Over the past decade, the world has undergone a transformative digital revolution. At the core of this transformation are data centres, processing and storing massive amounts of data every minute to keep up with the ever-increasing demand for information.
With millions of customers relying on data centres for uninterrupted access to information, uptime is critical to data centre operations. At a time when the importance of data centres is continuously increasing, ABB’s century-long electrification experience across the globe makes the company a trusted, reliable and proven technology partner.
As a data centre technology leaders, ABB provides innovative and sustainable solutions that provide reliable energy and crucial insights to enable mission critical intelligent operations. Space-saving, time-saving, energy-saving, cost-saving and infinitely scalable, ABB’s data centre power solutions keep clients’ operations running 24/7.
Business Focus had the privilege of speaking to Danel Turk, Global Portfolio Manager for ABB Data Centers, about the company’s latest developments and its offering to help clients achieve the optimum uptime, as the pace of the energy transition increases.
Electrified for the future
Turk has worked at ABB for almost 20 years in various global roles focused on supporting new technologies and industries. Starting in product management, over the last five years he has been leading on new technologies and fast-growing segments for ABB including solar, eMobility, energy storage and data centres.
“It has been exciting to be part of new sectors which are developing fast, and to support progress towards a more efficient and greener use of energy,” he says. “We are a forward-looking business, electrifying the world, with a strong focus on sustainability, something which is reflected in most of our products.”
He points out that after divesting some activities a few years ago, ABB Data Centre has sharpened its focus on those areas where the company excels. “ABB is a technology leader in Electrification and Process Automation, our core business areas. The other two are Motion and Robotics & Discrete Automation. We cover almost everything to do with electrification and our solutions are developed to suit the needs of the American, European and Asian markets.”
“Being a global player with a footprint in about 80 countries world-wide is something our customers really appreciate, and is also one of our competitive advantages. Whenever our customers enter a new market, they can rely on our local business that has all the right elements in place – the right code of conduct, the ethics as well as high standards. This brings considerable value to them.”
Growing demand
Turk explains that ABB’s electrification and control systems and solutions enable reliable grid connection and help data centre owners manage energy demand. “Modern data centre electrification relies on three main pillars: smart architecture and modularity; digital equipment; and sustainable growth. Through these, we can achieve the energy efficiency needed to scale up competitively in the age of energy-demanding AI, while remaining environmentally responsible.”
ABB’s portfolio includes products and solutions that can help with all critical power elements – from substations to backup sources to cabling – to ensure uninterrupted and sustainable data centre operations. The company’s digital solutions enable continuous monitoring of the health of critical electrical assets to anticipate equipment failures that can cause outages.
Reflecting on current developments, Turk says that the data centre market is on the rise thanks to the continued growth of cloud service providers and artificial intelligence. To keep up with demand, centres are increasing exponentially in size, scale and capacity, while required by clients to be delivered within ever-shorter lead times.
“The speed of development is completely different than in other sectors. Projects are getting bigger and time is getting shorter. Compared to three years ago, for example, lead times have reduced by 50%. Internally, we work on that; externally, we work with customers as well as universities to explain and accommodate that development.”
Ready for market developments
To meet the demand, prefabricated modular solutions and pre-engineered modular solutions may be the answer. ABB offers modular solutions that simplify execution and speed up deployment by up to 50%. The company invests early in innovation and most of its products are being developed to enable a more sustainable and resource-efficient future.
“We take sustainability very seriously, both internally with our environmental measures and our net-zero aligned targets, but also in relation to our partners – we help our clients to meet their sustainability requirements and the new portfolio which is coming will continue to support that. We also work with suppliers to reduce their carbon footprint. For example, we provide suppliers with information on actions they can take to reduce their emissions, based on our own experiences across ABB.”
He points out that as the business grows, the suppliers will grow as well. “The market forecast is really interesting for everybody. That definitely makes us think how we can support this development, making sure that our production capacity is up to date.”
With a global footprint and more than 100 years of electrification experience, ABB is set to make the best of the rapid developments within the energy transition. “The North American market today represent almost half of global demand and Asia Pacific is growing the fastest. From the UK to China to the United States, we have boots on the ground, longstanding relationships and a deep knowledge of what’s required to navigate this rapidly changing environment,” affirms Turk.
“We talk with our major customers almost every day, to make sure that wherever they want to grow, we will support them. We have identified plans to capture new opportunities, and are ready to accommodate growth in the industry.”
