Italy’s entrepreneurial fabric is rich with companies whose names have contributed to the prestige of an entire industry. These also include Brugola OEB Industriale Spa, known more simply as Brugola, a company founded in 1926 by Egidio Brugola, the man who in 1945 filed and was granted a patent for the hexagonal hollow head screw […]
In the hope of avoiding energy demand penalties and slashing their expensive bills, Hospital Fatima in Brazil reached out to WattsOn for their expertise in energy efficiency, and they did not disappoint: • WattsOn helped the Hospital reduce their carbon footprint by 80% • ROI was achieved in just 4 short months • 40% total […]
At a time when sustainability and innovation are moving ever closer, homeowners and businesses across the UK are searching for ways to harness clean energy and reduce energy costs, while using available space more efficiently. Solar carports are therefore a practical option to consider, offering a mix of functionality and energy performance, the product is […]
As the race towards net-zero intensifies, industrial manufacturers are increasingly focused on their path towards an emission-free operation of industrial plants. The implementation of energy efficiency measures within the industrial sector is, however, often delayed due to the associated capital expenditures and the potential additional burden on the balance sheet. Thanks to the collaboration between […]
DENMARK: Building owners in Taarnby Municipality, Greater Copenhagen, enjoy competitively priced and environmentally friendly cooling thanks to a world-first project. This project integrates the production of district cooling and district heating in combination with ground source cooling and chilled water storage in one facility that also exploits surplus heat from a nearby wastewater treatment plant. […]
District heating companies are introducing renewable energy sources to replace fossil fuels. Such energy generators operate at lower temperatures than conventional ones, which changes operating strategies and increases complexity, especially in times of high demand. To maintain operational and economic stability, district heating companies are taking various hardware and software measures. Thermal storage solutions (also […]
In response to rising energy costs, industrial companies are seeking innovative ways to enhance energy efficiency. A notable example is La Papeterie du Léman, a French paper mill that has managed to save 1 tonne of steam per hour and 12.5 GWh of energy annually with the help of Alfa Laval heat transfer solutions. The […]
Nordic shipping giant Tallink Grupp has recently analysed the initial results of the most recent technical upgrade to its Tallinn-Stockholm route vessel Baltic Queen and found that the upgrade has led to a significant 13% increase in energy efficiency (i.e., the amount of fuel needed to travel 1 nautical mile has reduced by 13%) and reduction in […]
Arlanda Airport, a major hub for Scandinavian air traffic, has successfully optimized its energy efficiency, achieving annual energy savings of 19 GWh, equivalent to the energy used by 2,000 average-sized Swedish single-family houses. The key to this success was the use of an underground thermal water storage system, which utilizes the largest known aquifer located […]
Alfa Laval, in collaboration with eight other industrial companies, is developing high-capacity hydrogen refuelling stations for heavy-duty vehicles as part of the EU’s HORIZON Europe funding programme. The project aims to support the transportation sector’s shift from fossil fuels to sustainable energy sources like hydrogen. The goal is to create stations capable of safely refuelling […]
A small European ethanol producer, Etanol Lab, collaborated with Alfa Laval to implement an innovative modification at their new plant in Serbia. The modification involved integrating the beer column with a rectification column using Alfa Laval’s plate heat exchanger technology as a beer column reboiler. The initial design faced concerns about fouling, but through a […]
The European Spallation Source (ESS) will be connected to the district heating network in Lund, Sweden, utilizing recovered, fossil-free waste heat. Alfa Laval will supply heat exchangers made from emission-free steel from SSAB, ensuring an energy-efficient solution. The International Energy Agency (IEA) suggests that district heating networks could be instrumental in achieving net-zero emissions by […]
Rio Tinto, the world’s largest dry bulk shipper, has chosen Alfa Laval’s OceanGlide fluidic air lubrication system to enhance the energy efficiency of its vessels. The system, introduced in 2023, has been selected for retrofitting one of Rio Tinto’s bulk carriers, marking a significant step in the company’s decarbonization journey. OceanGlide reduces specific drag by […]
Alfa Laval, a leader in heat transfer, centrifugal separation, and fluid handling, has received over 100 orders for its low-flashpoint fuel supply system (LFSS) FCM Methanol, reflecting the growing trust in the company’s fuel treatment expertise. The maritime industry is shifting towards decarbonization, with methanol emerging as a preferred alternative fuel. Alfa Laval’s FCM Methanol, […]
The food and beverage industry faces significant challenges in the coming decade due to water scarcity, particularly for a leading global yeast producer that requires five liters of water for every 50 grams of yeast. The company has set an environmental goal to maximize water reuse and increase energy efficiency in its production process. To […]
As the global market for plant-based drinks is projected to reach USD 71.46 billion by 2030, industry leaders are integrating sustainability and circularity into their operations. A North American plant-based food and beverage producer has made these principles the core of their approach, leading to the optimization of process efficiency in their new plant. The […]
The social media giant Meta has taken a significant step towards energy efficiency with the construction of its new Odense data centre in 2017. The facility, one of the most advanced and energy-efficient data centres globally, uses hyper-efficient hardware, indirect evaporative cooling technology, and renewable wind energy. A unique feature of this facility is its […]
Heat recovery made possible by Alfa Laval plate heat exchangers About 65 MW of heat is generated in sulphur-burning acid plants with a daily capacity of 1,000 tons. Around two-thirds of the heat originate from the sulfur burner and the converter. Most acid producers know how to recover this heat for production of high-pressure steam. […]
To overcome this challenge, the MWA needed to gather in-depth data from across the Bangkok water supply, so it decided to increase its install base of flowmeters. It has been using ABB AquaMaster flowmeters since 2007, and it increased the total number to over 400 with the help of ABB Channel Partner, Thai Meter. The […]
The Karnataka government needed a way to effectively monitor water flow and minimize leaks across a hugely dispersed network that includes 620 overhead tanks and 16 reservoirs. L&T Construction Water & Effluent Treatment IC, the lead contractor for the digital water management project, selected ABB AquaMaster 4 flowmeters and ABB Ability supervisory control and data […]
he ABB-built greenhouse gas sensors can map emissions of methane from space at a resolution 100 times higher than any other sensor. While previously only larger regions could be surveyed, for the first time, the greater granularity of the GHGSat methane map now enables the identification of the source of the emissions. An additional nine […]
Decision makers at STT GDC are considering a range of options to achieve this important goal, including alternative energy sources, optimizing water use, new construction technologies, and innovative cooling solutions. One step that the organization is already taking is applying artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to identify opportunities for energy optimization in its […]
It is a frosty morning in Sweden’s western archipelago, a picture-postcard region where white and rust-red houses perch on bedrock worn smooth by wind and pounding waves. Fishing boats cut their way across the large fjord as a flock of seabirds circles overhead. Nestled in this idyllic landscape is one of Europe’s most modern and […]
A key piece of this strategy came online in 2021: the Keppel Marina East Desalination Plant (KMEDP), a dual-mode plant that processes seawater and reservoir water into clean drinking water. This plant alone provides 30 million gallons of water every day, serving seven percent of Singapore’s demand. Desalination will play an increasing role in Singapore’s […]
Fortunately, many in Vietnam’s steel industry are taking steps to reduce emissions. The Hoa Phat Hai Duong Complex, founded in 2007, produces 850,000 tons of steel each year. Its modern synchro production line is the largest in the country. To lower the plant’s emissions and work toward sustainable steel production, the operator – Hoa Phat […]
The Port of Toulon is governed by the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (Région Sud PACA), which aims to reduce emissions with a plan for “zero-smoke stopovers” by providing electricity to ships in port. Shore to ship power connections allow ships to turn off diesel generators during port calls. This effort will also involve electrifying ports in Marseille and […]
Australia-based Perenti has significant mining expertise and technical capability, which complements ABB’s technology expertise. Together, the teams plan to explore business models and solutions to provide wider services for pilot, brownfield and greenfield mining customer projects to support the electrification of operations. ABB has been calling for open collaboration within the mining industry and has […]
Global mining company aiming at higher profitability Improving energy efficiency is a key aspect for mining and minerals plant management, especially due to increasing electricity costs. Vale, a global mining company, improves the production-energy balance by integrating production and electrical environments to achieve the following benefits: The availability of quality system data necessary to day-to-day […]
Archimedean Screws These are often found on the inlet or used for returning the RAS to the inlet. They are often large powers and expensive to repair. Inverters can offer: You can read a case study about inverter technology on Archimedean Screws here. Aeration Sewage works often need aeration whether it be from surface aerators or […]
The site’s switchgear was becoming crowded, making it difficult to add new equipment to the system. Some of the existing equipment was over fifty years old, well beyond its estimated service life. This additional complexity made servicing a challenging process. Decision makers agreed that the facility was overdue for an upgrade. ABB experts conducted an […]
The partnership between ABB and its official founding and logistics partner, DHL, offers mutual benefits beyond the two companies, extending to their respective customers. Partners of each business, such as Formula E, benefit from ABB’s energy-efficient technologies, data-driven insights, and service expertise integrated into DHL’s value chain through digitally connected devices. Simultaneously, this strategic alliance […]
Energy Saving for Quarries For many organisations, energy is one of the top 3 costs! The energy saving potential of variable speed drives is well documented, but how do you really know what can be saved on each application (we achieve particularly good energy saving results when applying variable speed drives to pumps and fans)? […]
Energy Saving For many organisations, energy is one of the top 3 production costs. The energy saving potential of variable speed drives is well documented, but how do you really know what can be saved on each application (we achieve particularly good energy saving results when applying variable speed drives to pumps and fans)? The […]
Nasta’s electrification of construction equipment started in 2019 when it won the contract to provide emission-free construction machines for a roadbuilding project in central Oslo. After completing the project, the company entered into talks with ABB, subsequently appointing them to supply all powertrain components along with knowledge-sharing on energy efficiency, sustainable construction equipment, and emission-free […]
When it comes to transportation, the opportunities for improvement are obvious. Moving people, goods and raw materials accounts for almost 30% of worldwide carbon dioxide emissions. Moving away from fossil fuels and introducing electrical power is one way that we can help meet the sustainability targets that have been set. Together with industry partners, we […]
Read the white paper Discover how electrical powertrains can transform the efficiency of industrial vehicles, transportation and marine vessels.Read the white paper 1. Transport is responsible for 30% of global emissions Vehicles which transport people, goods and raw materials account for over 25% of the world’s total energy consumption and they are responsible for almost […]
Read the white paper Read the white paper to find out what energy efficiency solutions are available now and how you can make better decisions to reduce your energy consumption.Read the white paper 1. Energy efficiency is an essential business driver By combining advanced analytics and expertise, data can be brought together to give companies […]
Read the report here A multi-industry study on the shift towards energy efficiency and sustainability.Read the report here In recent years, as issues related to climate change have come to the fore, the will to move towards more sustainable operations has been growing in many companies. However, although the desire to change is present, practical […]
However, with so many motors, operators found it difficult to identify additional opportunities to improve efficiency. They needed a way to understand how electricity was really being used throughout the facility and find the motors and other equipment that were wasting power. Waggeryd selected the ABB AbilityTM Condition Monitoring solution. This involved placing 156 smart […]
The Aurubis Group has taken this very approach to improving sustainability in one of their smelters. Partnering with the German energy supplier enercity Aktiengesellschaft, Aurubis has become the driving force behind a district heating network that serves Hamburg’s HafenCity neighbourhood. The energy for the network comes from waste heat that Aurubis recovers from their nearby […]
Processing 21,000 tons a day The Südzucker group is a multinational producer of sugar, starch and fruit products based in Germany. With over a hundred years of history, today they produce 3.7 million tons of sugar annually at their beet sugar factories in Germany, France, Belgium, Poland, and Moldavia. The vast majority of beet sugar arrives […]
The iron and steel industry accounts for 7% of global carbon emissions. Part of the reason for this is the highly energy-intensive processes involved in production. Using energy in steel production “Steel is produced in several different ways,” explains Mannisto. “One way is to take iron ore and melt it into iro in a blast […]
Operators undertook a 360-degree energy efficiency project, including optimizing various aspects of the steel plant’s operation through investment in new technologies. The project touched every aspect of the operation, from the furnaces to auxiliary systems such as compressed air, water, pumping and smoke extraction. Beltrame deployed ABB motors and drives in critical processes to great […]
Read the white paper Decarbonizing and improving energy efficiency in the iron and steel industry.Read the white paper 1. The steel industry is the world’s largest industrial consumer of coal. The steel industry uses coal to meet 75% of its energy needs. Together, iron and steel making account for about 7% of total global CO2 […]
It was during this mobilization that, in 2018, leaders of a French water supply company launched an ambitious new project. Distribution of drinking water requires the use of energy-intensive pumps and motors. Wear and tear or poor operation of this equipment can result in significant energy losses. Extensive renovation was to begin on pump stations […]
For IKEA, sustainability is a significant driver of innovation and growth, and one of the fundamental pillars of IKEA’s sustainability strategy is the reduction of its carbon footprint. The company’s goal is to reduce emissions by 80 percent by 2030. HVAC systems often account for around 40 percent of commercial buildings’ energy consumption, so developing […]
In Singapore, desalination is one of the ways in which the country provides drinking water to the 5.7 million residents of the island city-state. The latest and one of the world’s most modern desalination plants, the Keppel Marina East Desalination Plant (KMEDP), was officially opened in February 2021. Innovative technology and process optimization in water […]
Read the white paper Improving the efficiency of pumping systems can reduce energy use everywhere fresh water is needed.Read the white paper Here are 4 ways that utilities can save energy throughout their systems. 1. Energy optimizationVariable speed drives (VSDs), such as the ABB ACQ580 for water and wastewater, can include dynamic energy optimization controls […]
Main photo (l-r): Elina Jani and Ts. Shamsul Bahar Mohd Nor (MGTC), R Narayanan, Nirmala Devi and Joyce Lim (ABB) at the signing of the MoU. MGTC is an agency under the purview of the Ministry of Environment and Water (KASA) mandated to drive the country’s green growth, climate change mitigation and green lifestyle agenda. […]
At SCA Munksund, Sweden – one of the company’s two kraftliner mills – 400,000 tons of packaging material are produced every year. The term “kraftliner” refers to paper or paperboard produced using the kraft process, which is massively energy intensive. This energy mostly goes into powering the mill’s electric motors – more than 2,400 of them. […]
Read the white paper New digital solutions enable the constant optimization of energy intensive processes.Read the white paper 1. Data-driven decision making Before you make investment decisions to reduce energy costs, you first need to know how and where your energy is being used. However, in many industries, it is still common for electricity usage […]
Overall, buildings are responsible for over 30% of global energy consumption. We need to reconsider how we design and operate buildings, and to choose more energy efficient designs and technologies for the future. Governments around the world are already legislating to direct things in a more sustainable direction and, for example, the European Union hopes […]
Commits to five percent energy efficiency improvement in operations by 2023 compared to 2020. Recognizing the critical role that energy efficiency can play to decarbonize industry, Alfa Laval has made this public commitment to improve its own processes, in production, service and products. It includes setting the target of improving energy efficiency – measured in […]
In Finland, the heating of properties constitutes more than one quarter of the country’s total energy consumption. Therefore, making it as efficient as possible will be essential to meeting the ambitious Carbon Neutral Finland 2035 goal. An increasingly popular approach involves combined heating and cooling (CHC). Oilon produces combined, energy-efficient heating and cooling systems, such […]
Within the industry, the refrigeration and cooling sector is responsible for ensuring that products are stored and transported at appropriate temperatures, helping prevent wastage. Refrigeration is required at all steps of production, from chilling and freezing in a factory to cold storage in a retail display. In a food plant, it can account for more […]
Because increasing energy efficiency offers important power and cost savings in the food and beverage industry, identifying areas where efficiency can be most improved is paramount. Read the white paper To meet sustainability targets we need to move to more energy efficient means of food and beverage production and reduce waste. The technology to do […]
There are basically four things we can do to cut our carbon emissions and fight climate change: We will need all of the above. The extent to which we need to rely on the first category depends on how well we are able to implement measures in categories 2-4. Last week, I participated in a […]
The plant needed to upgrade six older 30-kilowatt (kW) DC motors which were used to drive the filter drums in one of the bleachers. The motors operate almost constantly – approximately 8,600 hours per year – so any opportunity to improve their energy efficiency would result in significant emission and cost reductions. Metsä Board selected […]
Great hope is now placed on the manufacturing sector to resuscitate Indonesia’s economy. The realization of new investment and provision of job opportunities in the sector are pivotal to driving post-pandemic recovery efforts in the consumer-driven economy. By the end of 2020, the manufacturing sector was the second largest energy user in Indonesia, behind the […]
Speedy entertainment Since its first race in Beijing in 2014, ABB Formula E has served up speedy entertainment for fans around the world with 12 teams competing in the 2020-21 series. The “E” stands for electric, meaning that cars cannot use any other type of energy to power themselves. But while it is a lot […]
A machine for making paper is a huge piece of equipment: almost 80 meters long, powered by dozens of electric motors, and in operation 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Model Group operates two of these mighty machines at its main Swiss facility in Weinfelden. These machines generate paper for corrugated cardboard production, […]
Cut energy costs now By implementing new technologies and industry best-practices, energy efficiency can be improved by up to 30%. Globally, electric motors account for almost 70% of electricity used in industrial applications. And 45% of the world’s electricity is used to power electric motors in buildings and industrial processes, including data centers, steel factories, […]
ABB Motion’s Sustainability Challenge 2021 put future engineers to the test The competition – open to Swedish University and College students – was themed ‘Developing the most sustainable solution for a better world’. Launched in April, the contest brief pointed out that ‘the energy that does not need to be consumed has the least environmental […]
Transportation is an essential and integral part of our lives, and the world is seeking ways to reduce emissions and eliminate fossil-fuels. Therefore, we require cleaner, more sustainable and more energy efficient modes of transport. Electric trains are one of the most efficient modes of transport available and even when trains are powered by fossil fuels, they are still […]
The realization that energy usage must become more sustainable and efficient is not new. The EU has played a part in promoting energy efficiency for two decades, and it is a vision shared by many parliamentarians. “Over the years, the European Parliament has been setting the agenda,” says Morten Petersen, “and, when I speak to […]
In terms of ubiquitous technology, motors and drives must come near the top of the list. There is hardly any aspect of our daily lives which is untouched by them. “Electric motors and variable speed drives really enable our modern way of life,” explains Wierod, “even if most of us don’t think about them on […]
Drawing the significant amount of electricity required to power these pumps disrupts the local grid. Electrical disturbance includes dimming of the lights in nearby buildings any time the pumps start or stop. The council aimed to eliminate these disturbances and upgrade the pump motors to more efficient models, in line with Stage 1 of the […]
The most common continuous disturbances present in many networks are harmonics, and these can have a significant effect not only on power network efficiency, but also on reliability. Harmonics are electromagnetic pollution on the power network Harmonics are electromagnetic pollution on the power network, and they result in current and voltage waveform distortion. This negatively […]
Globally, transport accounts for approximately one-fifth of carbon dioxide emissions. It is well-known that public transport is more environmentally friendly than private vehicles, but even trains and buses have opportunities for improved energy efficiency. For example, even if electric power is available for train operation, infrastructure issues might mean that diesel power is still used. […]
World Environment Day is celebrated each year on June 5 to encourage and raise global awareness of environmental protection. This year, the theme for World Environment Day is ‘Ecosystem Restoration’, and it centers on resetting our relationship with nature, something which requires greater conviction and a more cohesive effort. The world is not just home […]
Originally published in the Financial Times on June 1st, 2021 Throughout history, humans have sought to overcome the challenge of converting energy into motion via the most efficient means possible. Beginning with the use of wind and water mills in the earliest civilisations, to the invention of the steam engine in 1772, and the adoption […]
The huge building must remain comfortable in Shanghai’s variable climate, which regularly exceeds 30°C (86°F) in the summer and drops to freezing in the winter. The key to maintaining a comfortable temperature is the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system – but these systems typically consume around 50 percent of all energy used in […]
Moving to the city Urbanization is one of the megatrends of our time and by 2050 it is predicted that 68% of the world’s population will live in cities. As a result, many cities around the world are building rapidly to accommodate their new inhabitants. This means that right now is a good time to […]
Two of the main topics they discuss are power generation and power consumption. Ever since the invention of the steam engine, developing ways to generate more power from the same amount fuel has been crucial to driving technology forward. And, equally, finding ways to do more with less energy has also been important. However, to […]
For AP&T, using the synchronous reluctance (SynRM) motor from ABB is a key component that improves the efficiency and sustainability of their servo hydraulic presses. Mikael Karlsson points out that they are two different things – Both important drivers for their customers. “When we look at energy efficiency, it is still firstly an economical factor […]
In 2020, the facility needed to replace the motors for the back sludge pumping station II and the flocculation filtration system. The funding was provided by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety. To meet the requirements of the National Climate Protection Initiative, the upgrades would have to prioritize the efficiency […]
45% of all electricity is converted into motion by electric motors The motors behind your everyday life Whether we like it or not, almost everything we use in everyday life comes from some sort of factory. From food and water to clothes, everything is manufactured or processed. And wherever things are produced, there is a […]
We humans have only been on this planet that we call Earth for a relatively short period of time – only a couple hundred thousand years out of the 4.5 billion years the Earth has existed. Still, during that relatively short period we have evolved to become the dominant species on the planet, largely because […]
Driving change through regulations The progress and evolution of adopting IEC standards as national standards also outside of Europe has been the result of intensive and effective collaboration between all stakeholders participating in different IEC technical committees and working groups. The next steps that would be extremely beneficial for industry, end users and manufacturers would […]
Unlimited clean energy for the future Professor Thornhill is a self-admitted fan of both science and science fiction. “I was brought up on science fiction. The great thing about science fiction is that it has shown us that energy is absolutely crucial for the future of mankind. With unlimited energy we could pretty much solve […]
While the origins of the IEA lie in the need to ensure an adequate energy supply to meet the needs of people and economies, over time it has become more and more clear that a big part of ensuring availability has to do with gaining an understanding of how people use energy. The consumption of […]
Emma has just submitted her master thesis, in which she investigates the environmental impact of an ABB synchronous motor and drive installation over its life cycle. Her findings confirmed the importance of energy efficiency in motor and drive technology in terms of reducing energy consumption, and thus improving environmental performance. Young people like Emma are […]
This year on July 1st, the new EU Ecodesign Regulation (EU) 2019/1781 for motors and drives comes into force. This aims to reduce energy consumption across the whole of the European Union. While the new regulation will directly affect companies that buy, sell and use motors and drives it might be less clear how it […]
But I am also a realist – it will not be easy, and it will require a lot of focused research, innovation and investment. It will call for collaboration between governments, businesses and academia – working together with a common objective, high urgency and determination. Where should we start? There is so much we can […]
Innovations can sometimes change the world fundamentally and quickly, but change is more often gradual, happening because of improvements to existing innovations as we find ways to do things better. But it always requires the ability to imagine something into existence. For example, our Large Motors and Generators team recorded the highest efficiency ever for […]
To find opportunities to reduce power use at the Shepparton plant, operators contacted A1 Electric Motors, an ABB Value Provider. They identified an inefficient, energy-intensive refrigeration compressor motor and conducted a cost-benefit analysis to identify potential savings. The forecasted savings were almost double what the site’s Environmental and Safety Manager expected. A1 Electric Motors installed […]
The InterContinental Madrid hotel has been a favorite among travelers for 70 years. The hotel management was eager to improve the old building’s sustainability, but they felt strongly that any changes shouldn’t compromise convenience or comfort for guests. The management conducted an energy efficiency audit with Exel Industrial – an ABB Value Provider. It revealed […]
