ABB & Oktogrid's Sustainable Digital Transformer Sensor

As the world transitions to renewable energy sources, electrical grids are under pressure to deliver enhanced performance and reliability.

ABB Electrification Service and Danish startup Oktogrid have developed a pioneering solution for monitoring power transformers. This innovative product, known as the ABB Ability™ Asset Manager for Transformers (TRAFCOM), is set to revolutionise how manufacturing sectors upgrade their electrical grids to accommodate the burgeoning demand for green energy.

TRAFCOM addresses the performance and reliability challenges by offering a next-generation sensor that effectively monitors transformers regardless of their brand, model or age.

Tackling transformer monitoring challenges

TRAFCOM integrates real-time monitoring capabilities into a unified platform, simplifying the complex task of managing transformer assets. The system not only tracks but also aims to boost transformer performance. Its unique feature is the swift transmission of data to the cloud, which minimizes the need for frequent maintenance checks.

Installation of the TRAFCOM sensor is remarkably straightforward, requiring no tools or screws, as it can be attached magnetically to a transformer in just 15 minutes. This ease of installation presents a stark contrast to the traditional processes involved in monitoring electrical network transformers — which are often avoided due to their high costs and complicated setups.

Mahmoud Abdelkhalek, Global Product Manager at ABB Electrification Service, sheds light on this issue: "We know there are many electrical network transformers out there, which have never been monitored in 15-20 years, due to the high costs and complexity of installing sensoring technology." He emphasises that TRAFCOM "overcomes these barriers as a simple and cost-effective way to modernise the grid."

Moreover, TRAFCOM provides a more detailed analysis compared to other sensors in the market by measuring four critical dimensions of transformer performance. This furnishes manufacturers with a deeper understanding of their equipment’s functionality, helping them to anticipate issues, detect anomalies early, and carry out predictive maintenance.

Mahmoud adds, "Rising energy consumption and the need to generate more cost-effective power stresses the electricity network and brings increased risk, but understanding how the transformer is performing means that plant and operational managers can plan and improve their processes with confidence."

Digitalising for a sustainable future

The collaboration between ABB and Oktogrid extends beyond TRAFCOM.

Previously, the two organisations have come together to create pilot solutions aimed at extending the operational life of old electrical assets. These digital solutions promise to keep these assets functional for an additional 40 years while also reducing their carbon emissions and improving reliability.

"As industries double-down on their sustainability mandates, greater measurement capabilities are required to inform and shape their decarbonisation strategies," says Golam Sadeghnia, CEO of Oktogrid,

"Through our partnership with ABB, we’ve been able to create a solution that eliminates this transparency gap as we take pivotal steps toward a sustainable and resilient energy future."

ABB's vast expertise in industry, electrification, and digitalisation was instrumental in expediting the pilot solution’s commercial readiness. "I am confident that ABB's investment in OKTO GRID, when combined with our technology and in-depth industry insights, will help industry leapfrog the much-needed upgrade to aging electrical grids to meet the demands for higher power performance, reliability and availability," Stuart Thompson, President of the Electrification Service Division at ABB, stated.

He further explained, "This partnership with OKTO GRID exemplifies our approach to collaborating with innovative startups who have the shared goal of developing technology that drives smart, safe and sustainable outcomes for our customers."

The ongoing success of TRAFCOM is evident as it prepares for its official unveiling at Enlit Europe 2024, Europe’s leading event focused on sustainable energy, which runs from October 22 to 24. As a Platinum Partner, ABB's Electrification Service Division will showcase TRAFCOM alongside other advanced energy management solutions at their booth.

This innovative sensor has already been adopted by some of Europe's largest healthcare facilities and leading multinational steel corporations, ensuring that ABB’s solution will continue to influence the future of sustainable energy manufacturing profoundly.

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