ABB launches High-voltage products to reduce transmission losses on solar plants

ABB has launched a selection of Fusegear with 800V AC ratings to support the higher voltage architectures in solar power plants. The InLine II, EasyLine XLP and SlimLine XR Fusegear ranges now offer solutions for applications such as solar AC combiners where 800V is used to reduce power losses.

Giampiero Frisio, head of ABB’s Smart Power business line, said: “ABB innovations enable industries to evolve. The addition of these 800V AC Fusegear to our portfolio maintains ABB’s technological leadership and supports the growth of an important trend in renewables. ABB’s 800V AC Fusegear solutions will help new solar power plants introducing string inverter architectures to lower overall system costs.”

The use of string inverters for large photovoltaic systems with 20MW or less of installed power is set to increase. Operating at higher voltages reduces the transmission losses and cabling costs of these plants, while limiting the impact of any faults, reducing downtime and maximizing productivity. Higher voltage ratings will also mean fewer DC combiner boxes and less wiring complexity.

Inverters with higher power ratings are smaller, lighter and easier to handle, making installations and replacements manageable for just one or two staff. Higher voltage also helps photovoltaic plants reduce the number of components needed and makes logistics easier. Installation times are shorter and wiring costs are lower, with significant overall savings of up to 20 percent.

ABB’s 800V AC rated Fusegear have AC-22B utilization categories with a rated operational current of up to 400A. The fuses are designed to provide short circuit protection up to 50 kA.

The InLine II range of vertical fuse switch disconnectors is typically used in cable distribution cabinets and on the low voltage side of small secondary substations, in solar applications they find their place preferably in AC combiner boxes. The new devices now available are:

• InLine II ZLBM3 and ZHBM3, rated for 400A, short circuit protection up to 50kA,
• Inline II ZLBM1 and ZHBM1, rated for 160A, short circuit protection up to 50kA
• InLine II ZLBM00-100, rated for 63A, short circuit protection up to 30kA

Meanwhile, the new EasyLine XLP00-3P and XLP1-3P Fusegear are suitable for capacitor banks, power distribution panels and in AC combiner boxes. They are rated for 63A and 160A respectively and provide short circuit protection up to 30kA.

Finally, the SlimLine XR range is used in energy distribution, powerplant switchboards and data centers, often as part of ABB’s System Pro E power enclosures. The new XRM1-3P has a rated operational voltage of 800 VAC and a rated operational current of 160A, while providing protection up to 50kA short circuit currents.

At Intersolar 2019, ABB showcased its solutions for the solar power industry which focused on delivering continuous operation, higher reliability and return on investment, enabling customers to take full advantage of savings by adopting 1500VDC and 800VAC technologies.

ABB also highlighted its sun-to-socket solutions on its Exhibition Stand B2.210. Visitors got the opportunity to experience the future of solar energy and take advantage of intelligent control through several digitalization tools to deliver the next generation solar power plant technologies.

ABB is a pioneering technology leader with a comprehensive offering for digital industries. With a history of innovation spanning more than 130 years, ABB is today a leader in digital industries with four customer-focused, globally leading businesses: Electrification, Industrial Auto-mation, Motion, and Robotics & Discrete Automation, supported by its common ABB Ability™ digital platform.

ABB’s market leading Power Grids business will be divested to Hitachi in 2020. ABB oper-ates in more than 100 countries with about 147,000 employees.