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ABB group provides smart technologies in China

By LI FANGFANG
Updated: 2010-05-27 00:00

China is the most important market for ABB Group, a leader in power and automation technologies, and where the company has the biggest growth potential, according to Brice Koch, executive vice-president of ABB Group and head of marketing and customer solutions.

Koch is responsible for overseeing relations with ABB’s largest customers and the development of opportunities in strategic growth areas such as rail, wind, water and smart grids.

“The world suffered the most serious financial crisis last year. To offset the impact of the crisis, we have to find new growth engines in new markets,” said Koch. “How to maintain a leading position in new energy sector is very important for our company’s future sustainable development.”

ABB staged its annual North Asia Region “ABB Automation World” in China recently, focused on smart technologies and energy efficiency, and showcased the company’s products and innovations, demonstrating how they contribute to industrial productivity especially in China’s high growth areas such as renewable energy and high-speed railways.

“Tapping renewables and developing high-speed railways has become a pressing task to maintain the sustainable development of China’s economy. With ABB’s leading technologies in these areas, we hope to play an active role in bolstering the country’s infrastructure construction,” said Koch.

As a leading player in the wind power sector, ABB is the largest supplier of electric components for wind turbines and the leading supplier for connecting power to the grid.

It has actively participated in many large-scale wind projects in China, including China’s biggest wind farm in Rudong, Jiangsu and the country’s first offshore wind farm — the Donghai Bridge Offshore Wind Farm Project in Shanghai.

“In 2009, ABB China’s wind power business increased over 125 percent from the previous year,” said Claudio Facchin, chairman and president of ABB China.

ABB is also a leading smart technology provider in the hydroelectric field, with advanced computer control systems such as the 800xA, and a variety of leading technologies for HVDC transmission.

“ABB’s 800xA systems have been widely used for hydro power plants in China, integrating automation functions in a single operation and engineering environment,” said Koch.

ABB contributes to China’s solar power industry with a full range of solutions. The company has engaged in a number of large-scale solar photovoltaic projects in China and throughout Asia.

As a world leading independent supplier of rolling stock equipment to the rail vehicle industry and fixed installations to rail network operators, ABB smart technologies and solutions cover every aspect of rail line infrastructure.

The company has participated in a number of key high-speed railway construction projects, including the world’s fastest and longest high-speed railway — the Wuhan-Guangzhou line — and the Zhengzhou-Xi’an and Wuhan-Hefei high-speed passenger lines.

ABB’s equipment has also been installed in locomotives and electric multiple unit trains, ensuring high efficiency and reliability.

In 2009, ABB’s railway business in China more than tripled compared with the previous year.

“By 2020, 160,000 km rail lines will be built (60 percent electrified) and high speed railway is a key infrastructure area in China, accounting for 58 percent of China’s total railway investment from 2009 to 2013,” Koch said.

ABB’s smart technology and energy efficiency solutions are widely applied at the ongoing World Expo. ABB has participated in 53 power, transportation and pavilion construction projects at the event.

“Like the Olympics in Beijing, the Shanghai World Expo also provides an opportunity for us to contribute to a green event, and to a low carbon environment through smart technologies and energy efficiency,” said Koch.

“As well as competitive products, the service sector is also ABB’s focus now. That’s the reason why we have restructured our business departments and established the new branch of marketing and customer solutions,” said Koch. “We will spare no efforts to improve our services by providing smart solutions with comprehensive products covering all of ABB’s business units.”

Moreover, “the best integrated solutions can also help our customers to improve their production and business efficiency while contributing to an energy efficient and green society,” added Koch.