ABB, a multinational corporation operating mainly in the power and automation technology areas, has recently presented an innovative software solution, which helps utilities and industries to ensure the reliability of critical infrastructure like power transmission grids. This technology supports cost-effective expansion of grids as they evolve to integrate renewable energy sources and new loads such as electric vehicles.
ABB infographic Ventyx Green Generation (Credit: ABB Group). Click to enlarge.
The new Asset Health Center (AHC) solution combines ABB’s power expertise and operational technologies (OT) such as transformers, circuit breakers and batteries installed in substations, with business enterprise IT (information technology) software from Ventyx to enable automation of processes, help manage critical assets more efficiently, prioritize maintenance and repair activities and facilitate a range of other activities to facilitate performance and reliability (ABB infographic Asset Health management).
American Electric Power (AEP) recently announced plans to deploy AHC in all of its transmission substations across the country. American Electric Power is a major investor-owner electric utility in the United States, delivering electricity to more than 5 million customers in 11 states. AEP ranks among the nation’s largest generators of electricity, owning nearly 38,000 megawatts of generating capacity in the U.S. AEP also owns the nation’s largest electricity transmission system, a nearly 39,000-mile (63,000 km) network that includes 765 kilovolt ultra-high voltage transmission lines; more than all other U.S. transmission systems combined.
As growing demands are placed on critical infrastructure, installations are being equipped with complex sensors and communication devices to add intelligence and streamline operations. The data thus gathered helps operators to plan more effectively and contribute to both the reliability and efficiency of the systems they run.
By combining OT with IT applications, large quantities of data from complex and often widely distributed installations can be translated into meaningful advice and trigger automated responses from business and operational systems. The acquisition of Ventyx brought to ABB enterprise software expertise that includes applications for optimization in asset-intensive operations, complementing ABB’s expertise in power and automation technology for utilities and industrial customers.
“Software has become an essential component of the critical infrastructure we rely on in our daily lives, such as power grids and industry,” said Brice Koch, head of ABB’s Power Systems division. “The addition of Ventyx’s enterprise software portfolio enables us to combine the strengths of information and operational technologies to help our customers optimize their assets and enhance business performance.