Built for the demands of tomorrow
UNITROL® 8000 is ABB’s new excitation system for power and industrial applications with excitation currents up to 2,000 A, delivering on simple operation, cybersecurity, connected digital insights, and safety by design.
Explore the key benefits
Equipped with real-time monitoring capabilities, digital twin technology, and enabling easy system upgrades, it optimizes performance, improves grid stability, and ensures long-term reliability. UNITROL® 8000 allows for safe and sustainable modernization. Its design also enables easy upgrades from previous UNITROL generations.
Safe and trusted technology
Operate safely and uninterrupted, for the system lifetimeCybersecure
Unprecedented cyber security for maximum protectionRegulatory compliance
Meet grid code compliance and simplify monitoringReal time insights
Real-time intelligence for proactive maintenanceSustainable modernization
Cost-Effective UpgradesExpert Lifetime support
Leading technology supported by ABB expert careDesigned for power and industrial applications
UNITROL 8000 can be the right fit for any power & industrial application matching the requirements of 100 MW and excitation currents up to 2,000 A. Among the ideal applications for UNITROL 8000, we can list small hydropower plants, small industrial co-generation plants and synchronous condensers.
Hydro power
Ensure stable, efficient operation of small hydropower plants with UNITROL® 8000. Reliable excitation control and advanced protection features help maximize energy output, reduce downtime, and ensure compliance with modern grid codes.
Small Industrial co-generation plants
Boost efficiency and reliability in small co-generation plants with UNITROL®
8000. Precise excitation control ensures stable performance under varying
loads, while optimized power factor control secures both energy savings and production continuity.
Synchronous condensers
Strengthen grid stability with UNITROL® 8000 for synchronous condensers. Delivering fast, reliable reactive power support, it helps improve voltage regulation, enhance power quality, and secure long term system resilience.
ABB UNITROL 8000 – Excitation system designed for performance and built for reliability
UNITROL® 8000 in action
UNITROL® 8000 has already been in early adoption by regional company Limmatkraftwerke AG at two hydropower plants near Zurich, Switzerland. These facilities, which supply electricity to thousands of households, have upgraded from late 1980s systems to UNITROL® 8000 to reduce unplanned outages and improve visibility of operations.
“By adopting UNITROL® 8000, we have been able to modernize our plants without major reinvestment while improving operational reliability and simplifying day-to-day operations,” said Michael Kammerlander, Head of Power Plants at Limmatkraftwerke AG. “ABB’s excitation technology has ensured our hydropower facilities have evolved to meet growing demand and gives us confidence that our assets will continue to perform for decades to come.”
Frequently asked questions
UNITROL 8000 is the latest addition to ABB UNITROL® Excitation technology for power and industrial applications up to 100 MW and under 2000 A.
Among the ideal applications for UNITROL 8000, we can list small hydropower plants, small industrial co-generation plants and synchronous condensers, but UNITROL 8000 can be the right fit for any power & industrial application matching the requirements.
UNITROL 8000 is simple, secure, connected and safe.
UNITROL® 8000 is simple, with intuitive tools optimized to ease training for operators and maintenance engineers, powered by advanced digital twin technologies. Troubleshooting is also streamlined through remote access to fault logs and high-speed data recorders.
It is secure, enabling flexible and cyber-secure integration into any control system, with a wide range of connectivity options from traditional protocols like Modbus, Profinet, or IEC 60870-5-104, to modern standards such as IEC 61850 and OPC-UA.
It is connected, offering real-time visibility and predictive intelligence through its digital components, helping to increase uptime and reduce unnecessary maintenance costs.
It is safe, compliant with IEC 61439 and IEC 62477-1 standards to ensure electrical safety and system integrity. It includes redundant safety paths for arc-flash protection and control hardware designed for 75°C ambient, extending system life and minimizing failure risk.
No, UNITROL 8000 is the latest addition to the UNITROL family of excitation technology. UNITROL 6000 technology remains in its active life cycle.
World's leading excitation supplier
ABB is a leading global technology company that energizes the transformation of industry to achieve a more productive, sustainable future. We push the boundaries of technology to drive performance to new levels. We are the world's leading supplier of high quality excitation systems.