safe shutdown and back-up needs. with a significant portion of wind power SVC Light®, which included eight stacks
Eventually, our solutions are designed to connected to the grid in the Swedish city of 13 Li-ion battery modules located in an
enhance flexibility, increase energy securities of Falköping. 11 kV grid.
and minimize environmental impacts. ABB was selected to supply an Together, these high-power density
Examples of our recent installations innovative dynamic energy storage solution, modules can store up to 200 kilowatt hours
worldwide include Switzerland, Sweden for the utility’s power distribution network, (kWh) of electrical energy.
and the UK. to maximize the integration of renewables The installation provides dynamic voltage
into the power chain. For this project, we control in the distribution system and, at
Switzerland’s largest battery energy utilized our battery energy storage expertise the same time, enables dynamic storage
storage project to store locally produced energy from wind of surplus energy from the wind power
ABB recently commissioned the largest turbines to create a storage capacity of plant. This surplus energy is used to level
battery energy storage project of its 75 kilowatts (kW) in cycles of up to 60 out peaks in grid loading to provide grid
kind in Switzerland with EKZ, a leading minutes. The stored energy will then be stability.
distribution utility and one of the largest used to stabilize the grid and help balance For more information:
energy companies in Switzerland. peak loads during the day. www.abb.com/energyefficiency
contact 2 | 12 9

10. Global news
Shining
a light on
EURO 2012
60,000 football fans enjoyed ideal lighting
conditions throughout the Group matches
and during the knockout stages with
centralized, intelligent lighting controls for
large spaces
A
s the 14th UEFA European look at the action on the pitch. During the connected the lighting systems in the
Football Championship EURO three Group B matches, in the evenings, stadium from the locker rooms to the
2012, kicked off, all eyes were fans and players alike, depended on optimal VIP lounge and the KNX-based building
on Poland, one of the hosts of lighting throughout the stadium, creating control system helped rapidly control the
the event, where 16 teams were battling bright moments off the field. Our control brightness and light so that the fans got
it out for the coveted trophy. system ensured that no one had to sit or the best football experience.
On June 9, 2012, 30,000 football fans play in the dark. It provided centralized Many English and French football fans
gathered beneath the lights controlled control of lighting systems and, through its had already experienced optimal lighting
by ABB’s i-bus ® KNX technology at the intelligent software provided energy-efficient at the airport of Donetsk, Ukraine, where
Arena Lviv stadium in the Ukraine while lighting by optimizing the brightness of the our modern building system technologies
watching Germany play Portugal at Arena stadium to suit the natural light conditions. controlled the lights, and guided football
Lviv, a dedicated football stadium and one On June 11, Sweden played Ukraine fans towards their group matches.
of eight around the world to host UEFA’s in the first of the tournament matches ABB has been part of such big events in
Euro 2012. at the Stadium, in Kiev. At this stadium stadiums similar to those used in the Euro
Although the stadium was reputed to 60,000 football fans enjoyed ideal lighting Cup on earlier occasions, like the 2010
be the smallest venue, rather than its size conditions throughout the group’s matches World Cup. At this event we supplied dry-
counting against it, proved to be an added and during the knockout stages. type transformers which served the Green
attraction for football fans for an up close One hundred i-bus KNX DALI gateways Point stadium in Cape Town, which has
10 contact 2 | 12

11. Global news
Our technologies make us partners in major sports stadiums around the world
a retractable roof and a seating capacity
of 68,000. Similar transformers in the 500
to 1000 kVA range have been installed
KNX: One system. One standard.
in the Soccer City stadium, located in
Soweto, Johannesburg. This stadium, with
Many interconnected functions.
a seating capacity of around 100,000, was – Maximum flexibility
the focal point of the tournament and was – Offers safety and security for both people and property
chosen as the venue for the opening and – Energy–saving with climate, shutter, heating and lighting control
closing ceremonies and key matches of – Quick and simple adaptation to individual needs and use of premises, such
the tournament. as sports stadiums
For more information: www.abb.com/knx – Replaces separate control solutions typical of technology with a single,
optimal, energy–efficient system
contact 2 | 12 11

12. Feature
DeNittis PV plant, Foggia – Puglia, Italy
Photovaltaic panels
12 contact 2 | 12

13. Feature
Harnessing
Italy’s solar
power potential
Successful delivery of 14 photovoltaic power plants in Italy with
a combined generating capacity of 100 MW in just 9 months
2
011 was a year of intense activity in
the solar photovoltaic (PV) market.
With new installations adding 29
gigawatts (GW) of solar energy
ABB solar offerings
across the globe, the solar PV market
marked a tremendous 58 percent year-on- – Turnkey solution – design, engi- – Remote monitoring, operation,
year growth. Italy came to the forefront as neering, supply, installation and diagnostics and maintenance
the single largest solar market, for the first commissioning from a dedicated control center in
time overtaking Germany, the world leader – Quick turnaround – qualifies our a remote location
in PV. As the engineering, procurement and customers for high feed-in tariff – Full range of power and automa-
construction (EPC) partner of 14 PV plants, – Trusted engineering, procurement tion equipment − transformers,
ABB was ready to step up to the challenge and construction (EPC) consortium switchgear, inverters, protection
when the window of opportunity appeared. partner devices, medium voltage cabi-
We are proud of having taken part in this – Best-in-class substation monitor- nets, medium and high voltage
defining moment in Italy’s solar power ing and control system − efficiently cables, distributed control sys-
industry especially as this is a success transfers power from plant to grid tems and control software, low
we can replicate elsewhere in the world. – High optimization and low power voltage systems, auxiliary systems
losses − push peak performance (such as lighting and ventilation)
The challenge ratio above customer expectations
Setting up the 24 megawatt (MW) – Electrical balance of plant (EBoP)
Canino PV power plant in Lazio was a test solution
of our mettle in end-to-end project delivery.
There were many layers of complexity in the
execution of the project: hilly terrain, poor
contact 2 | 12 13

14. Feature
soil condition, the magnitude of installation for a large-scale roof-top PV plant. Located
over a 95-hectare site and just as daunting, on the roof of a commercial building in
management of a 500-strong workforce. the town of Cairo Montenotte, the plant
Civil works, installation and commissioning incorporates 3,840 PV panels on fixed
were carried out simultaneously at different structures and provides 0.864 MW of
places on the site and the plant was electric power. This power is not used by
delivered in just five months. the facility; instead it is transferred to a 15
The Canino plant supplies 103,488 kilovolt (kV) distribution network.
modules, making it the largest lease financing
PV project ever undertaken in Italy. As a The success
result of high optimization and substantially Our turnkey solutions reduce the cost
lower power losses, the site is operating at and risk of constructing and operating
87 percent instead of the expected peak photovoltaic power plants, consequently
performance ratio of 81.5 percent. allowing for rapid deployment. It was a real
In Foggia, three plants with a combined challenge to meet the time constraints on
capacity of 39 MW were completed six the delivery of all 14 power plants. Even so,
weeks ahead of schedule. We were 12 were completed ahead of schedule and
responsible for remote monitoring the a 24 MW plant was built and commissioned
plants from a dedicated PV control center in five months.
A trusted partner for turnkey solar PV plants in Genoa, almost 400 miles distant. Also There is good reason why we are second
in Foggia, four plants in a 10-kilometer to none in speed and efficiency: for one,
area were set up three weeks ahead of as leaders in power and automation, we
time, despite delays caused by heavy draw on our vast manufacturing capacity
Over a period of 45 years winter rains. The multi-plant project has for solutions. Both, procurement channels
we have successfully a combined capacity of 15 MW. and supply chain processes are designed
The Helios ITA-3 parks with two 5 MW for speed and efficiency. Secondly, we
completed 300 EPC plants, in Brindisi and Mesagne were meet pressing deadlines by successfully
projects worldwide in completed in under ten weeks, well ahead collaborating with local subcontractors in
diverse industries. of schedule and under budget. Each plant Italy with a proven track record. Lastly, our
comprises 22,500 polycrystalline modules EPC competence and electrical expertise
mounted on single-axis trackers. Remote come into play in managing and executing
operation and maintenance are carried out complex processes on site.
via the control center in Genoa. In conclusion, we have a long and
In Sicily our company was the EPC successful track record as EPC partners.
contractor for Falck Renewables that Over a period of 45 years we have
operates solar, wind, biomass and waste- successfully completed 300 EPC projects
to-energy plants in Italy, UK, France and worldwide in diverse industries – power
Spain. The three PV power plants at generation, oil and gas and water, to name
Spinasanta, Cardonita and Sugherotorto a few. With our EPC center of excellence
with a combined generating capacity of located in Genoa we were perfectly
13.1 MW use almost 57,000 photovoltaic positioned to execute turnkey projects
cells and a support structure at a tilt angle for the local Italian market.
of 20 degrees. For more information: www.abb.com/solar
In Liguria we provided a turnkey solution
Did you know?
ABB has long been at the forefront of solutions for the world’s first
the solar power industry. integrated solar and combined cycle
In the 1980s ABB developed the plant power plants in Algeria, Egypt and
automation platform for the world’s the United States.
first concentrating solar power (CSP) And, in PV power plants we have an
test facility in Spain, and is now a extensive reference list of solutions
leading supplier of turnkey CSP plants that not only covers the length and
based on the uniquely cost-effective breadth of Italy, but much of the
technology of its partner, Novatec Solar. northern Mediterranean as well.
In 2010 we delivered comprehensive
14 contact 2 | 12

15. In focus
Lethabo plant goes
on stream
ABB builds first South African solar power plant in record time as part of a pilot
scheme to reduce the national utility's carbon footprint
system that optimizes the number of panels
connected to each inverter enabling the
plant to harness more energy at all times,
even during periods of poor light like dawn,
dusk and cloudy weather.
ABB’s turnkey solution included
the design, engineering, erection, grid
connection and commissioning of the
groundbreaking solar plants. The electrical,
control and automation equipment as well
as the optimization technologies to be
deployed were also manufactured by us.
Rapid delivery was facilitated by our
well-proven concept of pre-assembled,
factory-tested electrical balance of plant
modules, and by our expertise in project
execution, which, in the case of Lethabo
and Kendal, have cut weeks off the
conventional delivery time to enable the
plants to be fully operational in record time.
For more information: www.abb.com/solar
The inaugural ceremony at the Lethabo solar PV plant in November 2011
“The world-class technology will give ABB in
C
South Africa the opportunity to transfer skills
ompleting the first South African an annual production potential of 11.4 in solar technology, further complementing
solar power plant in record time, million kWh. This project was successfully and enhancing local capabilities in engineering
and project management.
ABB has surpassed industry launched on November 25, 2011.
expectations. The greenfield Both PV projects form part of a pilot – Goetz-Dietrich Wolff
photovoltaic (PV) power plant, based scheme aimed at eventually reducing Manager of Power Generation business in
adjacent to the Lethabo power station Eskom’s carbon footprint. To optimize South Africa
in Gauteng, was completed in just 75 productivity, high-efficiency ABB
days and will provide power for the plant’s monocrystalline PV panels were selected
administration buildings, while reducing because of their uniquely efficient concept
the facility’s auxiliary power consumption. for PV power plants. The approach
The Lethabo project, which was combined high levels of customization, rapid
commissioned by Eskom, South turnkey delivery and system optimization
Africa’s national utility, was inaugurated technologies that enable the plants to
in November 2011 by national Public generate around 20 percent more energy
Enterprises Minister, Malusi Gigaba. ABB than alternative designs.
was tasked with pioneering a single axis The PV plants are designed to operate
tracking solar PV system with a peaking independently to produce electrical power
capacity of 575 kilowatts (kW) and an for use by the existing power stations and
annual production potential of 12.5 million will be capable of remote operation and
kilowatt hours (kWh). monitoring.
Similarly, ABB also won the Eskom The technologies, several of which are
PV contract for installing a fixed-tilt solar patented by us, include a programmable
PV power plant at the Kendal station, in logic controller (PLC) that increases tracker
Mpumalanga, with a 620 kW capacity and accuracy and an automatic switching
contact 2 | 12 15

16. In focus
Going green with hybrid
power plants
Complementing fuel generation with solar energy for higher output and lower fuel
consumption and CO2 emissions
A
t present, fossil fuels dominate the
electricity generation landscape
of the Middle East where, both
the costs of inland fuel-burning
and the environmental impact of CO 2
emissions have raised concerns.
ABB’s integrated solar combined cycle
(ISCC) addresses this issue by employing
the region’s abundant solar irradiance into
highly efficient, reliable and environmentally-
friendly hybrid power plants. The concept
combines conventional fossil fuel-powered
steam turbines and a solar thermal steam
generator to provide reliable and clean
power.
Unlike classic, open-cycle, gas-fired
power plants, releasing high temperature
flue gasses directly into the atmosphere,
ABB’s combined cycle solution makes
use of this residual thermal energy, by
producing steam in a heat recovery steam
generator (HRSG). In parallel to this heat
recovery generated steam, ABB Novatec’s
Fresnel-based solar boilers produce a World’s first solar hybrid coal-fired power station of ABB in Liddell, Australia
second stream of superheated steam.
Due to the high solar thermal steam was completed in January 2012. The 9.3 60 percent. The on-site infrastructure,
parameters achieved in the solar boilers, megawatt (MW) power station consists together with the pre-existing operating
the two streams can operate independently, of four rows of linear Fresnel reflectors, licenses, further enhance our high-efficient,
resulting in high flexibility. covering an area of 18,000 square meters, clean electricity generation concept into a
almost the size of three football fields. profitable turnkey solution.
Increased energy efficiency – decreased ABB innovation and development of
emissions Enhanced oil recovery hybrid power plants provide a more energy-
This solar-augmentation process results Apart from utility electricity generation, efficient option for electricity generation in
in an increase of output power of the the idea of complementing fuel generation the Middle East, which relies heavily on
otherwise low-efficiency, fossil fuel-fired with solar energy can be particularly fossil fuels. In addition, the EOR method
power plants. In addition, it results in a useful for reducing the fuel consumption can increase the amount of oil extracted
significant reduction in fuel consumption of energy-intensive industries. For the by using solar generated steam – both
and CO2 emissions. This hybrid approach major oil producers in the Gulf Cooperation technologies are a vital step forward to
with the integration of solar power helps Council (GCC), the solar-based enhanced lowering the environmental impact of CO2
mitigate the effects of the fluctuant nature oil recovery (EOR) displays the potential emissions, which is an increasingly pressing
of solar irradiation. By modulating the fuel of significantly increasing the amount of issue, both in the Middle East and around
input of the plant, these fluctuations can extracted crude oil, while lowering the fuel the world.
be compensated, resulting in a permanent costs. By injecting solar generated steam For more information: www.abb.com/solar
coverage of the grid’s power needs. into the oil beds and heating them, the
ABB Novatec’s power plant in Liddell, viscosity of the heavy crude oil can be
Australia, is the world’s first integration reduced and facilitate its pumping to the
of solar thermal technology with a surface. Already technologically proven,
traditional coal-fired power station. The the concept can increase the amount of
project commenced in early 2011 and extractable oil from aging wells by upto
16 contact 2 | 12

17. In focus
Power you can rely on in harsh environmental conditions
Enhancing grid reliability
High voltage gas-insulated switchgear to support expansion of grid capacity in
Saudi Arabia and meet the rapidly growing demand for electricity
I
n the second quarter of 2012, ABB won of the total electricity consumption in the
an order worth over $40 million for high Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region.
voltage gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) Economic growth, led by the oil and gas
from the Al Toukhi Group, a leading sector is driving the development of power
engineering, procurement and construction infrastructure to secure electricity supplies.
(EPC) company.
The 420 kilovolt (kV) GIS equipment Closer to customers
supplied will form an integral part of In line with our business philosophy
the New Muhayil West and Al Omran to locate production and service facilities
substations being built for Saudi Electricity closer to our customers, we recently
Company (SEC), the country’s national announced a $40 million investment for the
power transmission and distribution construction of a new manufacturing plant
operator. The substations are scheduled for high voltage GIS and transformer
to be energized in June 2014. service workshop in Saudi Arabia.
ABB pioneered high voltage GIS in
Helping to meet Saudi Arabia’s growing the mid-1960s and as a market leader,
energy needs continues to drive technology and
Al Omran, located in the eastern part innovation, offering a full range in its product
of Saudi Arabia, is part of the Qurayyah portfolio with voltage levels from 72.5 kV
Independent Power Project (IPP). New to 1,200 kV. The compact, low-weight
Muhayil, connected to the Shuqaiq and and robust design features enable the
Namera North transmission network, is deployment of equipment in constrained
being constructed to meet the rapidly spaces and harsh conditions to enhance
growing demand for electricity in the grid reliability and efficiency with minimum
southwestern part of the country. maintenance needs.
“The new substations where this GIS For more information:
equipment will be installed will enhance http://www.abb.com/gridreliability
power capacity and help meet growing
electricity demand to support industrial
development in the country,” said Bernhard
Jucker, head of ABB’s Power Products
division.
Saudi Arabia accounts for around half
contact 2 | 12 17

18. In focus
Powering one of India’s
largest solar plants
40 MW grid-connected solar power plant in Gujarat commissioned in just five
months for Adani Group, who made a paradigm shift from thermal to solar power
generation
I
nfrastructure conglomerate, Adani
Group, commissioned a 40-megawatt
(MW) solar power plant in Bitta in
Gujarat's Bhuj district in December
2011. The plant marks Adani Group’s
foray into the renewable energy sector
and was commissioned in a record time
of five months. Over four lakh thin film
photovoltaic (PV) modules are mounted
on approximately 21,700 mounting
structures to generate 40 megawatts
of electricity. The Group envisions
setting up an even bigger 100 MW solar
power plant in the future, as a further
commitment towards clean and green
energy. Currently, the power generated
from this solar plant is connected to
Netra substation in the same district.
For ABB, this was one of the biggest
solar substation orders in India. The
scope included supply, erection and
commissioning of a 66 kilovolt (kV)
switchyard with two 66/11 kV, 25/31.5
megavolt amperes (MVA) power Adani's 40 MW solar plant in Bitta
transformers, 11 kV medium voltage
indoor switchgear, 10 two-way ring main national level. Gujarat’s solar capacity
units (RMU) and 18 three-way RMUs. today corresponds to two-thirds of the
Dhinesh D, Project Manager for the installed capacity of the entire nation.
Power Systems business, ABB in India For more information: www.abb.com/solar
said, “Meeting the rigorous parameters
set by the customer, within the short
time frame specified, proved to be a
tremendous challenge. Despite this, we
were able to deliver all products, from
transformers to RMUs, on time. The solid
Did you know?
support of our supply chain and divisions – We are partners in diverse – In Surendranagar we supplied two
and the overall coordination of effort photovoltaic solar plant projects PVS 800, 500 kW solar inverters
was critical to the successful execution across Gujarat, varying in scale and one 1,250 kVA solar compact
of this project.”We are also executing from 1 to 40 MW, and in location substation for Rajesh Power
from desert to inland waterways. Services Private Limited’s 1 MW
765 kV projects for Adani Group in other
– In Chandrasan, we supplied the plant, commissioned ahead of
locations; in Tiroda, Koradi and Akola.
compact substation and ring main schedule.
The Group’s entry into the solar
unit for SunEdison’s 1 MW canal-
space was greatly facilitated by
top solar power plant that covers
Gujarat Government’s policies and the
a one-kilometer stretch of the
preferential tariff regime established to
Narmada Canal.
encourage participation of developers
in this priority area. This state-specific
initiative has set an example at the
18 contact 2 | 12

19. In focus
HVDC transformer at Songo
Clean power from Mozambique
Songo-Apollo HVDC link to transmit 2 gigawatts power from the hydro plant on
the Zambezi river to neighboring South Africa
A
small but fast growing eco- In 2006, Eskom contracted ABB to
nomy, Mozambique in south- upgrade the Apollo converter station’s
east Africa is poised to capacity from 1,920 MW to 2,500 MW,
become the largest exporter and also lay the groundwork for a future
of coal, and with hydro power and more upgrade to 3,960 MW. Now ABB is
recently, the discovery of two enormous modernizing Apollo’s sister station in
gas fields in Mozambique waters, a Mozambique.
major energy exporter. The capacity at Songo station
The Cahora Bassa hydro plant on remains the same, but it will get new
the Zambezi river produces 2,075 converter transformers, smoothing Cahora Bassa Dam, Mozambique
megawatts (MW), most of which is reactors, arresters and measuring
exported to neighboring South Africa equipment. The DC equipment will be pool, and the HVDC transmission line
via a 1,400 kilometer (km) high voltage commissioned in the second half of linking it to the South African market
direct current (HVDC) transmission line. 2013 and the transformers a year later. will provide an efficient highway for the
Jointly owned by Hidroeléctrica de As with the Apollo upgrade, this project plant’s output for years to come.
Cahora Bassa in Mozambique and will enhance availability and reliability, Demand for clean energy is increasing
Eskom, South Africa’s public utility, the ensuring a steady flow of power from rapidly and infrastructure projects like
HVDC transmission system comprises Cahora Bassa. Songo will play a vital role in the African
two parallel lines stretching from the The two gigawatts of clean, reliable continent’s economic success story.
Songo converter station in Mozambique hydropower supplied by Mozambique For more information:
to the Apollo station near Johannesburg. is critical to South Africa, beset www.abb.com/energyefficiency
First installed in the late 1970s, the with recurring power shortages. For
Songo-Apollo link was largely destroyed Mozambique, the energy exports
during 25 years of civil war. Finally, a represent an important source of
restoration project repaired or replaced income. The Cahora Bassa plant is
nearly all the 4,200 transmission line already one of the largest generation
towers, bringing the system back online facilities in the South African power
in 1998.
contact 2 | 12 19

20. Events
Hotel Show, Dubai
Increasing energy efficiency in hotels
Rising energy demands and energy costs
world over have brought more and more
people around to the view that energy
efficiency is the alternative fuel. At The Hotel
Show in Dubai, UAE, ABB showcased the
i-bus® KNX technology which encourages
efficient energy usage. Meanwhile, the
thrice-nominated KNX team from ABB in
Egypt walked away with the 2012 KNX
Award at the Light and Building Fair in
Frankfurt, Germany.
“The hotel industry has started to focus Automation solutions for buildings
more on automated solutions that provide
greater energy efficiency, convenience and
ease of use. Buildings with our technology
are easier to manage and control, it allows
an everyday working or living environment
to be easily adapted to the individual’s
needs while saving energy.”
– Tarek Zakaria, regional manager for
KNX building technology, Middle East and
Africa
Solarcon, Bangalore and Renewable Energy World, New Delhi
Capturing the power of the sun
With the world’s focus firmly on the need
for increasing the proportion of renewables
in the energy mix, ABB shared its portfolio
of solar energy solutions at Renewable
Energy World 2012 exposition in New Delhi
and SOLARCON in Bangalore.
“The intensive preparation that went
into displaying our solar portfolio and the
in-depth discussions that followed with
various clients and visitors really paid off.
The renewables industry is going through
a consolidation phase in India and the SOLARCON, Bangalore
demand and opportunities for extending
power infrastructure have resulted in an
open, professional and specific exchange
of information.”
– Subir Pal, Country Manager, Industry
Segment Initiative (ISI)
Renewable Energy World, New Delhi
20 contact 2 | 12

21. Events
Aquatech, New Delhi
Managing a precious resource
Conservation is the most environmentally
sound way of reducing demand for water
that is a fast depleting resource all over
the globe. ABB shared its contributions
to sustainable resource management at
Aquatech, the largest international water
show in India.
“We rolled out our complete package
of solutions for instrumentation, control
and electrical (ICE) on a LCD screen,
from motors, switchgear and automation,
through desalination, water supply, sewage
treatment and effluent treatment plants to
lift irrigation, canal automation and non-
revenue water. We got great mileage
from Aquatech, closing two orders for
instrumentation on the spot.”
– Ravindra Akki, Country Water ISI,
Manager, India
Forthcoming events in the region
Southern Gulf and India
Pakistan
Visit us at Seatrade Middle East Maritime,
November 27-29, 2012, Dubai World Trade
Center – UAE, Stand M1.
Let ABB present convincing evidence on And find out more on increased uptime on Visit us at ELASIA 2013, the international
how we can increase asset performance turbochargers and reduced operation cost. exhibition on power, electrical and lighting
by 6%. from January 4-6, 2013, at BIEC, Bangalore,
Ask for proof on how we can achieve where you can see the very latest low
the extra output and we will show you how voltage product offerings from ABB.
we can lower cost and add more value
Central Africa and Egypt
to your business by focusing on the real
issues you are grappling with today:
– Extend asset life and reduce operational
expenditure
Mepcon12
– Reduce emissions and energy Get to know the latest technology trends
consumption at Middle East Power Systems Conference
– Make optimal use of assets and take MEPCON ’12 from December 23-25. The
quick decisions 15th international conference at Alexandria
– Stabilize power input and improve power in Egypt will explore power systems in
quality depth, from smart grids and power
– Safer operations electronics to FACTS and HVDC
transmission systems.
Visit us at Adipec 2012, November 11-14,
Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center
(ADNEC), Abu Dhabi, UAE.
contact 2 | 12 21

22. For a better world
Solar integration and export
Dedicated solutions for integrating solar power in the utility grid and trans-
continental transmission via HVDC enable our customers to optimize operations
and boost profitability
W
e support our customers right (Distributed Power Control and Dispatch The solar plants to be built in North Africa
from selecting the optimal Systems), as well as an innovative, fast need to be interconnected, but most of all,
generation solutions through and highly charged/discharged efficient the power needs to be transmitted over to
to enabling the reliable flywheel storage for grid stabilization. Europe through HVDC as it is across the
and profitable employment of their solar sea.
power. This translates to developing and HVDC the highway for solar export
embedding dedicated solutions for grid Favorable trends around solar generation Smart energy management
integration and commercialization of solar in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) The gradual shift from a centralized
electricity. There are a range of solutions region have brought the vision of exporting power flow, to a multi-actor energy market,
available such as: micro-grid approaches solar electricity, considerably closer to reality. calls for a strategic employment of the
for distributed generation, dedicated energy It is ABB’s groundbreaking discovery of generated power. Our dedicated tools
enable customers to both optimally operate
their plants and profitably participate in the
energy market. By employing Intelligent
Solar Information Systems (ISIS®), the solar
plant owner can easily perform a real-time
remote monitoring and operation of his
installation via Internet Explorer.
Dedicated demand/response
management tools facilitate the
coordination between the solar plant,
other generator types and the loads
existing in the grid and thus enable
the strategic operation of the plant. Tools
such as Ventyx Virtual Power Plant, enable
both the utility to incentivize the selling
of clean solar energy and the
environmentally conscious users to
choose it.
For more information: www.abb.com/solar
Dedicated solutions for grid integration and commercialization of solar power
management tools and high voltage direct high voltage direct current transmission
current (HVDC) transmission lines for that has built the highway that makes this
enabling the export of the Middle East’s export possible, technically reliable and
solar power. economically feasible. Through HVDC
transmission, large amounts of power can
Micro-grids integrate solar power be sent over long distances, with both,
Depending on the penetration level – low capital expenditures and significantly
share of the total instantaneous power in the decreased resistive and capacitive losses.
grid – the reliable integration of electricity ABB’s HVDC Light, specifically designed for
originating from intermittent sources such underground or underwater transmission,
as solar irradiation requires precise pre- is the ideal candidate for exporting ME
processing steps, voltage and frequency solar energy undersea. Together with the
regulation and control. ABB PowerCorp other 11 industry founders of the Desertec
manages to fully integrate solar power into Solar Initiative, we are focusing on the
the existing grid, by employing SMART feasibility, financing and construction of
GRID control and automation techniques the interconnection plan.
22 contact 2 | 12

23. For a better world
Highly efficient and cost-effective CSP power plants
Leading through innovation
Applying a range of efficient and reliable solutions suitable
for harsh desert climates, from concentrated solar power to solar steam
W
e are committed to providing thin, flat and light panels are used which are purposes, the so-called Enhanced Oil
the most efficient, reliable not only inexpensive to manufacture, but Recovery. According to a recent report
and competitive solar also easy to transport, install and maintain. by SBI, conventional oil recovery methods
solutions for high direct The secondary reflector contributes to are only able to extract about 10-30
normal irradiation (DNI) regions between the superheating of steam up to 500 percent of the potential oil from any given
1,800-2,500 kWh/m2/year and hot climates degrees centigrade, which translates into reservoir, leaving nearly 70-90 percent of
such as the Middle East. To support this, a significant efficiency gain, especially the reservoir’s oil in the ground source.
ABB has established strategic partnerships in regions with high environmental Injecting solar steam into the oil fields,
with the provider of the best performing temperatures. heats the reservoir, reducing the viscosity
concentrated solar power (CSP) solution: of the untapped heavy crude oil and
Novatec Solar. Solar steam and its range of applications facilitating its pumping. EOR technologies
Besides CSP plants for power can increase the quantity of extractable
ABB Novatec’s CSP solution generation, there are other ways of using oil from aging wells up to 60 percent.
In March 2011, ABB acquired 35 percent process steam generated directly in (Source: US Department of Energy – http://
of Novatec Solar’s shares and integrated Novatec’s Linear Fresnel Collectors. ABB www.fossil.energy.gov/programs/oilgas/
their innovative Fresnel Linear Collector Novatec’s solar boiler can successfully be eor/index.html)
technology into the company's power employed for retrofitting low-efficiency gas- Further applications which are of great
generation portfolio, making ABB a turnkey fired plants, a predominant component of interest and focus in the Middle East
supplier of highly efficient and cost-effective the current Middle Eastern energy mix. are solar cooling and solar desalination
CSP power plants. Linear Fresnel reflectors The CSP augmentation employed in the where ABB's long experience enables the
use long, thin segments of flat mirrors to integrated solar combined cycles (ISCC) design of all components in a way to reach
focus sunlight onto a fixed absorber located power plants is based on heat recovery and economical optimum regarding output and
at a common focal point of the reflectors. steam superheating in Fresnel boilers. The efficiency.
These mirrors are capable of concentrating integrated solar combined cycle concept For more information: www.abb.com/solar
the sun’s energy to approximately 30 times is a hybrid power plant. It is a conventional
its normal intensity. Novatec Solar is the gas turbine combined cycle and a solar
pioneer developer of the first commercial thermal steam generator that provides
CSP Plant called Puerto Errado in Murcia, reliable and clean power. Due to the high
Spain, operating since 2009 at a power solar thermal steam parameters achieved
plant efficiency of 38 percent. in Novatec’s Fresnel-based solar boilers
Employing the Fresnel reflector principle, ABB's ISCC cycle provides high solar
ABB Novatec’s CSP plants achieve shares at very low cost.
performances appreciably higher than the Another clever way of using solar
traditional parabolic trough plants. Super generated steam is for oil recovery
contact 2 | 12 23

24. Glimpses of ABB
Spurring Africa’s growth
Custom-made solar solutions expand local engineering
capabilities, benefitting both, the people and the environment of
the African continent
A
frica has an abundance of natural A lucrative marketplace, Africa has
resources and many African been identified by ABB as a key growth
countries are counted among market. With our industry expertise and
the fastest growing economies comprehensive environmentally-conscious
in the world. So, on the one hand the portfolio, we are currently operational in
continent continues to grow exponentially, more than 15 countries on the African
while on the other, the World Bank has continent: namely Algeria, Angola,
estimated that more than 500 million Botswana, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic
Africans are living without electricity. It is Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Egypt,
estimated that by 2015 Africa will produce Ghana, Ivory Coast, Democratic Republic
20 percent of global oil and by 2040 the of Congo, Kenya, Mauritius, South Africa,
African population may exceed that of India Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
or China. With growing economies and To accommodate the growth on
booming populations, providing reliable the African continent, South Africa and
electricity is becoming a huge challenge. Egypt have been identified as centers of
Transmission and distribution grids in excellence in an initiative called the Focus
many parts of Africa are operating close Africa Re-wire strategy. The two countries
to capacity, and although new grids are will continue to drive sales in Africa by
being built rapidly, many Africans still have recruiting and training additional sales
no access to electricity. engineers who will be active in the market
24 contact 2 | 12

25. Glimpses of ABB
Johannesburg – the commercial hub of South
Africa
with existing customers while developing levels of energy efficiency through the agenda for Africa, particularly south of
and extending our customer base. deployment of alternative and renewable the Sahara by strategically deploying the
As a center of excellence, South Africa sources. most suitable of our many innovations.
provides support to Angola, Congo, Through energy efficiency, companies ABB recently launched a new concept
Kenya, Tanzania and Mozambique. These – and countries – can improve their for turnkey concentrating solar power
countries form part of the sub-Saharan sustainability significantly, allowing them (CSP) plants based on a low-cost, highly
region. Predictions in the World Bank’s to focus their effort on other important efficient and highly scalable technology
latest ’Global Economic Prospects’ report elements such as staff and skills that uses considerably less material, land
indicate that the sub-Saharan African region development. and water than any other CSP technology.
is expected to record a 5.3 percent growth Globally, the energy efficiency of thermal The ABB-Novatec Solar concept can be
in 2013 as global firms and domestic power plants alone has improved by three used to generate energy in a wide range
demands remain robust. Despite a slower percentage points since 1990. However, of applications including stand-alone or
projected growth, developing countries strong disparities still exist between hybrid power plants, as fuel-savers in
are expected to account for more than developed countries and the developing existing power plants, in desalination and
half of the global growth from 2012 to world, where efficiency is low, mainly due district cooling plants, and in industrial
2014. Huge investments in infrastructure to aging plants and the large share of coal processes that require steam. This is a
are an integral part of the springboard for in thermal generation. Africa in particular fine example of a solution ideally suited to
economic growth for both South Africa needs to be smart and forward thinking with the African continent’s requirements.
and for the whole southern African region. its technology and automation investments. Expanding local engineering capabilities
The reliable supply of electricity, therefore, With its recognized expertise in power and working with customers to develop
remains a pressing issue on the continent. grid efficiency improvements, ABB has custom-made solutions that will benefit
While globally coal remains the main worked with many power companies and the people and the environment while
source for the production of electricity (40 authorities around the world to reduce the making the business more sustainable
percent), with natural gas accounting for rate of transmission and distribution losses. is ABB’s key objective for Africa. It has
more than 20 percent, almost half of the However, most of these improvements were the technology, the expertise and the
electricity-producing countries of the world effected in developed countries, mainly experience to leverage its footprint with
have an emission factor of below 500 g through the use of low-loss conductors production in all five divisions.
CO2 / kWh in 2009. However, Africa, with and transformers, the standardization and One of sub-Sahara’s most recent wins
its large share of coal in the power mix, upgrading of transmission and distribution is the five-year Full Service® contract with
continues to be a very high CO 2 emission voltages, and reactive power control. It is Namibia Custom Smelters (NCS). ABB
producer, presenting both challenges and now our aim to play an even bigger part will manage all maintenance to improve
opportunities for the introduction of greater in driving the fast-track developmental productivity and equipment reliability at the
contact 2 | 12 25

26. Glimpses of ABB
Enhancing local engineering capability
copper smelting and converting plant in development program involves the security stations and earth electrodes. This is the
Tsumeb, some 425 kilometers north of the and quality supply of its electrical energy first time that this technology will be used for
capital, Windhoek. We will also provide to the various treatment, pumping and overhead transmission lines. The Caprivi Link
process optimization, energy consulting distribution stations. In order to achieve the Interconnector will increase grid reliability
and equipment life cycle services, mainly safe and reliable supply of electrical energy, and enable the establishment of power
through the retained maintenance staff and they have embarked on a medium voltage trading in the southern African region.
management who will be further trained switchgear replacement project which spans The African continent certainly has
to meet our performance standards. across the various areas of its operation. established itself as the world’s current
The plant houses two primary smelting ABB in South Africa was awarded phase focus for business growth opportunities
furnaces and three converters. It has an one of the switchgear replacement project and ABB is poised to leverage those
annual production capacity of 200,000 tons in February 2012 at a value of R21.5 million. opportunities, while contributing in a significant
of copper concentrate from the treatment Our superior technology and compliance way to the sustainable development of a
of complex copper concentrates containing to the IEC 62271 standard, coupled with great continent.
gold, silver and arsenic. The smelter is one extensive experience and credibility in the For more information: www.abb.co.za
of only a few in the world which is able to water industry, were some of the key factors
treat arsenic-bearing copper concentrates. in winning us this order. The estimated
Another exciting project is the Rand date of completion for phase one is June
Water project in South Africa. This project 2013, and once complete, it will assist in
includes the supply, delivery, installation and enabling Rand Water to continue to supply
cold commissioning of 78 switchgear panels high quality potable water to the Gauteng
to four Rand Water sites namely, Amazimtoti, region.
Vereeniging, Lethabo and Palmiet. Rand A pioneer project in the region involves
Water is an organ of state, reporting to the a 2 x 300 megawatt (MW) interconnection
Department of Water and Environmental between a converter station in the Caprivi
Affairs. Their distribution network strip in Namibia, close to the border of
includes over 3,056 kilometers of large Zambia, and another converter station,
diameter pipeline, feeding 58 strategically about 300 kilometers north of Windhoek.
located service reservoirs. Its customers Known as the Caprivi Link Interconnector,
include metropolitan municipalities, local the project spans over a distance of 950
municipalities, mines and industries and kilometers, with AC voltages of 320 kilovolt
it supplies, on average, 3,653 million (kV) and 400 kV on the two ends of a
liters of water to these customers daily. In bipolar 350 kV DC overhead line. This is
order to ensure continuity of supply, Rand the first HVDC Light® project to be built
Water invests huge resources to expand, with overhead lines. ABB was responsible
upgrade and maintain its infrastructure. for system engineering including design,
An important aspect of this infrastructure supply and installation of the two converter
26 contact 2 | 12

27. Executive editor: Karen Wilds
Editor-in-chief: Sanaj Natarajan
Production team:
Ali Kelani, Anita Ramkumar, Arnab Sarkar
Claire Hill, Devaashish S. Savant, Erika Velazquez,
Giridhar Sharma, Ivor Vidjen, Michael Wachter,
Natasha Mathebula, Peter Stierli, Rakesh Shastri,
Rubi Rakha, Sanaj Natarajan, Tamara Chetty
Tuija Elomaa-Maenpaa, Wendy Joseph
Contact is published in English for circulation
among ABB customers and stakeholders with
an interest in ABB offerings, products and
technologies.
Partial reprints or reproductions are permitted
subject to full acknowledgement. Complete
reprints require the publisher’s written consent.
Publisher and copyright ©2012
ABB Asea Brown Boveri Ltd.
Disclaimer
The information contained herein reflects the Preview 3|12
views of the authors and is for informational
Energy Efficiency –
purposes only. Readers should not act upon the
information contained herein without seeking
professional advice. We make publications
available with the understanding that the authors
are not rendering technical or other professional doing more while
lowering costs and
advice or opinions on specific facts or matters
and assume no liability whatsoever in connection
emissions
with their use.
The companies of the ABB Group do not make
any warranty or guarantee, or promise, expressed
or implied, concerning the content or accuracy of
the views expressed herein.
ABB has been in the energy business for
120 years. Using energy more efficiently
will not only contribute the lion’s share of
emissions reductions needed, it is arguably
the most sustainable and cheapest way to
reduce emissions and address global energy
security. Energy-efficient systems can pay
for themselves in energy saving, sometimes
within months, and further reduce operation
and maintenance costs in the long term. Plug
in to the next issue of Contact to understand
how we help our customers squeeze the most
value from each unit of energy they use.
contact 2 | 12 27

28. Connect renewable power to the grid?
Electricity generated by water, sun and wind is most abundant in remote areas
like mountains, deserts or far out at sea. ABB’s leading power and automation
technologies help renewable power reach about 70 million people by integrating
it into electrical grids, sometimes over vast distances. Our effort to harness
Naturally.
renewable energy is making power networks smarter, and helping to protect the
environment and fight climate change. www.abb.com/betterworld