ABB and the built environment

ABB is a partner to the buildings sector in its transformation journey, offering a wide-ranging portfolio of technologies to optimize building energy use and reduce emissions in offices, factories, hospitals, retail environments and homes.

From smart building solutions that integrate sensors and data analytics to energy-efficient electrification products, ABB empowers building owners and operators to take a holistic approach to integrating renewables and optimizing energy efficiency. 

"Buildings are a key area for tackling climate change," says Mike Mustapha, president, ABB Smart Buildings. "By embracing smart building technologies, we can transform them from major energy consumers into active contributors to a more sustainable energy landscape."

Renewable energy integration and storage

The traditional reliance on fossil fuels for buildings’ energy must be replaced with cleaner alternatives. Smart buildings pave the way for the integration of renewable energy sources like solar panels, wind turbines and geothermal systems. 

However, these renewable energy sources, while powerful, can be intermittent. To truly leverage their potential, we need solutions for storing excess energy generated during peak production times. This is where microgrids and energy storage systems come into play. ABB's microgrid technology allows buildings to manage their own power generation and consumption, reducing reliance on the traditional grid and minimizing the impact of power outages.  

ABB offers a range of battery storage solutions that capture and store surplus renewable energy, allowing buildings to utilize it during periods of high demand or when renewable energy sources are not actively generating. This not only increases the stability of power supply but also helps integrate renewable energy sources more effectively into the overall energy mix.

Smart energy management and building automation

Energy-smart communities - enabled through partnerships, integrations and open systems.

Many buildings operate blindly when it comes to energy usage. Without clear data on energy flows and consumption patterns, it’s difficult to make informed decisions about optimization. Smart building technology steps in by providing the tools to measure energy use in real-time and take action to enhance efficiency.

ABB’s advanced energy management solutions act as the central nervous system of a smart building. These systems gather data from various sensors throughout the building, including temperature, occupancy, and lighting levels. 

By analyzing sensor data with artificial intelligence (AI) and context-specific algorithms, the solution can then automate various building functions. For example, it can dim lights in unoccupied spaces, adjust heating and cooling based on real-time needs, and optimize ventilation systems, delivering energy savings of as much as 30 percent.

High-efficiency motors and drives

Modern buildings require smart systems that create comfortable, healthy and safe environments for occupants. Air conditioning, water supply, elevators and escalators need electric motors to power their operation. However, these motors are often inefficient, consuming far more energy than necessary and leading to more emissions. 

Replacing outmoded AC motors with ABB high-efficiency versions can significantly reduce the energy consumption of building systems, leading to substantial cost savings and lower emissions. ABB’s variable speed drives (VSDs), intelligent controllers that regulate the speed of electric motors, add to the energy savings by matching the amount of torque supplied by a motor to the actual demands of a building application like a fan or pump.

Traditional power distribution systems can experience significant energy losses during transmission within the building. ABB’s low-voltage switchgear, transformers and cabling solutions ensure safe and reliable power distribution throughout the building. These solutions minimize energy losses due to heat generation within the electical infrastructure itself.

ABB’s power distribution solutions provide granular control over power delivery to allow for the shutdown of electricity to unused areas and minimize standby energy consumption. With upgraded electrical systems, buildings can handle large and fluctuating energy loads like those of home appliances and electric vehicle (EV) chargers.