ABB Group News
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted how we view indoor air quality and HVAC systems. Consequently, HVAC systems have undergone several improvements in the post-pandemic world. Systems today tend to have better filtration, increased ventilation, and advanced air-cleaning technologies, such as UV-C light and bipolar ionization. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: How have HVAC systems improved (including better indoor air quality) in the post-pandemic world?
A new research report from the IoT analyst firm Berg Insight says that annual shipments of wireless devices for industrial automation applications reached 10.7 million units worldwide in 2023, accounting for approximately 9 percent of all new connected nodes. Growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.3 percent, annual shipments are expected to reach 19.1 million by 2028. The installed base of wireless devices in industrial automation reached at the same time 56.5 million in 2023. W...
Achieving net-zero emissions will mitigate climate change and prevent the worst impacts of global warming. Net zero is the state in which the total amount of greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere is equal to the total amount removed. HVAC systems represent a large opportunity to impact how soon we can achieve net zero. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: What is the role of HVAC in achieving net-zero emissions by 2050?
Digitalization is the integration of digital technologies into everyday life. In the context of HVAC, digitalization refers to the use of digital technologies to improve the efficiency, performance, and control of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. Considering that digitalization is a major trend relating to HVAC, we asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: How does the digitalization of HVAC enable adaptation to evolving technologies and newer applications?
Renewable energy is derived from natural sources that are replenished at a higher rate than they are consumed. Examples include sunlight, wind, water, and geothermal heat. The use of renewables provides environmental benefits (such as lower greenhouse gas emissions), economic advantages, sustainability, and better energy security. As a significant consumer of energy, HVAC is well-positioned to promote greater usage of renewable energy sources. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: How can the HV...
A collaboration between ABB and Arkitech has brought significant efficiency gains for the heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system on board MSC Magnifica. Using artificial intelligence and machine learning to analyze data from over 1,500 sensors on the MSC Cruises ship, this technology enables up to 12 percent increase in chiller efficiency to achieve monthly energy savings of 100 MW by the 15-year-old ship, while maintaining optimal air-handling unit performance. energy effici...
Advanced heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) systems have always been essential to healthcare. However, the need for clean, fresh air at the right temperature and humidity within clinical settings has never been made clearer during the COVID-19 pandemic. It illustrated the importance of effective HVACR systems in healthcare due to their ability to improve air quality, patient outcomes, and infection control measures. The need for change Many current...
To support refrigeration OEMs in their green transition, ABB has successfully tested its key refrigeration drives to assure conformity with safety standards, when using the new A2L and A3 refrigerants. This means that surface temperatures in the specified drives – HVACR ACH180 and ACH580, General Purpose ACS580 and Machinery ACS180 – have now been examined and found to be within safe limits, as described in the standard, and no arcs or sparks are produced during operation in normal...
ABB and CERN, the European Laboratory for Particle Physics, have identified significant energy-saving potential through a strategic research partnership focused on the cooling and ventilation system at one of the world’s leading laboratories for particle physics institutes, located in Geneva, Switzerland. The study included energy efficiency audits which have helped to identify a savings potential of 17.4 percent across a fleet of 800 motors. energy consumption roadmap The research, con...
A new report from ABB Motion, entitled 'Circularity: No Time to Waste', reveals that 94 percent of HVAC businesses are feeling the effects of resource scarcity, prompting 69 percent to increase their investment in circularity initiatives within the next three years. scarcest resources Raw materials, energy, and labor are seen as the scarcest resources (all cited by 41 percent, 41 percent, and 38 percent respectively). This resource scarcity has led to increased costs for 38 percent of HVAC bu...
In this article, Ron Heymann, Senior Regional Manager, HVACR at ABB, will explore the crucial role of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) solutions in hospitals, with a particular focus on the use of variable speed drives (VSDs) to improve indoor air quality and energy efficiency. The quality of HVACR systems holds significant implications, specifically within hospitals, as inadequate air quality and the presence of harmonics in electrical distribution networks can...
The AHR Expo (International Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigerating Exposition) released the full schedule for the 2024 AHR Expo Education Program. The program will feature more than 110 free seminars, a robust panel series lineup, new product and technology presentations, professional certifications, and continuing education courses. Education Program “The Education Program has grown into a true complementary asset to the show floor experience,” said Show Manager, Mar...
Peter Van Den Heede, Head of Sales and Marketing, Benelux, ABB Motion, explains how electrification systems are paving the way for sustainable urban landscapes. As the fight against climate change intensifies, the European Union has set crystal clear targets on the path to Net Zero. If we are to meet the EU’s ambitious goals of a 55 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, and complete climate neutrality by 2050, then we need to find ever-smarter ways to save energy.&n...
Two of Finland’s major hydro power plants, located in the freezing Arctic Circle, are now SF6 ‘greenhouse gas’ free, thanks to a turn-key generator circuit breaker retrofit that gears them up for a more resource-efficient future. ABB customer, Kemijoki Oy, is one of the most important players in Finland’s renowned carbon neutral electricity system – responsible for balancing half of the country’s grid output – as well as being the leading provider of hy...
BrainBox AI, a pioneer in autonomous building technology, announced a US$ 20 million fund-raise to support the continued development of BrainBox AI’s cutting-edge decarbonization technology and its global commercialization efforts. The company is pleased to name The Government of Québec as a lead investor for 10 million US dollars, alongside ABB, a returning lead investor and global partner to BrainBox AI. Author's quote “We are grateful for this significant investmen...
Tarkett’s vinyl flooring factory in Ronneby, Sweden, is using ABB data insights and service expertise to save 800 megawatt-hours (MWh) of energy per year from their motor-driven systems. This is around 1 percent of the site’s total energy consumption in a year and is equivalent to the energy needed to charge 68 million smartphones for the same amount of time. ABB Ability™ Digital Powertrain Energy Appraisal solution With the current energy prices, the payback period would be...
ABB’s production hub in Xiamen has become a flagship site for sustainable manufacturing and is paving the way to a clean energy future in China, with its scalable blueprint for success, which uses ground-breaking new energy monitoring systems combined with on-site renewable energy generation and storage for impressive emission and cost reductions. China is aiming to hit peak emissions before 2030 and reach carbon neutrality by 2060. To make this net zero energy transition a reality, colla...
Research shows that businesses around the world remain concerned about the impacts of energy security and prices, which could be a catalyst for a range of environmental, social and economic ripple effects. According to ABB Electrification’s Energy Insights survey of 2,300 leaders from small and large businesses across a range of sectors, 92 percent of respondents feel that the continuing instability of energy is threatening their profitability and competitiveness. Energy costs and insecu...
AGronomic IQ is a globally renowned company that builds all-in-one grow room HVAC systems to deliver precise temperature and humidity control with exceptional energy efficiency. Servicing the commercial cannabis grower industry, the Ottawa-based manufacturer, which also operates from a 150,000-square-foot facility in Montreal, has been a flag-bearer for energy efficiency from the get-go. Agronomic IQ opts for A readily applicable solution When supply chain constraints forced Agronomic IQ to s...
Commercial building facility and energy managers have the option of a powerful new tool to analyze building usage and emissions with the launch of the ABB Ability™ Building Analyzer. The new digital solution provides comprehensive and actionable insights that can deliver cost reductions, improved energy efficiency, time savings, and increased comfort, allowing users to make critical steps on their building decarbonization journey. intuitive and accessible digital tool Beth Ray, Head o...
Buildings are responsible for more than 30 percent of global energy consumption. Fifty percent of the energy demand in buildings currently is accounted for by heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC). Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that these sites are energy efficient. At ISH 2023, the world’s renowned trade fair for water, heat and air conditioning, ABB will showcase modern solutions for automation within smart buildings. These solutions will help to increase the buildings&...
ABB E-mobility has announced the delivery of its one millionth electric vehicle charger, the latest milestone in the company’s ongoing mission to enable an emission-free future through smart and reliable EV charging solutions. ABB E-mobility’s new production facility With a presence in more than 85 markets, the launch of ABB E-mobility’s new $30 million, 16,000m2 production facility in Valdarno, Italy in 2022, completed a doubling of the company’s production capaci...
With businesses around the world facing unprecedented pressure from the cost of energy and the urgency of climate change, a new report from the Energy Efficiency Movement shows that improving industrial energy efficiency is the fastest and most effective way for a business to cut energy costs and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The Energy Efficiency Movement is a global forum of around 200 organizations sharing ideas, best practices and commitments to create a more energy-efficient world. &lsq...
ABB, one of the manufacturers of drives, motors, and controls for HVACR, has become an official BridgeBuilding Contributor (sponsor) of the 2022 Eurovent Summit taking place from 25 to 28 October in Antalya, Türkiye. ABB is a technology pioneer serving industries and infrastructure, including HVACR applications, with world-class drives, motors, controls, and service. Having a global footprint, ABB supports its customers and partners across the world, helping them improve the energy efficie...
Eurovent Innovation/HUB is the flagship event of the 2022 Eurovent Summit in Antalya, Türkiye. It will take place on the night of 26 October. Powered by UL Solutions and J2 Innovations, it will host leading personalities from the HVAC sector. The Eurovent Innovation/HUB, powered by UL Solutions and J2 Innovations, will host speakers giving visionary, non-commercial keynote presentations in a TED-style manner. Event Speakers The event aims to attract architects, consultants, desig...
CERN, one of the particle physics research institutes, and ABB have entered into a partnership to identify how to improve the energy efficiency of cooling and ventilation systems used for lab experiments at its site close to Geneva, Switzerland. The partnership will also act as a blueprint for other energy intensive research institutions that would like to reduce their environmental footprint and improve reliability. The non-commercial project will demonstrate how data insight delivered by the...
The ongoing generation change within Eurovent has brought, among other changes, a major shift in the Board of Directors. The recent changes entered into force during the association’s 66th General Assembly 2022 in Malaga. Following the recent resignation of three members of the Eurovent Board (Bengt Andersson – Lindab, Thomas Schraeder – VDMA, Torsten Sondergaard – FläktGroup), the Eurovent General Assembly filled these functions with newly appointed members...
The global industry is accelerating its investment in energy efficiency in the next five years as the crucial race towards Net Zero intensifies, a new survey commissioned by ABB finds. The Energy Efficiency Investment Survey 2022 comes in the wake of a recent UN report calling for concerted action from countries to cut greenhouse emissions at a faster rate. Investing in energy efficiency measures The global survey conducted by Sapio Research targeted 2,294 companies in 13 countries, ranging in...
Mika Kulju, who until recently was the President of ABB Drive Products division, has been announced as the new President of Danfoss Drives, succeeding Vesa Laisi who will retire from Danfoss after eight years as the President of Danfoss Drives. Vesa Laisi became part of Danfoss’ Executive Team in December 2014 when the global AC drives manufacturer Vacon became part of the Danfoss Group. Today, Danfoss Drives is a pioneer in electrification and variable speed controls of electric motors....
Tero Helpiö, the Global Product Manager - IEC Low Voltage Motors at ABB, explains how IE5 synchronous reluctance motors and variable speed drive packages can improve the energy efficiency of heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems, in order to help cities reach their sustainability targets. HVAC systems worldwide rely on millions of low-voltage (LV) electric motors to run pumps, fans and compressors. However, there is a price to pay, in terms of energy consumption and asso...
