Electricity and Control December 2024

ENERGY MANAGEMENT + THE INDUSTRIAL ENVIRONMENT : PRODUCTS + SERVICES

Making a difference in energy security

energy transition journey.” Kikonyogo highlights an exam

Although industry and society today are still, to a large extent, dependent on fossil-fuelled power generation, the push towards carbon reduction and meeting the commitments initiated with the Paris Agreement adopt ed at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP21) on 12 December 2015, are shifting the focus to increasing use of renewable energy and improving energy efficien cy to minimise climate change. The effects of the climate crisis, felt globally, impact Africa hard, the second largest continent on our planet and home to more than a billion people, around 20% of the world’s population. The continent is also rich in re newable energy resources which, with investment, can serve a rising demand for electricity, help mitigate cli mate impacts, and support sustainability. As industries are increasingly adopting renewable energy, ensuring a stable, affordable, and uninterrupted electricity supply is equally important to securing Africa’s energy sector. Edith Kikonyogo, Local Division Manager, Southern Africa Cluster, ABB Process Automation, Energy Industries, says ABB’s Energy Industries division is making a difference in helping industries across Africa automate, digitalise, and electrify their operations – to optimise productivity and ensure operational efficiency, and drive sustainability at the same time. Here she outlines some of the work the division is doing and the solutions and technologies it offers. ABB’s integrated automation and digital solutions support customers worldwide in developing new and re newable energy models. enabling energy-efficient and low-carbon operations across diverse industries. Ongo ing projects with customers extend from the oil and gas industry to chemicals, power generation, life sciences, and water industries. “We understand that energy is essential for society to progress, and the entire energy mix, including hydrocar bons, has a role to play. By prioritising the efficient pro duction and processing of resources, with their respon sible use, we can assist industries to reduce emissions, as part of the transition to net zero by 2050. Our experi ence over many years enables us to support customers in Africa and other regions to meet their commitments and maximise the value of their operational investments, reducing carbon emissions, waste, and costs on the

ple of how ABB makes a differ ence in the gas sector. “The tech nology we use for gas pipelines helps suppliers meet the world’s needs, and our analytical equip ment detects leaks, signalling the need for remedial action. We also worked on developing dual-fuel propulsion for liquefied natural gas ships, enabling them to use electric power as they deliver LNG fuel to where it’s needed. “Some of our customers on the African continent struggle with delivering an uninterrupted energy supply due to various factors. ABB’s expertise in integrating power and process automation helps to stabilise energy supply, particularly when incorporating renewables. The ABB Ability™ 800xA ® distributed control system plays a central role in ensuring a secure, stable, and affordable energy supply for industries. “Another solution that enables the balancing of energy demand with availability is the ABB Ability™ OPTIMAX ® energy management system. It provides operators with insights on energy consumption and consolidates data from various sources. When customers consider new energy projects, minimising risk and optimising expenditure are essential. With ABB’s Adaptive Execution™ methodology, the traditional project approach evolves to deliver results faster and with CAPEX savings of up to 40%.” As new energy projects are built, reducing energy demand to increase availability remains key. Kikonyogo says ABB’s digital solutions deliver performance insights and enable industries to optimise energy use. These solutions include asset condition monitoring, asset health and management, predictive maintenance, energy management, simulation, virtual commissioning, remote support, and collaborative operations. “In sub-Saharan Africa, we have an established foot print backed by our skills, customer focus, products, and solutions. Whether customers are looking at new energy sources or struggling with older power generation tech nologies, we can work with them to make a difference in progressing to a net zero future.” Edith Kikonyogo, ABB Process Automation, Energy Industries.

For more information visit: go.abb/processautomation

Africa is rich in renewable energy resources which, with investment, can extend energy access and help meet the growing demand for electricity.

DECEMBER 2024 Electricity + Control

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