Trevor Gregory, ABB UK, Managing Director
In March 2007, the UK Government published its draft Climate Change bill, following the European Union commitment to boosting renewable fuel use by 20 per cent, while reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 20 per cent, all by 2020.
The electricity supply industry must do its bit, and a range of measures are needed, including energy-efficiency measures at all levels of supply and demand. Increased urgency for renewable sources and combined heat, power and cooling (CHPC) is required, as is Research Development and Deployment (RD&D) to take advantage of new technology and applications. ABB’s products, solutions and services can help improve efficiency along the energy chain, from extraction to end-use. Our systems can optimise a power generation plant’s operations. A one per-cent efficiency improvement in a 750MW power station will save 40,000 tonnes of CO2 annually.
In power grids, ABB is enabling more efficient electricity distribution by enhancing the capacity of existing infrastructure with technologies such as FACTS (flexible alternating current transmission systems) and HVDC (high-voltage direct current). For end-users, ABB provides highly energy-efficient motors and drives, along with a complete range of products for protection, control and automation.
As you will read in this issue, ABB is involved in innovative RD&D projects for active network management at the front of the process, while delivering a comprehensive service portfolio at the other end, enabling customers to keep their existing power transmission and distribution infrastructure in peak operating condition, and ensuring that they remain as energyefficient as possible.
ABB is playing a leading role in addressing climate change with innovative technical solutions, energy-efficient products, highly skilled people and excellent service deployment. I believe we can work together to reduce our industry’s impact on the environment.
Trevor Gregory,
ABB UK Managing Director