ABB helps digital hydropower plant
18/03/2021
The motors at one of Axpo’s hydropower plants in Switzerland have been converted into smart, wirelessly monitored devices thanks to ABB Ability™ Smart Sensors and ABB Ability condition monitoring systems.As Switzerland’s largest producer of renewable energy, Axpo said that it is taking a modern approach to the way energy is created and delivered. Its Hydro 4.0 initiative is a pilot project designed to create the country’s first digital hydropower plant. Located in Sarganserland, Axpo is in the midst of digitising many of the plant’s traditional operations to increase efficiency and minimise downtime.
In partnership with Hewlett Packard Enterprise, ABB worked with Axpo to install ABB Ability Smart Sensors on its motors to capture valuable maintenance and performance data from the plant’s rotating equipment. Through the ABB Ability condition monitoring digital solution, accurate real-time information about the condition of the motors is delivered. The sensors enable Axpo to deploy condition monitoring across the plant so that engineers can discover anomalies, anticipate maintenance needs and gain real-time insight into operations. Data points are continually monitored to provide the exact status of the different pieces of equipment, resulting in much more efficient maintenance without incurring higher risks of unpredicted failure.
With increased efficiency in its plant, Axpo has said it is better able to provide sustainable power for its customers.
