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ABB e-mobility business recognized as one of Europe’s ‘Cleantech Companies of the Decade’

May 22, 2014 in Electric Vehicles, EV charging, EV News

Award acknowledges the importance of investment in emerging clean technologies

Photo courtesy of ABB

Photo courtesy of ABB

Zurich, Switzerland – ABB, the leading power and automation group, announced today (5-21-14) its electrical vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure business was named by Cleantech Group (CTG), developer of the i3 market intelligence platform, as one of CTG’s five picks as a European Cleantech Company of the Decade.

ABB’s EV technology has been successfully deployed already in Europe, North America, Africa, and Asia, where it’s creating the infrastructure necessary to support growing demand for emissions-free vehicles around the world.

“ABB stands for power and productivity for a better world. Technology innovation is part of the fabric of ABB, and we are especially honored to receive this recognition,” said Ulrich Spiesshofer, CEO of ABB. “The growing need for sustainable transportation will continue pushing technology frontiers, this is a fundamental part of the innovation process. This is why such clean tech investments are an integral part of ABB’s growth strategy, allowing us to expand into attractive markets such as e-mobility and solar.”

This one-off award was made in connection with the 10th anniversary Cleantech Forum Europe, held in Stockholm this year. The award was made in Stockholm’s City Hall, the venue of the annual Nobel Prize ceremony.

“The ABB and Epyon case was picked to represent the copy-book venture story,” explained Richard Youngman, Managing Director Europe & Asia, CTG. “The company was a university spin-out in 2006, raised a couple of venture rounds in 2008 and 2010, and was sold to a major multi-national corporation, namely ABB, in 2011. The company is still thriving as a product group, with the same team, leveraging ABB’s international presence to take its fast-charging technology to the future markets of EV—China, for example.”

In July 2011, ABB announced it had acquired Epyon B.V., an early leader in EV-charging infrastructure solutions that focused on DC fast charging stations and charging network software. Epyon was founded in 2005, headquartered in the Netherlands and had around 50 staff worldwide at the time of the transaction.

Today, the Epyon portfolio is part of ABB’s Discrete Automation and Motion division and includes a range of EV solutions for all charging standards, remote and connectivity services for network providers and a variety of installation, training and maintenance services.

In February 2014, ABB announced a strategic collaboration with Shenzhen BYD Daimler New Technology Co., Ltd. to supply direct current fast chargers over the next six years for DENZA, helping China to become the global leader for EV fast charging.

The Cleantech Companies of the Decade awards are part of a celebration of the 10-year anniversary of the European Cleantech Forum, an annual collaborative gathering of the clean technology innovation community including entrepreneurs, corporations, investors and government leaders.

ABB (www.abb.com) is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry customers to improve their performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in around 100 countries and employs about 150,000 people.

Cleantech Group (www.cleantech.com) helps clients accelerate sustainable innovation. The company’s i3 market intelligence platform, which tracks over $7 billion of deal flow annually across 23,000+ cleantech companies, allows subscribers to find, vet, and connect with entrepreneurs—efficiently building an innovation pipeline. Cleantech Forums bring the i3 platform to life by convening thought leaders and innovators around diverse themes in innovation. CTG’s Advisory Services leverage expertise in designing and executing corporate strategies for sustainable growth and innovation sourcing.

This article is a repost (5-21-14), credit: ABB.

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ABB and Solar Impulse form technology alliance

April 6, 2014 in Electric Plane, Electric Vehicles, EV enthusiast, EV News, Solar

Solar Impulse / Golden Gate Bridge Copyright Solar Impulse Photo courtesy of Solar Impulse

Solar Impulse / Golden Gate Bridge
Copyright Solar Impulse
Photo courtesy of Solar Impulse

ABB’s heritage of technology innovation in renewables, sustainable transportation and energy efficiency makes it an ideal partner for Solar Impulse, which is attempting the first round-the-world flight powered by the sun

Zurich, Switzerland, April 6, 2014 – ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, announced today it will support Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg in their attempt to fly around the world in a solar powered airplane in 2015.

The first-ever flight through the night with a solar airplane as well as record-breaking missions across Europe, the Mediterranean Sea and the United States brought worldwide attention to Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg with their Solar Impulse endeavor, demonstrating the enormous potential of clean technologies and showing how a pioneering spirit can achieve the impossible.

Now the Solar Impulse team is preparing for the ultimate technological challenge: to circumnavigate the globe in a plane powered only by the sun’s energy. On April 9, the team will unveil a new airplane, which will be used to attempt the round-the-world flight in 2015.

“This partnership brings together two Swiss-based global leaders that are passionate about pushing the boundaries of technology and innovation to achieve a better world,” said ABB CEO Ulrich Spiesshofer. “We believe in Bertrand’s vision, and we are convinced that by pioneering innovative technologies we will be able to decouple economic growth from energy consumption and environmental impact. Today, ABB is a global leader for solutions to enable energy efficiency, sustainable transportation and renewables and like Solar Impulse we are always challenging the boundaries of what is technologically possible.”

“It was my dream to have ABB as technology partner of Solar Impulse,” said Bertrand Piccard, initiator and chairman of Solar Impulse. “We have the same goal of improving the world by using energy more efficiently and conserving natural resources.”

“Solar Impulse and ABB are technology innovators and pioneers,” said Andre Borschberg, Co-Founder and CEO of Solar Impulse. “We both want to motivate people to use clean technologies; ABB and Solar Impulse will work together on key technologies like power electronics for our mutual benefit.”

Switzerland-based ABB is a global leader in renewables, sustainable transportation and energy efficiency. The company is the world’s second-largest supplier of solar inverters and one of the largest suppliers to the wind-power industry. It is also a leader in integrating renewables efficiently and reliably into power grids. The breakthrough innovation of a high-voltage direct current circuit breaker in 2012 will enable the grid of the future. In March 2014, ABB announced that it would be building the world’s largest network of new-generation, fast chargers for electric cars in China. ABB improves energy efficiency across the entire value chain from exploration to consumption. Its installed base of drives for motors alone saved around 400 TWh in electricity in 2013, equivalent to the annual power consumption of 100 million European households.

ABB invested more than $1.5 billion in research and development in 2013 and has 8,500 technologists worldwide.

ABB (www.abb.com) is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry customers to improve performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in around 100 countries and employs about 150,000 people.

About Solar Impulse

Swiss pioneers Bertrand Piccard (Chairman) and André Borschberg (CEO) are the founders, pilots and the driving force behind Solar Impulse, the first airplane that can fly day and night without fuel or polluting emissions. Solar Impulse is a unique adventure that aims to bring emotions back at the heart of scientific exploration, a flying laboratory to find innovative technological solutions for today’s challenges and a vision to inspire each of us to be pioneers in our everyday lives.

This revolutionary carbon fibre airplane has the wingspan of a Boeing 747 (63.4m / 208 ft) and the weight of a small car (1,600kg / 3,527 lb). It is the result of seven years of intense work, calculations, simulations and tests by a team of about 80 people and 100 partners and advisors. A plane so big and light has never been built before. The 12,000 solar cells built into the wing provide four 10HP electric motors with renewable energy. By day the solar cells recharge the 400kg / 881 lb lithium batteries which allow the plane to fly at night.

This article is a repost, credit: Solar Impulse. Video courtesy of Solar Impulse.

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OCPP Forum Welcomes Existing and New Members to Support Open Standard Networks for Charging Electric Vehicles

September 27, 2013 in Electric Vehicles, EV Campaigns, EV charging, EV News

Image courtesy of Open Charge AllianceSAN DIEGO, Sept. 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ – The Open Charge Alliance, a global consortium of public and private electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure leaders with more than 10,000 installations worldwide, today announced its charter and issued a call for new international members. Initially formed as the Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP) Forum, the newly named Open Charge Alliance counts ABB, Eaton, ESB, E-laad, Greenlots and others as existing members and maintains the original mission of the OCPP Forum – to further develop OCPP and related interoperability standards. The Alliance has generated broad industry consensus behind OCPP and will build on that to promote and enable open, flexible EV charging networks for the next wave of EV adoption worldwide. Multiple levels of Open Charge Alliance membership are available; please read more and join us here: www.OpenChargeAlliance.com.

“For the past several years we have promoted the benefits of OCPP in order to make EV networks accessible. In that short amount of time, OCPP has become the accepted protocol in 50 countries and over 10,000 stations,” said Onoph Caron, founding member of the Open Charge Alliance and director of E-laad. “The enduring nature of OCPP—an open protocol with no cost or licensing barriers to adoption—has given it a strong foothold and deep relevance in Europe and other markets.”

The biggest challenge facing the adoption of EVs today is no longer related to “range anxiety,” but rather stems from access limitations to the public charging stations that line our highways, streets and communities. Many of these early stations are accessible only via proprietary, subscription-based networks. Unfortunately, the closed nature of these networks has generated deep frustration for both EV drivers, who expect the same accessibility that they enjoy at the gasoline pump, as well as charge station owners, who as a result of proprietary protocols are locked into a network system that prevents them from making changes as their needs evolve or price points get too high. There is, however, a better way. In many European countries where open standards have been adopted, site owners can mix and match open standards-based charging stations and choose a network provider that meets their business requirements and provides the best charging experience for their EV driver customers.

OCPP 2.0

The Open Charge Alliance will release the next version of OCPP in the coming weeks. OCPP v2.0 features a more efficient, modern transport, while new messages supporting pricing, smart charging, and charging station health and maintenance, including device event notification and statistical reports. OCA is currently developing a process for OCPP v2.0 compliancy and interoperability, in parallel with the last phase of protocol specification.

“If we listen to EV drivers and site hosts in markets like the U.S., which began as closed, proprietary charging networks, we have a clear take away—open and accessible networks are critical for the next wave of EV adoption,” said Brett Hauser, founding member of the Open Charge Alliance and president of Greenlots.  “The success of OCPP in Europe and its growing adoption in North America position it as the de facto platform for the next wave of EV adoption.”

Join the Open Charge Alliance

In response to this challenge, members of the Open Charge Alliance are further developing OCPP to provide a powerful, open and interoperable charge station-to-network communication protocol which supports all the functionality needed by today’s advanced charge management systems. The Open Charge Alliance members represent a broad range of interests in the EV sector including government organizations, utilities, charge point vendors and site operators. Founding members of the Open Charge Alliance are the E-laad foundation (Netherlands), Greenlots (North America), and ESB (Ireland). OCA members see the global benefits of open EV standards:

“The Open Charge Alliance is focused on interoperability standards and is promoting what we believe to be the optimal platform for all global EV stakeholders,” said Joost van Abeelen, Product Manager, Connected Services EV Charging, ABB.

“Eaton’s commitment to providing customers flexible, innovative solutions has made it a global leader in electrical systems. This is a commitment we share with the Open Charge Alliance and what motivated us to become a member,” said John Wirtz, Business Unit Manager, Electrical Transportation Infrastructure, Eaton Corporation. “Leveraging the industry’s de facto open standard protocol, our customers are able to mix and match their choice of chargers, while ensuring they have a robust platform to control and manage their sites.”

“Simply put, OCPP has emerged as the best solution for EVSE management. Since 2011, we have relied on OCPP for the high level of interoperability it ensures between European networks and now all DBT-CEV Charging Points are OCPP compliant. Acting as a catalyst for E-mobility development across Europe, OCPP promises to become the de facto global standard with massive adoption by all players,” said Vienney Devienne, Sales Director, DBT.

About Open Charge Alliance

The Open Charge Alliance (OCA) is a global consortium of public and private electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure leaders that have come together with a single goal in mind: to further the adoption of the Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP). Designed to ensure interoperability standards that will guide open and flexible EV networks worldwide, OCPP is the accepted protocol of choice in 50 countries and over 10,000 charging stations, providing accessibility, compliance and uniform communications between charging stations and management systems. Please join our growing global membership base: www.OpenChargeAlliance.com.

This article is a repost, credit: Open Charge Alliance. Image courtesy of Open Charge Alliance

Tesla Flying High, Electrification Movement

September 25, 2013 in Electric Vehicles, EV News, Model S, Tesla

New Tesla Store  Fremont Factory Store Photo courtesy of Tesla

New Tesla Store
Fremont Factory Store
Photo courtesy of Tesla

Tesla stock (TSLA) hit another new record high today, $186.30 per share. And, yes, TSLA also had a record close, $185.24. As stated previously, some of this recent run may be attributed to Q3 institutional window dressing. Regardless, it is the strong fundamentals in the electrification movement that has TSLA flying high.

At LAX or SFO airport locations, the 85 kWh Model S is now available as a rental at Hertz. Tesla fans can rent a Model S at SFO and take a drive down to the new Tesla Fremont Factory store.

Around the world, clean energy technologies and projects are advancing at an accelerated rate, spurred by a fun competition amongst progressive business and political leaders to advance the world beyond fossil fuels. In the US, Google and Tesla are the leading green business advocates. Google is aiming to be 100% powered by renewable energies, and the company recently agreed to an electrifying purchase of 240 MW from the future Happy Hereford wind farm (Texas). As to Tesla, the company’s Model S and Supercharger technologies are the pinnacle of the electrification movement. Nothing says goodbye to fossil fuels better than an image of a Model S at a free Supercharger station.

First European Supercharger station Photo courtesy of Tesla

First European Supercharger station
Photo courtesy of Tesla

The world is filled with various exhibitions and conferences on clean energy / clean transportation subjects, enabling industry experts to share best practices. These events create more deals and more jobs, leading to a more efficient electric economy and higher global production. ABB, Alstom and Siemens have been standout leaders in Western Europe where the electrification movement is most advanced.

In time (especially as battery technology advances), there will be some interesting city, state and national upgrades to the new electric era. Battery technology is the key. As fast as the electric wiring for streetcars, light rail and trains goes up, it may be coming back down as battery technology improves. In addition, large warehouse structures will eventually dot the landscape, housing large battery storage for renewable energy projects.

BYD has made it very clear that the company wants to be a worldwide leader in electric urban transport with its electric buses (K9) and taxis (E6), as well as lead in battery storage technologies with renewable energies. The company is obviously well positioned to service the monumental clean energy needs of China, but the greening of China will be a grand collaborative scheme. BYD’s efforts to transform Aruba to a zero carbon footprint are a tiny carbon step in respects to China.

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ABB receives CE marking for EV fast-charging multi-standard solutions

September 24, 2013 in Electric Vehicles, EV charging, EV News

 

Terra 53 C  Image courtesy of ABB

Terra 53 C
Image courtesy of ABB

Terra 53 is the industry’s first CCS compatible DC fast charging station to pass independent European compliance testing.

Zurich, Switzerland, September 24, 2013 – ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, today announced that it has received CE marking approval for its 50 kilowatt (kW) Terra 53 CCS DC fast charging station for electric vehicles. The certification demonstrates compliance with the relevant European Union directives for safety.

ABB is the first supplier of CCS DC fast charging solutions to pass CE testing by an independent notified conformity assessment body. ABB’s Terra 53 systems are fully compliant with the requirements of the electromagnetic compatibility and low voltage directives, which were designed to ensure safety of electrical equipment and its users. The Terra 53 will also be available in dual and triple outlet configurations, serving all electric vehicles present on the European roads, supporting CCS, CHAdeMO and AC Type 2, Mode 3.

“To support the rollout of nationwide charging networks in Estonia, Denmark, Northern Ireland, The Netherlands and more to come, we’ve been relentlessly focused on adhering to industry-leading public standards of connectivity, quality and reliability. CE certification by an independent certification body is a clear recognition of our commitment to these principles and demonstrates the robustness and high level of safety of our new and already installed public and private charging stations” said Hans Streng, Senior Vice President and General Manager of ABB’s EV Charging Infrastructure Product Group.

ABB recently participated in BMW and Volkswagen’s Interoperabilty workshops with the Terra 53 and demonstrated successful charging of the next generation of CCS compatible EV’s. Most recently, BMW used ABB’s Terra 53 at the IAA Live-Drive event in Frankfurt to charge the BMWi3.

ABB’s Terra charging stations offer an unparalleled range of connectivity options to help operators run their network more efficiently, including remote monitoring & management and a connectivity platform supporting seamless non-proprietary integration with back-office systems, payment solutions and access management systems. All Terra systems can additionally be supported by ABB’s Network Operations Center (NOC), which provides remote maintenance, software updates and industry-leading equipement and network uptime.

For more information on ABB’s EV infrastructure please visit www.abb.com/evcharging.

ABB (www.abb.com) is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry customers to improve their performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in around 100 countries and employs about 145,000 people.

This article is a repost, credit: ABB Group.

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ABB positions world’s most powerful offshore wind connector in the North Sea

August 26, 2013 in Environment, EV News, Greentech, Wind

DolWin alpha offshore converter station sets new world record for power capacity and voltage level

Photo courtesy of ABB

Photo courtesy of ABB

Zurich, Switzerland, Aug. 26, 2013 – ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, has installed the world’s highest-voltage offshore converter station in the North Sea. Alternating current electricity generated in three wind farms off the coast of Germany will be converted on the platform into high-voltage direct current (HVDC) for transmission to the mainland.

The 320 kilovolts converter station has an 800 megawatt power transmission capacity making it the world’s most powerful installation of its kind.

In a three-day operation, the 9,300 metric tonne platform (topside) including the converter station was transported offshore by barge around 75 km off the German coast. It was then lifted by the world’s largest crane vessel Thialf and positioned on top of the already installed jacket.

“Putting such a huge platform in place is one of the most delicate operations in the delivery of an offshore transmission link, requiring strong cooperation between the many stakeholders involved” said Brice Koch, Head of ABB’s Power Systems division. “This is an important project milestone in the delivery of this HVDC offshore wind connection and we are pleased it went smoothly.”

ABB was awarded the turnkey responsibility for system engineering, design, supply and installation of the offshore wind connection by TenneT, a leading European transmission system operator. The project scope includes the offshore converter station, the sea and land cable systems, and the onshore converter station.The system features the latest generation of ABB power semiconductors, with increased performance that ensures higher availability and lower losses.

The DolWin 1 offshore wind connection is expected to avoid 3 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year by replacing fossil-fuel based generation.

ABB (www.abb.com) is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry customers to improve their performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in around 100 countries and employs about 145,000 people.

This article is a repost, credit: ABB, http://www.abb.us/.

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ABB commissions world’s highest capacity HVDC Light underwater power link

August 14, 2013 in Electric Vehicles, Environment, EV News, Greentech

500 MW HVDC Light interconnection between Ireland and the UK enables leveraging of wind energy and facilitates power flows between the two countries

Image courtesy of ABB

Image courtesy of ABB

Zurich, Switzerland, Aug. 14, 2013 – ABB, the leading power and automation technology group has delivered the East West Interconnector to EirGrid, the Irish transmission system operator. The 500-megawatt (MW) transmission connection is the highest capacity link of its kind, based on voltage source converter (VSC) technology, to go into commercial operation.

The interconnector establishes an important link between the Irish and U.K. grids, enabling cross-border power flows and enhancing grid reliability and security of electricity supplies. The new link also facilitates power trading between the two countries and connects Ireland to the European grid. As Ireland expands its wind power capacity, it can export surplus electricity to the UK, and can import power when required.

A 262 km cable system connects Woodland in County Meath, Ireland and Deeside in north Wales. The cables are equipped with extruded polymeric insulation that provides strength and flexibility to endure the severe conditions of the Irish Sea. HVDC Light’s ‘black start’ capability can help restore power quickly in the event of an outage, without the aid of external energy sources.

“This is yet another example of the growing role of HVDC transmission technology when enabling key emerging trends like integration of renewables and interconnections” said Brice Koch, head of ABB’s Power Systems business. “ABB remains a market leader in this field and we shall continue to push the boundaries of HVDC technology, building on our past legacy.”

ABB pioneered HVDC technology nearly 60 years ago and has been awarded around 90 HVDC projects representing a total installed capacity of more than 95,000 megawatts (MW) – accounting for about half the global installed base. ABB remains at the forefront of HVDC innovation and is uniquely positioned in the industry with in-house manufacturing capability for power semiconductors, converters and high voltage cables, the key components of HVDC systems.

HVDC Light is an evolution of HVDC technology that helps address the needs of long distance underground and subsea transmission. It is increasingly being deployed across a range of applications including integration of renewable energies from land-based and offshore wind farms, mainland power supply to islands and offshore oil and gas platforms, city center in-feeds where space is a major constraint, and interconnections, often across the seas. ABB leads the way in this space, and has delivered 13 of the 14 commissioned HVDC links based on VSC technology.

ABB (www.abb.com) is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry customers to improve their performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in around 100 countries and employs about 145,000 people.

This article is a repost, credit: ABB, http://www.abb.us/. Video courtesy of ABB