• ABB partners with Danish start-up Oktogrid to launch an innovative digital sensor for transformers
• Enables real-time, remote monitoring of transformers, enhancing reliability and sustainability of power supply
• The new digital transformer sensor will be showcased at Enlit Europe 2024

In collaboration with Danish start-up Oktogrid, ABB Electrification Service has introduced an advanced digital solution for monitoring power and distribution transformers. The ABB Ability™ Asset Manager for Transformers (TRAFCOM) empowers industries to upgrade their aging electrical grids, ensuring they can meet growing energy demands with improved efficiency, reliability, and availability.

This cutting-edge sensor is designed for swift and easy installation, requiring no screws or specialized tools. The TRAFCOM sensor can be magnetically attached to a transformer in under 15 minutes, enabling almost instant data transmission to the cloud, thereby significantly reducing maintenance downtimes. It is compatible with any transformer, regardless of type, brand, or age, providing real-time monitoring in a single, unified interface as part of a comprehensive asset management system.

Mahmoud Abdelkhalek, Global Product Manager at ABB Electrification Service, remarked: “Many transformers in electrical networks have gone unmonitored for 15-20 years due to the prohibitive cost and complexity of installing sensor technologies. ABB Ability™ Asset Manager for Transformers overcomes these challenges, offering a simple and cost-effective solution for modernizing the grid.”

TRAFCOM delivers a multi-faceted approach, measuring temperature, humidity, surface temperature, magnetic fields, vibrations, acoustics, and partial electrical discharges. The cloud-based monitoring platform enables users to monitor transformer conditions in real time, identifying potential issues early, preventing failures, and optimizing maintenance schedules.

Abdelkhalek added: “Rising energy demands and the need for more cost-efficient power generation are putting increased pressure on electricity networks. By gaining real-time insights into transformer performance, plant and operations managers can confidently plan and optimize their processes.”

This seamless transition to digitalization brings a host of benefits, including enhanced safety and efficiency for aging equipment, reduced carbon emissions, and increased power performance, stability, and availability.

Golam Sadeghnia, CEO of Oktogrid, said: “As industries intensify their sustainability efforts, they require more advanced measurement tools to guide their decarbonization strategies. Our collaboration with ABB has allowed us to create a solution that closes this transparency gap, making crucial progress towards a sustainable and resilient energy future.”

Beyond the utilities sector, TRAFCOM is equally applicable to industries such as manufacturing, commercial real estate, data centers, and more. ABB customers in Finland and Spain, including one of Europe’s largest hospitals and a major multinational steel company, have already implemented TRAFCOM solutions.

Scheduled for October 22-24, 2024, Enlit Europe is the leading event for sustainable energy, energy transition, and decarbonization in Europe. As a Platinum Partner, ABB will showcase TRAFCOM alongside other energy management solutions at its booth during the event.

ABB (ABBN: SIX Swiss Ex) is a global technology leader in electrification and automation, driving societal transformation towards a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. The company integrates engineering expertise and software to optimize the manufacturing, movement, and powering of operations. With over 130 years of innovation, ABB’s 105,000 employees remain dedicated to accelerating industrial transformation.

ABB Electrification leads the global market in electrical distribution and management, delivering safe, smart, and sustainable solutions. As the demand for electricity continues to rise, our 50,000+ employees in over 100 countries work alongside customers and partners to revolutionize how the world connects, lives, and works. Through innovative products, solutions, and digital technologies, we drive energy efficiency and support the transition to a low-carbon society, shaping a sustainable future on a global scale.

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