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today The customer magazineof ABB in Singapore

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ABB wins eco-office award 07Second eco-office award from the Singapore Environment CouncilManaging the water cycle 10Water challenges and ABB’s solutionsGetting fresh water from the sea 22Variable speed drives for desalination plants

Every drop counts

2 ABB today 3|11 ABB today 3|11

It is with great pleasure that I write to you in my capacity as Region head for ABB in South Asia and Country head for ABB in Singapore, having taken over both positions at the end of 2011. The past few months have been exciting, and I have had the opportunity to meet and to learn from many of our customers and stakeholders both in Singapore and across South Asia.The first months of 2012 have also been exciting for ABB. We reported our 2011 annual results which showed record orders of US$40 billion for the ABB Group. Closer to home, we announced the setting up of a new regional hub in Singapore for data center technology (on page 5), one of only three in the world.

In Singapore, our business volume crossed S$1 billion. For this I want to thank all our customers and to congratulate the ABB Singapore management team and James Foo, my predecessor as Country Manager who has taken up a new assignment in business controlling and is still a part of the ABB team in Singapore.

Our world is going through many changes - rapid urbanization and growth in the developing world, shifts in trade balance, the increasing digitization of the world and

the demand for green technology coupled with the need for basic commodities such as fossil fuels, copper and steel.

ABB has the technology and the reach to support our customers in answering these challenges. For example in supporting offshore wind farms to generate electricity and using our High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) technology to transmit this energy over long distances with minimal loss. Another example is highlighted by our recently announced breakthrough order for DC technology for ships (on page 9) which cuts fuel consumption and emissions by up to 20 percent, while freeing up precious space onboard.

In this issue, many of the articles are focused on a resource that is equated with life – water. This resource is close to ABB and to Singapore. Our technologies have played a significant role in Singapore’s water industry, and ABB has been proud to contribute to Singapore’s lead in water technology. Throughout ABB’s history, we have been driving innovation alongside industrial and economic growth. We are well positioned to take on future challenges in meeting the world’s need for energy and resources.

Content and editorial

Haider RashidCountry President, SingaporeRegion President, South Asia

today 1 |12

ABB today 1 | 12 • Customer magazine from ABB in Singapore • copyright 2012 • MICA (P) 104/12/2011 • E-mail: [email protected] • Editors: Emely Tan, Sally Chye, Joey Chiang • Contributors: Julia Tedy, Matthew Wong, Richard Yue, Angela Wu, and Arup Sen • Production: Pixel Tech • Cover image: Conceptual illustration of a water treatment plant

04 07Channel Partner Recognition DayABB’s annual channel partner day

ABB wins second eco-office awardABB was one of 30 organizations in Singapore to receive the Eco-Office certificate

ABB today 3|11 3ABB today 3|11

Highlights04 Events Channel Partner Recognition day05 Highlights New region hub for data center technology ABBwinssecondeco-officeaward FRIDA gets a red dot

Getting to know ABB10 Cover story: Every drop counts

How can we manage the water life cycle?

Thoughts and views16 Our thoughts

Would electric vehicles be the future?

17 Your viewsWhich alternative fuel would you pick?

Channel partner18 Lim Kim Hai Electric

Interview with Ong Wee Heng, Executive Director and General Manager

Product brief20 Enhanced plant performance ABB ACQ810 Aquamaster 3 ScreenMaster

Tech first22 Getting fresh water from the sea ABB’s variable speed drives for desalination plants

Second take26 The fast track

Trains and ABB27 Flashback

A long tradition in electric railways

Content and editorial

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Every drop countsPopulation growth, rapid urbanization and increases in industrial production all demand for more water. How can we manage this precious resource?

Channel partnerInterview with Ong Wee Heng, Executive Director and General Manager of Lim Kim Hai Electric


Highlights

ABB in Singapore held our annual Channel Partner Recognition day in Qian Xi Res-taurant at Farrer Park, where 48 custom-ers attended the dinner.

During the event, ABB presented several awards to our valued channel partners.

Achiever Award for 2011Lin Wah Engineering Works Pte LtdPrecision Laser Solutions Pte LtdFengSheng Electric Co. Pte LtdITE Electric GroupJoe Li Electrical Industries Pte LtdLian Kok Electric Co.Lim Kim Hai Electric Co. (S) Pte Ltd Mecomb Singapore Ltd

Outstanding AwardGennal Engineering Pte Ltd

Long Service Award (20 years)Lian Kok Electric Co.

New channel partners added include PM Control Systems Pte Ltd, Synergyx Tech-nology Pte Ltd, Joe Li Electrical Industries Pte Ltd and Tendrill Co.

Channel partner recognition day


Highlights

Event calendar

Information on upcoming events is accurate at time of print.

Clean Power Asia 2012

May 14 to 16

Mr Joshi Raghavendra, ABB’s manager for renewable energy, Power Generation business unit, will be speaking on the advanced integrated technology and solutions for solar energy in the Clean Power Asia Conference and Expo 2012. The event is held at Bali International Convention Centre in Indonesia.

SIWW 2012July 1 to 5

Singapore International Water Week (SIWW) is the global platform for water solutions. It brings policymakers, industry leaders, experts and practitioners together to address challenges, showcase technologies, discover opportunities and celebrate achievements in the water world. The event is held at Sands Expo and Convention Center, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore.

ABB will create a regional hub for data center solution development and sup-port in Singapore. This will be ABB’s first regional hub for data center technology in the Asia Pacific market.

The new center complements ABB’s exist-ing operations in Singapore, and will focus on its recently introduced DecathlonTM

suite of software, hardware, and servic-es for data center management. Decath-lon analyzes a variety of data such as IT load patterns, weather forecasts, contract and utility rate data to predict and adjust energy consumption to ensure data cen-ters are more reliable and energy efficient. This new green technology can provide potential energy savings of 10 to 50 per-cent, and is expandable across multiple sites, which can result in savings worth millions of dollars for some enterprises each year.

“Singapore’s thriving internet economy, robust infrastructure, availability of tal-ent, and the country’s business friend-ly environment are some of the reasons ABB chose to invest in Singapore,” com-mented Tobias Becker, Head of the Con-trol Technologies business in the ABB Group, during a recent trip to Asia. “Sin-gapore is already a global data manage-ment hub and holds about 50 percent of South East Asia’s data center capacity. We are confident that basing our regional hub in Singapore will best serve our cus-tomers in Asia Pacific.”

In addition to Decathlon, ABB provides a wide range of products, integrated solu-tions and expertise to ensure that data centers operate with optimum reliability and efficiency. From AC and DC electric distribution systems to enterprise man-agement and grid connections, ABB pro-vides savings in installation, energy, space and maintenance. Customers include data center developers, owners and operators, IT equipment manufacturers, and utilities.

ABB announces new regional hub for data center technology in Singapore

The DecathlonTM Data Center Enterprise Management (DCEM) software analyzes a variety of data such as IT load patterns, weather forecasts, contract and utility rate data to predict and adjust energy consumption to ensure data centers are more reliable and energy efficient.


Highlights

FRIDA gets a red dot3,536 projects from 54 countries were competing for the prestigious “red dot: best of the best” award for outstanding design quality. FRIDA was one of 43 winning projects.

ABB’s design concept for a small parts assembly robot, nicknamed FRIDA (Flexible Robot Industrial Dual Arm), won the prestigious red dot “best of the best” product design award within the workplace category at this year’s awards ceremony in Singapore.

The annual red dot award is a competition for design concepts and prototypes held annually in Singapore. The award is an internation-ally renowned seal of quality, judged by design industry heavyweights.

In case you are wondering, no, FRIDA is not for sale.


Highlights

Celebrating Project Eco-Office’s 10th year of implementation, about 200 people gath-ered at City Square Mall, Singapore’s first eco shopping centre to commemorate the occasion. Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, was present to grace the event.

ABB was one of 30 organizations in Sin-gapore to receive the Eco-Office certifi-cate. The award recognizes businesses for their green office practices.

For ABB in Singapore, some green initia-tives include ensuring our supply chain purchases energy or green label products and recyclable products whenever possible, and centralized recycling bins for paper, plastic and metal, making waste sorting in ABB offices a compulsory effort. Two-sided printing is the default setting for printers to minimize paper use. The air-conditioning is set at between 24 to 25 degrees cel-sius, and energy use is minimized when-ever possible. Condensed water from the air-conditioning system is used to water plants. Motion sensors are installed for lighting, and ABB has also installed sky-

lights in the factory buildings to reduce the number of fluorescent tubes needed. The usage of disposable styrofoam mugs have also been reduced as staff were all given ceramic mugs.

This is the second time ABB has received the certificate, which is awarded every two

years. ABB first received the Eco-Office certificate in 2008.

Project Eco-Office is a joint initiative between the Singapore Environment Coun-cil (SEC) and City Developments Limited (CDL) and was launched on June 5, 2002 to mark World Environment Day.

An eco-friendly office

On right, Chief Financial Officer of ABB in Singapore, Too Tian Chong, receiving the Eco-Office certificate from Dr Vivian Balakrishman, the Minister of Environment and Water Resources.

CEO of ABB Group visits Singapore

CEO of ABB Group, Joseph Hogan, visit-ed ABB in Singapore on February 28. This is his first visit to ABB in Singapore since his appointment as CEO in 2008. During his visit, ABB in Singapore announced the appointment of a region data center tech-nology hub in Singapore for Asia Pacif-ic. Joe also spent some time with Singa-pore’s Economic Development Board and the local management team.

Joe also met the Business Times for an interview.

Top: Joe interacting with managers of ABB in Singapore. Below: Viewing ABB’s Data Center Enterprise Management software demo.


Highlights

ABB won a tender offer in January 2012 to build a network of 200 electric vehicle (EV) fast-charging stations throughout Estonia.

The order from the Estonian government is Europe’s largest EV charging infrastructure contract to date and creates the world’s first fast-charging infrastructure with full nation-wide coverage. The order was booked in the fourth quarter of 2011.

ABB will start deliveries in the second quar-ter of 2012 and plans to have all Terra sys-tems direct current (DC) chargers running by the end of this year. As part of the five-year contract, ABB will also deliver net-work operating support services for the chargers in the field and the backbone IT architecture. ABB won the order together with its partners G4S and NOW! Innova-tions, which provide first-line customer sup-port and payment solutions, respectively.

“This order shows that the rollout of EV charging infrastructure solutions is gain-ing momentum, and complements the recent run of small orders we’ve taken in other European countries from Origi-nal Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in the automotive industry and infrastruc-ture customers,” said Ulrich Spiesshofer, head of ABB’s Discrete Automation and

ABB wins tender for Europe’s largest electric vehicle fast-charging network

Estonia has ordered 200 DC chargers to create the world’s first nationwide fast-charging network for electric vehicles

Motion division. “To be successful, this infrastructure needs to be open to any kind of electric car. Our connectivity solu-tions are designed to support all existing and future connection standards within the same network.”

The growing number of electric vehicles is driving a global market opportunity for charging solutions including sophisticat-ed monitoring systems and software to support the electric grid. ABB’s DC char-gers have been used commercially since May 2010 and reduce charging times from eight hours, using regular alternating cur-rent (AC), to as little as 15 to 30 minutes. “The Estonian government would like to ensure that driving an EV in Estonia is as comfortable and safe as driving any oth-er car,” said Jarmo Tuisk, director of the Innovation and Technology Division at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communi-cations. “The country-wide innovative fast charging network with high quality servic-es from ABB and its partners is essential in accomplishing that task.”

The Estonian government aims to provide fast charging in all urbanized areas with more than 5,000 inhabitants. On main roads they aim to install a fast charger every 50

kilometres, creating the highest concen-tration of DC chargers in Europe, by far. The investments in electric mobility are financed by the Green Investment Scheme funded by the export credit agency KredEx as part of the national government’s plan to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Ear-lier in the year, the Estonian government started providing 507 Mitsubishi i-MiEV electric cars to social workers around the country. In September, ABB already won the order to install AC chargers at munic-ipality offices. In addition, Estonia offers subsidies of up to 50 percent for private EV purchases.

All Terra systems in ABB’s rapidly expand-ing global installed base come with a wide range of connectivity features that help ser-vice operators run their network more effi-ciently through remote maintenance, soft-ware updates and high availability levels. ABB’s connectivity suite is compatible with the Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP) and other commonly used standards for back-office integration, enabling real-time user authentication and authorization.


Highlights

Ventyx completes integration of MincomVentyx, An ABB Company, announced in February 2012 that it has completed the organizational integration of Mincom, a leading global supplier of enterprise asset and work management software, follow-ing the company’s acquisition last year. The newly merged organization brings together three market-leading business-es – Ventyx, Mincom and ABB Network Control – to form a single, cohesive enter-prise solutions organization under ABB.

Jens Birgersson, CEO of Ventyx, says, “The powerful capabilities brought togeth-er in the new Ventyx portfolio will help our customers to effectively address strategic initiatives such as smart grid, e-mobili-ty, mining and logistics, and new legis-lation around safety and cyber security.”

ABB to acquire Thomas & BettsABB and Thomas & Betts Corporation has announced that both board of direc-tors agreed to a transaction in which ABB will acquire Thomas & Betts for $72 per share in cash or approximately $3.9 billion.

The complementary combination of Thomas & Betts’ electrical components and ABB’s low-voltage protection, control and mea-surement products would create a broader low voltage portfolio that can be distrib-uted through Thomas & Betts’ network of more than 6,000 distributor locations and wholesalers in North America, and through ABB’s well established distribution chan-nels in Europe and Asia.

The combined product portfolio and enhanced distribution network will enable ABB to double its addressable market in North America to approximately $24 billion.

ABB completes Newave acquisitionABB announced in February 28 that it has completed the public tender offer for Newave Energy Holding SA (NWEN.S), a Switzerland based leader in uninterrupt-ible power supply (UPS). The transaction, which was announced on December 12, 2011, was valued at CHF 170 million.

The acquisition of Newave advances ABB’s strategy to strengthen its position in the power control and quality market and it facilitates the sale of Newave products and services beyond their traditional markets in Europe through ABB’s worldwide dis-tribution network. ABB plans to integrate Newave in its Discrete Automation and Motion division, with Newave’s headquar-ters in Quartino, Switzerland, to become a main location for ABB’s UPS systems.

ABB has won an order to install the first ever DC-based electric solution for a ves-sel. The Onboard DC Grid will allow ves-sels to cut fuel consumption and emis-sions by up to 20 percent.

ABB will supply the direct current (DC) power grid on board a ship to Myklebust-haug Management.The equipment will allow a new offshore platform support vessel, under construction in Norway, to operate at the highest energy efficiency level to minimize emissions. In traditional electri-cal propulsion vessels, multiple DC con-nections are made from an alternating cur-rent (AC) circuit, accounting for more than 80 percent of electrical power consump-tion. A key advantage of ABB’s Onboard DC Grid is that the ship’s engines no lon-ger have to run at a fixed speed, so the engine’s speed can be adjusted to optimize

Breakthrough order for DC technology

fuel consumption. By eliminating the need for bulky transformers and switchboards, the footprint and weight of the electrical system can be reduced by up to 30 per-cent, leaving more space on the vessels for passengers or cargo.

The Onboard DC Grid provides a highly efficient power distribution system that allows a wide range of sea-faring vessels to cut their fuel consumption as well as incorporate DC energy sources such as solar panels and fuel cells.


Getting to know ABB

Every drop countsAccording to the UN, collecting water is expected to be increasingly burdensome with climate change. With glaciers melting, sea levels rising, and rainfall becoming more erratic, a third of the world’s population who live within 60 miles of the coastline will be hit especially hard as they are most susceptible to increased salinity of coastal potable water sources. Population growth, rapid urbanization and increases in industrial production all demand for more water. How can we manage this precious resource?


Getting to know ABB


Getting to know ABB

Managing the water cycleOn average, 140 liters of water is used to produce a cup of coffee. We need more water than we imagine, and while the world may not be running out of water, water is not always where we need it.

W ater needs to be managed carefully. Since 1950, the need for water has tre-bled. According to UNEP’s

Global Enivronment Outlook, demand for freshwater is expected to increase by 50 percent by 2025 in developing countries, and 18 percent in developed countries. More than half of the regions studied in the UN’s world water assessment pro-gram currently suffer moderate or severe water shortages. Water use now exceeds annual average replenishment in parts of West and South Asia, North China and North America.

Following current demand trends, the UN predicts that by 2025 nearly 2 billion people will suffer absolute water scarci-ty, and two-thirds of the world’s popula-tion will experience water stress as they try to balance the competing demands of agriculture, industry, domestic use, ener-gy and the environment.

Fresh water keeps us alive, so you would expect this resource to be very carefully managed. Yet in many parts of the world a staggering 30 to 40 percent of the water supply is simply lost due to leaky pipes, breached canals and illegal tapping. Pollu-

tion of our water from runoff and industrial discharge is also threatening this essential resource, while melting glaciers threaten to remove a system of natural water storage for millions of people, according to Achim Steiner, head of the United Nations Envi-ronment Programme.

How can we manage water? In many populated areas, exploitation and contamination have transformed pota-ble water into a chemical cocktail unsuitable for human consumption or use. Inefficient transportation and distribution systems also contribute to poor water access and increased water loss.

To make every drop of water count, we need to look into managing the water cycle and find ways of increasing the per-formance of water plants and networks. On the supply side, in order for process-es like water treatment and desalination to be viable, energy requirements must be cost effective, and processes should consume as little energy as possible. The distribution of water is often accompa-nied by leakages — the energy spent to process and transport water to the point where it is needed is wasted. Instrumen-tation solutions and remote monitoring of

01 The Marina Bay reservoir. Seven high-capacity pumps driven by seven powerful, energy-efficient ABB motors help keep the water level stable and prevent the stored water from spilling over into nearby areas that are prone to flooding.

02 At the Marina Barrage, three ABB alternators supplement the power supply and provide standby power during blackouts.

03 Regular maintenance works are carried out by ABB to ensure that the drainage pumps are always in tip top condition and operating efficiently.

04 Seven powerful 1600KW, 6-pole energy-efficient medium-voltage motors operate the high capacity pumps. One pump can drain an Olympic-sized pool of water in one minute.


Getting to know ABB

© William Cho01

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Getting to know ABB

water flow can help reduce water leakag-es, by supporting maintenance crews with early warnings of developing problems.

On the demand side, according to the World Bank, agriculture accounts for over 70 percent of world water use, with indus-trial use at 22 percent and domestic con-sumption at 8 percent.

In agriculture, the automation of irriga-tion allows farmers to control their crop irrigation any time and anywhere, reduc-ing the number of trips made to fields and hence carbon footprint. Water usage is also decreased when a control system is

An ABB solution for the world’s largest seawater desalination plant in Algeria which is being developed by Hyflux on a DBOO (design, build, own and operate) basis will boost energy efficiency and cut maintenance downtime from weeks to days compared to current industry bench-marks. The desalination plant employs Hyflux’s ultrafiltration pre-treat-ment and reverse osmosis technology to produce potable water from seawater. ABB is supplying a complete electrical solution for the 500,000m3/day capacity desalination plant and a 220 kV outdoor substation that will connect the facility to the Algerian power grid and ensure that the plant receives a reliable supply of electricity without impacting grid stability. The solution includes 33 medium voltage drives that will reduce plant electrical losses significantly. Electrical power consumption is one of the biggest single running costs of desalination, so making the process more energy efficient directly translates into affordable potable water.

Helping to bring drinking water to millions in Algeria

in place, as farmers who have better con-trol over irrigation often reduce their crop’s water consumption. Electricity bills are also reduced with decreased water use, and by moving irrigation times to off-peak hours.

In industry, the major uses of water are for energy transfer processes like heating, cooling or generation of steam to drive tur-bines, and as a reaction medium, a carri-er for product formulation, or for cleaning. Industrial processes are often designed to operate on the availability of cheap and plentiful water. To be both environmen-tally and economically sustainable, water

reuse and recycling should be included in the plant design to withstand future pressures of water cost, and allow more responsible industrial water use. Innova-tive approaches to water treatment, like ABB’s solution to treat high-salinity oily water with lower cost and footprint, has also been adopted by industry to reduce hydrocarbon content in produced water.

ABB in the water industry ABB’s technologies have been sup-porting the demand and supply of water, ensuring we can obtain and use water efficiently while reducing environmental impact.

ABB water-cooled motors and drives power eastern Australia’s first large-scale desalination plant, located on the Gold Coast of Queensland at Tugun. The plant will deliver 125 million liters of potable water a day to an area severely affected by drought. ABB equipment will power and control the reverse osmosis, energy-recovery and booster pumps.

The plant can produce up to 500,000 cubic meters of drinking water a day, enough to meet the daily requirements of about five million people.


Getting to know ABB

ABB in Singapore has been involved in many key water-related projects, like the Singapore District Cooling for the Marina Bay district, the Changi Water Reclamation Plant, the Marina Barrage, the Jurong Membrane Bio-Reactor (MBR) Plant, and the Tem-busu Seawater Intake Desalination Plant. We speak to the region sales and marketing manager in South Asia, Arup Sen, on the water industry in South Asia.

What is the relationship between power and water?

Power and water are inextricably linked in today’s world. In the water sector, a large amount of energy is required to transport, treat and deliv-er water, and water is also required in the power generation process. With increased population, coupled with urbanization and industrialization, demand for power usage increases, which requires more water, which uses more power, and the cycle goes on. If there is a water crisis, you should not be surprised to see a power crisis too.

What are the key challenges of the water industry in South Asia?

From a region perspective, the distribution of available water supply in each country varies a lot. Some countries have more rainfall com-pared to another where dams, wells, reservoirs and canals are built to store or transport them, while others are relatively drier and are dependent on alternative sources such as desali-nation. Currently, we experience physical scarcity of water and also seasonal scarcity does occur in cer-tain parts of the region.

Access to safe drinking water and sanitation is a challenge we have yet to completely overcome across the region. Pure and processed water has high cost and is subsidized in some countries mainly due to high processing and transportation cost.

Poor water resource management and planning cannot maintain a sus-tainable availability of drinking water. Insufficient funding for the water sec-tor affects water quality, as produc-tion capacity cannot be increased through an expansion of existing plants or the building of new plants. The biggest challenges are network losses and availability of pure water at all consumer points, thus generat-ing the need for water transportation from source to destination.

How can we improve water man-agement in this part of the world?

First and foremost, water aware-ness should be raised to people from all levels, from direct consumers to industry stakeholders. The biggest challenge is identification, reduction and control of losses in transporta-tion. A water crisis will concern all individuals, and is not just a prior-ity for the government. Using water responsibly; reduce, reuse, recycle and reclaim wherever possible.

Improving efficiency of water production using the right technol-ogy with more creative innovative solutions could help to tackle water scarcity. The cost of energy for some water production methods could be a hindrance. The correct way of monitoring and measuring the criti-cal parameters also helps to maintain and improve water quality. It is really a balance of what we have and how we can generate more.

Improving water management

Interview

Arup SenVice President, Regional SalesPower Generation, South Asia

For nearly 50 years, ABB has been equip-ping thousands of water plants and net-works, providing products, systems and services in over 100 countries worldwide. ABB provides expertise and solutions for all activities related to the water life cycle, from water intake to re-introduction into the environment. ABB covers all key water processes, like:

− Distribution networksUsing network management solutions for real-time monitoring and control of distrib-uted water systems, including asset man-agement applications.

− Industrial treatment and recyclingProviding electrical and automation prod-ucts, and turnkey projects with an elec-trical and mechanical scope for industrial water, wastewater treatment and re-use/recycling application.

− PumpingProviding electrical and automation prod-ucts up to turnkey projects with electricaland mechanical scope. ABB also supplies advanced drives and motors for energy savings.

− Irrigation networksUsing integrated solutions, from plant auto-mation to hydrant control, to completely managing energy and water resources in agricultural applications. ABB also sup-plies consumption and irrigation programs using wireless control.

− Municipal treatment and recyclingProviding a wide range of products coveringelectrical and automation processes formunicipal water, wastewater treatment andre-use/recycling applications. ABB also provides integrated ICE solutions (Instru-mentation, Control and Electrification), including plant optimization.

− Desalination plantsProviding a wide range of products cov-ering both electrical and automation for RO (Reverse Osmosis), MSF (Multi-Stage Flash) and MED (Multiple-Effect-Distilla-tion) plants, and integrated ICE solutions. ABB’s products are compliant with inter-national standards and are designed and built in accordance with the most advanced environmental compatibility standards.

With a complete portfolio to meet the ris-ing demand for water production, trans-portation, distribution and treatment while using less energy, ABB helps make every drop of water count.


Our thoughts

From the 19th to early 20th cen-tury, the dominant form of loco-motive power was from steam engines. By the early 1900s, die-

sel and electric railways began to replace steam locomotives. Long before global-ization, technical developments in west-ern countries occured in parallel, despite differences in conditions and mentalities. For example, we might have thought countries who have had rich deposits of coal would have preferred using com-bustion engines. Yet, this was not the case, and many innovations occurred al-most simultaneously, and independently.

The electrification of the transportation system started with tramways. For ABB, in 1890, a predecessor of ABB’s busi-ness in Sécheron, Geneva, supplied France’s first electric tramcars to Cler-mont-Ferrand. In 1903, almost simulta-neously yet independently, Maschinen-fabrik Oerlikon (MFO) and BBC (Brown, Boverie & Cie) each initiated a landmark electrification project on the Swiss Fed-eral Railway (SBB) network.

Fast forward a century later, and now, electric railways are the preferred mode of transport for dense urban networks.

Richard YueAssistant Vice PresidentManager for Medium Voltage Drives and Power Electronics Systems Business Unit in Singapore

Getting to know ABB

High-speed rail was made possible with electric powered trains, along with added benefits like the elimination of emissions along the travel path (making underground travel feasible), increased train frequency and reduced noise level.

Today, cities are moving to expand the reach and capacity of their public trans-port networks, of which electric rail is a major component. By 2015, it is esti-mated that 560 cities across the globe will have a population in excess of one million people. This urban expansion will place considerable strain on existing transportation infrastructure.

Would the pressure of rapid urbanization also lead to some changes in private transportation?

Major car makers have already prepared themselves for a future with electric vehicles. Cars that run on electric power are already on the market, like the Chevrolet Volt, Nissan Leaf, Mitsubishi i-MiEV, Daimler, and luxury models like the Tesla Roadster and Fisker Karma. Electric vehicles are also simultaneously being seen by countries worldwide as a sustainable mode of transport. The rate

According to Pike Research, by 2015, the auto industry will have put 3.2 million electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles on the world’s roads.

Would electric vehicles be the future?

of adoption of EVs is also acceler-ating. According to Pike Research (in a study entitled “Plug-in electric vehicles), by 2015 the auto indus-try will have put 3.2 million electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles on the world’s roads.

There are several reasons why elec-tric vehicles are gaining popularity, and one of them could be the fact that we have ready access to elec-tricity in urban areas, and all we need is the correct car and charger. With direct-current fast-charging, it takes about 10 to 15 minutes to charge an EV, adding to the conve-nience of ownership.

Would car transport follow the path public transportation systems like the tram and trains have taken, or would we still be reliant on petro-leum-fueled cars even decades from today? We have no answers either, but at ABB, we are always looking forward to future possibilities.


Getting to know ABB

The world is moving towards cleaner sources of power. While petrol and diesel cars are still very popular, we are curious to know what alternative energy you would pick in place of them. Would it be CNG, electric, hydrogen or hybrid?

If you had to buy a car which is not powered by petroleum, what alternative energy would you pick?

■ Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)■ Hybrid electric■ Electric■ Biofuels (eg. Bioethanol)■ Others■ Sorry, I will always be using petroleum

Your views

In your opinion, what are the main factors that would help you decide which alternative energy vehicle to pick?(Please rate from 1 to 5, with 1 being the most important factor)■ Price of car■ Cost of energy■ Design and performance of the car■ Convenience of refuelling or charging■ Environment friendliness

Responses to the poll are from ABB Today’s email distribution list. If you would like to participate, please subscribe at www.abb.com.sg and select the link “publications”

■Electric12.5%

Biofuels12.5% ■

■Hybrid Electric75%

Price of car Cost of

energy

Design &performance

Convenienceof refuelling or charging Environment

friendliness

(The larger the size of the circle, the more important the factor)


Channel partner

Building a strategic partnershipLim Kim Hai Electric Co (S) Pte Ltd (LKH) is one of ABB’s chan-nel partners and a leading distributor of electrical materials and components in Singapore over the last 50 years.

Contributed by Julia Tedy


Channel partner

From its humble beginnings in 1958 as a provider of elec-trical components to house-holds, LKH had found a niche

to supply its goods to the British army and to the nascent shipyard industry in colonial Singapore. These were the early days of rapid industrialization by the local government and LKH took hold of the opportunity to widen their foothold to provide service to manufacturing industries. Before long, LKH had positioned them-selves as a one stop, comprehensive electrical components supplier to many of the industrial customers. Underpinning all this was the hallmark of service excellence exemplified by the late Mr. Lim Kim Hai which still serves as one of the tenets of LKH’s business today. The business then, as it is now, depended on resourcefulness, a well established distribution network and the strong relationships built with partners, suppliers and customers alike. The Executive Director and General Manager of Lim Kim Hai Electric Co. (S) Pte Ltd, Mr. Ong Wee Heng, joined the company in the 1980s. Today, he over-sees and manages the company whose business has been divided into six major clusters, each serving a major industry. Mr. Ong reveals that by segmenting LKH’s business into six major sectors; Electronics, General Industries, F&B (food & beverage), Pharmaceutical and Oil & Gas (POG), Utility Infrastructure Transportation (UIT), Export & Marine and Commercial Projects; LKH can ded-icate and focus their attention on the targeted businesses. This strategy also means that the people LKH assigns to run these

businesses have a vested interest in the development and growth of that specific cluster.

“Through this structure, there is a heightened motivation to achieve their KPI which is specifically based on sales, gross profit and customer base. The rat-ings given are all linked across the three measurements and LKH staff start to develop a focus, an understanding of customer buying behavior and a service oriented outlook,” said Mr. Ong. “As an established company, we do have very robust processes in place to make sure that our business objectives are met. At the end of the day, how-ever, it is a people’s business. One of our strengths is in the close-knitted LKH culture where everyone comes together with shared goals on a similiar platform. We are also aided by a high staff reten-tion record, providing continuity in expe-rience to our workforce and customers alike,” Mr. Ong added. “In that sense, communication is key to developing our people and our busi-ness,” continued Mr. Ong. “Likewise, communication drives our relationships with our suppliers, channel partners and our customers. In order to under-stand our customer, we need to stay on top of the situation at all times, keep-ing ourselves updated, and keeping our customers updated. Customer manage-ment and development is a very impor-tant emphasis for LKH.” Mr. Ong places a strong emphasis on communication with LKH’s part-ners. “We gain trust when we develop a strong working understanding and relationship with our staff, partners and customers. We must be able to respond quickly to our customers’ needs and, unfailingly, deliver a solution,” said Mr. Ong.

Communication is key to developing our people and our business.

Citing the new growth areas in hous-ing, integrated resorts and commercial buildings, Mr. Ong is optimistic about the future. “Singapore is a unique place to build infrastructure with little or no natural calamities. We are positive about LKH’s continued growth in the years ahead. To do well, we need to foster and embrace change. Nothing stays the same.” Mr. Ong recognizes the strong and valu-able relationship forged with ABB over the years. “I am delighted to note that in recent years, ABB has taken on a more service oriented and focused approach with LKH which bodes well for the future. It’s imperative that as partners we should encourage a more trans-parent and engaging platform to take advantage of the opportunities in the market. Information exchange, product updates and shared market knowledge will position us to better tap the evolving needs out there,” remarked Mr Ong. Indeed, this strong partnership has yielded good results for both companies in 2011. In February 2012, LKH was once again recognized as one of the achievers amongst ABB channel part-ners during the ABB recognition night, a further endorsement of the solid part-nership between ABB and Lim Kim Hai Electric.

Mr Ong Wee Heng, Executive Director and General Manager of Lim Kim Hai Electric Co. (S) Pte Ltd


Product brief

Enhanced plant performanceProducts and solutions for the water life cycle

Making pumps intelligentMoving water around might seem like a rather humdrum, routine task. This is deceptive. Today’s water industry is turning to advanced technology, such as the ABB ACQ810 variable speed drive, to reduce cost of ownership and lessen climate impact.

ABB industrial drive modules, ACQ810, are the ideal choice for water and wastewater applications. Modules are specially designed to meet the needs of squared torque pump control including pre-programmed pump control functions for single and multi-pump systems.

The drives’ pump specific features ensure accurate control of water flow throughout the processing cycle — from raw water, through utilization, to wastewater treatment. The tailor made pump control functions ensuresmooth, disturbance-free operation of water and wastewater processes, maximizing energy efficiency while reducing unnecessary downtime. The drives’ pump-specific functions decrease the life cycle cost of the pumping system, helping to save time and money. Further info: [email protected]

ABB ACQ810 Variable speed drive

Enhanced connectivity and reduced energy consumption for pump applications

Advantages − In-built intelligent functions like pump

flow calculation − Rapid and simple pumping system

start-up − Easy and cost-effective cabinet

assembly


The next generation commercial water flow meter AquaMaster 3TM is a range of high performance electromagnetic flowmeters for the measurement of electrically-conductive fluids and is normally supplied as factory-configured, calibrated systems.

AquaMaster 3 is available in sizes 15 to 600 mm (1/2 to 24 in.) with a reduced-bore construction. Outstanding performance, innovative features and user benefits, coupled with low cost of ownership ensures that AquaMaster 3 is the first choice for district metering, bulk revenue, trunk mains and treatment works applications.

AquaMaster has been designed specifically for the water industry in response to its stringent demands for enhanced metering capability; enabling ever more efficient and cost-effective operation and compliance with increasing legislative requirements.

In addition to high measurement performance, AquaMaster 3 offers totalizer readings via the industry-standard inductive pad reader. Further info: [email protected]

Aquamaster 3Electromagnetic flow meter

The smart solution for remote applications

Advantages − Full range of power supply options for

lowest cost site preparation and energy usage

− Wireless communication via optional built in GSM modem

− Military specification IP68 plug and socket connections

Product brief

Versatile recording anywhereABB’s ScreenMaster range of paperless recorders is widelyused on effluent monitoring systems. They measure anddisplay the process signals and store them in a securetamper proof format. Advanced features allow for remoteviewing using a webserver or sending emails if an alarmcondition occurs. Once recorded, the data can be transferredto remote servers where a long term data storage procedurecan be implemented. Using the ABB DataManager softwareanalysis tool, the original data can be verified as intact andcan be analyzed on a PC.

All ScreenMaster models have a protection rating of NEMA 4X& IP66. This enables them to be installed, without additionalprotection, in harsh applications where water or high levels ofdust or grime may be present. Further info: [email protected]

ScreenMaster Videographic recorders

Enabling security and easy data retrieval

Advantages − Multichannel process measurement − Flow totalization − Secure data storage − Remote monitoring − Offline data analysis


“Water, water everywhere, nor any drop to drink”. How an ancient mariner would have marveled at today’s technology that can extract the cleanest of drinking water from the briniest of seawater through the wonders of desalination. Overall though, electricity is still the key cost component of desalinated water and depending on the desalination technology used, it can represent more than 30 percent of the operational costs. As a result, energy

Tech first

Contributed by Matthew Wong

Getting fresh water from the seaABB’s variable speed drives turn the wheels of desalination technology

efficiency and life cycle cost optimization are among the most important challenges for both developers and plant owners. ABB offers a comprehensive range of advanced technology for the desalination industry which enhances plant performance, efficiency and reliability. A prominent member of this range which is very suitable for use in desalination is the variable speed drive.


Tech first

Although water covers over 70 percent of the earth’s surface, 97.5 percent of it is sea water. Whilst much of the remaining 2.5 percent of fresh water is unobtainable, demand for it is increasing daily, driven by a complex combination of geophys-ical, geopolitical and demographic fac-tors. The logical place to look, then, for new water supplies is to our oceans and seas. Desalination technology can unlock the almost unlimited abundance of water available there by removing salts and oth-er minerals to make the water suitable for human use.

Currently, the most popular desalination methods are thermal and membrane desal-ination. The former principally uses multi-stage flash (MSF) and multiple-effect dis-tillation (MED) methods, and the latter, reverse osmosis (RO). The cost of trans-forming sea water into fresh water is one of the main factors in deciding which method to use, but these three common desali-nation methods are still all considered to be energy intensive.

Different technologies have been commer-cialized for desalination. For example, for-

ward osmosis, which is also an osmotic process using a membrane to separate the dissolved solutes from the water; and the Passarell process which uses a vac-uum to enable the sea water to vaporize at a lower temperature. Other desalina-tion methodologies such as geothermal desalination, nanotube membrane desal-ination, biomimetic membranes, and low-temperature thermal desalination (LTTD) are in the development phase.

Reverse osmosis When a power station is near the desali-nation plant, either MSF or MED is usual-ly used, as these methods can utilize the thermal energy produced by the power sta-tion. Occasionally, hybrid designs which combine two or more desalination meth-ods will be adopted. In the absence of a convenient power plant, the lower-energy RO is usually the preferred choice.

In normal osmosis, the solvent natural-ly moves from an area of low solute con-centration through a membrane to an area of high solute concentration. This natu-ral tendency to equalize solute concen-trations on each side of the membrane

generates osmotic pressure. Applying an external pressure to reverse the natu-ral flow of pure solvent is reverse osmo-sis. For drinking water, the pressure forc-es only the water molecules through the membrane, resulting in clean water on the other side. Different pressures are applied depending on which dissolved contami-nants are present.

Membrane pressurization and VSDsDuring the RO process startup, a precise-ly-controlled pressurization of the mem-brane system is essential as the mem-brane must be pushed gently but firmly against its support. This ensures no ele-ments are damaged and that the ideal conditions prevail for water production at the correct flow and pressure.

Since variable pressure needs to be -applied for both startup and produc-tion, a direct-on-line starter can be used to start the pumps and run the motor at full speed. Then, by throttling a valve, the required water pressure can be achieved. This method serves the purpose but it creates mechanical stress, such as vibra-tion and hammering on the pipeline and

Electricity is still the key cost component of desalinated water. Because the pumppower required varies with the cube of the speed, even a small reduction in speed can make a big difference in energy use.


Tech first

valves, and wastes energy.

It is far better to use a variable speed drive (VSD).

With a VSD, instead of using a valve to control flow or pressure, the motor speed itself can simply be adjusted to achieve the desired output flow or pump pressure.

As the pump power required varies with the cube of the speed, even a small reduc-tion in speed can make a big difference in energy use.

Using VSDs will not only help to save energy and enhance reliability through reduced mechanical stress, but will also improve process performance: a VSD is able to match the pump output flow or pressure directly to the process require-ments, and small variations can also be corrected more rapidly by a VSD com-pared to other control means.

Stopping harmonicsWhile the VSD helps to save energy and improve reliability and control, precau-tions must be taken against the harmon-ics it can generate. Harmonics will cause distortion of the electrical waveform and, if left unmanaged, can cause problems such as overheating of cables, motors and transformers; disrupting electronic displays and light flickering; and nuisance tripping of electrical protection devices. One way to solve the harmonics issue is to connect an active harmonics filter (AHF) to where the major harmonics occur. ABB’s AHF solution uses the power quality filter (PQF) which monitors the line current in real time and processes the measured harmonics as digital signals in a high-speed multi-DSP (digital signal processor). The multi-DSP, in turn, drives IGBT power modules with pulse width modulated (PWM) sig-nals, causing them to inject currents of exactly opposite phase to the harmonics into the components involved, thus elim-inating that order of harmonics.

Lower costThe motor driving the pump can be either low voltage (LV) or medium voltage (MV) depending on the pump power rating. The latest member of the MV VSD family, the ACS2000, lowers the cost of ownership as it is not necessary to use an expensive and specialized transformer at the input of the MV VSD to lower the harmonics

generated by the VSD. The active front end (AFE) design of the ACS2000 elimi-nates the need for such a special phase-shift transformer.

When it comes to operation and mainte-nance, the ACS2000 has excellent availabil-ity and reliability due to its low parts count and, thus, extended mean time between failures (MTBF). With its modular design, it also has an impressive mean time to repair (MTTR) as its drawer design con-cept enables quick component replace-ment and thus minimizes downtime.

For the low-voltage VSD, the low harmon-ics drive family offers a unique harmon-ics solution that is incorporated into the drive and that fulfils harmonics require-ments without external filtering devices or multi-pulse transformer arrangements.

Power factorDuring operation, the pump motor will generate reactive power that can cause an undesirable drop in the electrical pow-er factor. A capacitor bank is usually used to correct for such a drop. However, a VSD already has an internal capacitor bank and this may be exploited to elimi-nate power factor drops or to reduce the size of the external capacitor bank that is required to do so.

Membrane maintenance Pushing the solution through the mem-brane is the most energy-hungry activity in a reverse osmosis desalination plant. One of the factors which affect the pres-sure, and therefore the energy required to accomplish this, is the cleanliness of the membrane. When the membrane begins to

Reverse osmosis

Pressure forces water molecules through the membrane, leaving contaminants on the other side to be flushed to drain

The active front end (AFE) design of the ACS2000 eliminates the need for a special phase-shift transformer.


Tech first

foul, more pressure is required to achieve the same production rate, and the pressure is only adjustable within an allowed range. Thus, membrane maintenance is crucial.

Cleaning is generally done by flushing, chemical cleaning or replacement, the appropriate intervals being determined by the degree of membrane fouling. This rate is affected by water temperature, concen-tration, flow rate, recovery rate, etc. Usu-ally, maintenance is carried out at the fixed intervals recommended by the membrane manufacturers or when the pressure drop between feed and reject streams goes out of range. Such regimes can lead to prema-ture cleaning, resulting in overconsumption of chemicals and excess production loss, or belated cleaning, resulting in permanent fouling which may damage the membrane.

ABB’s Optimax Membrane Performance module, which won the “Water/Ener-gy Nexus” award at the H2O Water Awards 2010, can help to overcome the drawbacks of current approaches. One module of the Optimax Membrane Performance Monitoring displays the membrane performance, factoring in the hydro-dynamics of membrane fouling, and pro-vides advice for maintenance measures and recommended due dates so that the intervention can be planned and produc-tion disruption minimized. It also provides information as to how successful the clean-ing was.

The other module of the Optimax is Membrane Optimization, which uses the results from the Performance Monitor-ing module as a basis to calculate the optimal operational conditions given the operational and physical constraints. As the fouling rate dynamics depend on the operational set-points such as feed flow and feed pressure, these are also factored in to the calculation so as to -increase productivity levels as well as to optimize the fouling rate. The optimi-zation can be run regularly and can be implemented for open-loop or closed-loop operation. By applying the optimiza-tion function, it is possible to reduce the gap between the actual and optimal set-points; productivity increases of two per-cent are achievable.

Increased productivity is not the only ben-efit: the when-needed cleaning approach reduces chemical usage and thus opera-tion costs; lowering the risk of membrane

damage, minimizes unbudgeted membrane replacement; and maintenance outages can be better planned, thus increasing plant availability.

The intelligent MCC A large proportion of the equipment in desalination plants is controlled by motor control centers (MCC). To better manage operation and maintenance, operators need more information such as how long units have been operating, what is their operating condition, etc. Traditionally, this extra data required more meters, transmit-ters and devices and, of course, a mass of cables leading to the control room. How-ever, ABB’s MNS iS, the first integrated Low Voltage MCC system, will help solve this. MNS iS is a single integrated MCC system configurable for all possible cus-tomer specifications – from conventional right up to very sophisticated intelligent motor control system requirements. MNS iS makes modifications of control and pro-tection functions possible at any time and at any stage of the complete project life cycle. It provides much-needed flexibility for engineers, system integrators and end users. A very few standard motor starter variants are needed for a complete plant.

The MCC also provides condition moni-toring such as: motor overcurrent; cable and terminal temperatures; MCC drawer reinsertion count which may require per-

forming some drawer maintenance; and so on. All this information facilitates pre-dictive rather than reactive maintenance and helps reduce unplanned downtime.

OutlookOverall, electricity is still the key cost com-ponent of desalinated water and, depend-ing on the chosen desalination technolo-gy, can represent more than 30 percent of the operational costs. As a result, energy efficiency and life cycle cost optimization are among the most important challeng-es for both developers and plant owners. ABB offers advanced technology for the desalination industry with a comprehen-sive range of proven products as well as the technology ownership behind these which allow ABB to play a role in enhanc-ing the plant performance, efficiency and reliability. As a provider of instrumentation, control and electrical (ICE) solutions, ABB is able to provide complete engineered packages with the benefits of a single interface that saves time, reduces cost and manages risk.

As demand for fresh water increases, con-servation and efficient usage are areas where we can maximize the utility of the water we already have. Cheaper and less energy-intense desalination is the key to unlocking the vast reserves of water in our seas and oceans and thus massively expanding the freshwater supply.

Low-voltage variable speed drives installed at site.

ABB today 3|1126 ABB today 1|10

Trains are a beautiful piece of mechanical and electrical engineering. ABB was part of a business that built complete locomotives until 1999, when we sold our stake in Adtranz to Daimler Chrysler. Now, we continue to supply different high-performance components for demanding traction applications, helping to power high-speed rail.

The fast trackSecond take

Transformer manufacturing in ABB Sécheron in SwitzerlandEach transformer for the rail industry is specifically designed in the ABB Sécheron factory. ABB Sécheron was founded in 1879 and has over 130 years experience in the field of transformers. ABB supplies traction transformers for most of the world’s high-speed and very high-speed trains, including Bombardier’s ZEFIRO, which can operate at speeds of up to 380 km/h. An ABB traction transformer was used on the record breaking AGV train thatattained 575 km/h in April 2007.

High-speed Ave train bays at the Madrid rail stationThe above view shows railway roof components. ABB’s product portfolio for high-speed rail networks includes traction substations that feed and distribute power to the lines; static frequency converter stations that convert the power to the correct current and frequency; power quality systems that protect the network and the surrounding grid from voltage disturbance; network management and SCADA systems that monitor and control the rail and power distribution networks; and high-end expertise like system analysis and dynamic traction power supply simulations.

27ABB today 3|11

Second take

A long tradition in electric railways

Flashback

It is a little known fact that it was Charles Brown Sr. (1827–1905), whose name lives on as one of the B’s in ABB, who founded SLM (Swiss Locomotive and Machine Works). SLM produced steam and mountain railway locomotives, and for many decades, was supplying the mechanical parts (ie, body, frame and running gear) of practically all Swiss electric locomotives. In the photo above, ABB (then Brown, Boveri & Cie) was one of the first pioneering companies in railway technology, and had built Europe´s first standard-gauge locomotive for the Burgdorf-Thun line in the Swiss canton of Bern. It ran from 1899 until 1933.

today - abb group · today. the customer magazine ... to home, we announced the setting up of ......

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