Que: What are the key pillars of a sustainable and resilient renewable energy ecosystem?

Ans: Building a sustainable and resilient renewable energy ecosystem goes beyond adding solar panels or wind farms. It requires ensuring energy is available, stable, diverse, and intelligently managed. Availability and reliability are foundational. Renewable sources like wind and solar are inherently variable, making robust storage and flexible generation essential to ensure energy is there when needed. Battery systems, pumped storage, and smart grid controls help transform variability into a dependable supply.

Grid stability is equally critical. As renewables increase, maintaining voltage and frequency stability becomes vital. Technologies like synchronous condensers, hybrid STATCOMs, and grid-forming inverters ensure the grid remains resilient while accommodating more clean energy. A diverse energy mix further strengthens resilience. Combining solar, wind, hydro, and bioenergy with advanced forecasting and microgrids enables smoother demand management and localised reliability, even during broader grid challenges.

And, digitalisation ties it all together. Real-time data, predictive analytics, and advanced monitoring allow renewable assets to operate efficiently and sustainably while balancing supply and demand dynamically. At ABB, we see how these elements – availability, stability, diversity, and digitalisation – can transform the promise of renewables into a reliable reality. This integrated approach ensures industries and communities can confidently pursue decarbonisation while keeping energy dependable, affordable, and sustainable for the future.<br />

Que: How does ABB support evolving grid stability in industry, infrastructure, and utilities?

Ans: ABB supports grid stability through a portfolio of advanced power and automation technologies tailored for industry, infrastructure, and utilities.

For grid operators, ABB’s synchronous condensers provide inertia and short-circuit power, stabilising grids as fossil-based plants gradually get phased out. They help manage reactive power, voltage stability, and frequency regulation, especially in grids with a high share of renewables.

In wind power, ABB’s wind converters and high-performance drive systems ensure smooth energy integration into the grid, supporting frequency and voltage control even during variable wind conditions.

In pumped storage power plants (PSPP), ABB’s Load Commutated Inverter (LCI) systems enable efficient, flexible operation during pumping and generation modes, supporting peak load management and grid balancing.

Beyond these technologies, ABB’s digital solutions help customers monitor, control, and optimise power flows, ensuring stable operations under fluctuating renewable generation.

Que: What technological advancements are driving the shift towards renewable energy sources?

Ans: The transition to renewables is being propelled by advances in generation capacity, storage innovation, power conversion, and digital systems. The pace and scale at which renewables are transforming global energy systems is unprecedented, driven by a blend of technological leaps and policy intervention.

On the generation side, we now see megawatt-scale solar parks and wind farms delivering utility-grade power. Individual wind turbine capacity is steadily increasing, with turbines today easily surpassing 15 MW offshore.

Storage and conversion are evolving in parallel. Green hydrogen is emerging as a practical way to store surplus renewable electricity at scale and decarbonise sectors where electrification alone falls short. We’re also seeing bioenergy, advanced biofuels like ethanol, and new bio-based pathways adding depth to the energy mix.

Digitalisation ties this all together. Modern energy systems rely heavily on real-time data to forecast generation, balance loads, manage costs, and trade energy smartly. ABB’s digital platforms for drives, motors, and grid integration give customers the insight to run assets at peak efficiency, ultimately making renewable power more competitive and reliable.

Que: How viable is green hydrogen as a practical energy solution in real-world applications?

Ans: Green hydrogen is slowly but steadily transitioning from pilot to practical deployment, supported by government incentives and falling renewable energy costs.

Globally, we see live projects in the marine, refining, and transport sectors where green hydrogen is emerging as a viable fuel, particularly in regions with abundant renewable resources. The demand for green hydrogen is increasing, driven by decarbonisation goals in hard-to-abate industries.

Technologically, electrolysis systems are evolving, and costs are gradually decreasing. However, as the transportation and storage challenges remain, the generation of Hydrogen at the point of consumption is becoming widely acceptable. To maximise the positive impact that Hydrogen can bring as a fuel to the decarbonisation initiatives, it would need targeted investments in pipelines or other transportation means for H2 carriers like ammonia.

Que: What role does ABB see green hydrogen playing in the decarbonisation of hard-to-abate sectors?

Ans: Green hydrogen is set to play a critical role in decarbonising hard-to-abate sectors like steel and cement.
In steel, green hydrogen can replace methane or coal in direct reduction processes, producing green steel with significantly lower emissions. In cement, hydrogen can be used for high-temperature heat and in synthetic fuel production for clinker alternatives.

Green hydrogen will not entirely replace all fossil-based processes overnight, but as technology matures and policies evolve, it will become a cornerstone for reducing emissions in sectors that are otherwise challenging to decarbonise.

ABB is actively working on solutions that enable a reliable electricity supply for green hydrogen production and automation systems for hydrogen plants, positioning itself as a technology enabler in the decarbonisation journey. This is also being complemented by initiatives related to electrical heating applications, replacing fossil fuels.

Our portfolio includes advanced drives, converters, and digital automation systems that ensure electrolysers operate with precision and efficiency, even when powered by variable renewable sources like wind or solar. This capability allows us to support clients in scaling green hydrogen safely and cost-effectively while aligning with broader energy transition goals.