ABB’s Mission to Zero is a strategic initiative aimed at achieving a sustainable future characterised by zero emissions, zero accidents, and zero waste. “This mission reflects ABB's commitment to environmental stewardship and social responsibility, aligning with global sustainability goals,” comments Bradley James, product marketing director, EDLS, South Africa.
By combining energy management systems with electrification and renewable resource technologies, ABB established the Mission to Zero programme. Acting as a guiding light, ABB aims to reach net zero by 2030 in its own factory sites, while helping customers and suppliers reach their emission ambitions too.
In terms of zero emissions, ABB is dedicated to reducing its carbon footprint and facilitating the transition to sustainable energy solutions. This includes the development of technologies that enhance energy efficiency and promote the use of renewable energy sources, helping customers and industries lower their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
By choosing the right applications in concert with the designed energy architecture, customers can benefit from reduced CO₂ emissions, energy savings, reduced energy loss, as well as cost savings, while fulfilling the requirements of environmental product declarations (EPD) or certificates on their path toward carbon neutrality.
In terms of South Africa specifically, ABB’s Mission to Zero efforts include local manufacturing of Compact Secondary Substations (CSS) and promoting its new SF6-Free gas switchgear. The Mission to Zero blueprint is being successfully applied to other ABB factories as well, such as ABB’s circuit breaker and switchgear factory in Dalmine, Italy.
By installing photovoltaics (PV) for power generation and consumption, coupled with smart energy and asset management technology to monitor and assess power use, this ABB factory has been able to generate over 20% of its own energy in the summer months and has reduced CO₂ emissions by over 2,200 tons over the past two years.
ABB is committed to minimising waste throughout its operations by promoting circular economy principles. This involves reducing material consumption, enhancing recycling efforts, and finding innovative ways to reuse resources, thereby minimising environmental impact. Through Mission to Zero, ABB aims to lead by example in the electrification and automation sectors, driving innovation that contributes to a sustainable and responsible future for all.
“Currently, what we are witnessing is a lack of available power for our country as a whole, forcing our utility to implement loadshedding and load reduction. Our business pushes our manufacturing facilities to utilise less power while respecting our environment and executing it safely. This promotes development and innovation in ABB to be more creative in generating, storing, and utilising the power in a more efficient manner, therefore putting less reliance and stress on our electricity grid,” says James.
He points to the Energy Efficiency Movement (EEM), a global initiative that aims to accelerate the adoption of energy efficiency solutions within industries to achieve net-zero emissions. It provides a platform for stakeholders to share knowledge, collaborate, and develop innovative energy-saving strategies. “Local companies can get involved by joining the EEM, participating in events, implementing energy audits, upgrading to energy-efficient equipment, and engaging employees in energy-saving practices,” explains James.
With ongoing energy challenges, ABB’s solutions, such as microgrids, energy storage, and smart power management, enable local businesses and municipalities to optimise energy use, integrate renewables, and enhance energy security. For example, ABB integrates renewable energy into operations through a combination of advanced technologies, digital solutions, and system-level expertise that enable the seamless, efficient, and reliable use of clean energy sources.
For any operation to become a Mission to Zero site, it must achieve certain minimum requirements, apply ABB solutions and integrate third-party solutions to enable greater electrification, efficiency and use of renewable energy. There are four pillars of the transition, namely planning, innovation, monitoring, and sustainability.
James adds that ABB aligns strongly with South Africa’s Just Energy Transition (JET) objectives through its technologies, services, and sustainability commitments that directly support decarbonisation, energy security, and inclusive socioeconomic development.
“ABB can play a pivotal role in supporting South Africa’s net zero and climate goals through its advanced technologies, deep local presence, and global expertise in enabling clean, efficient, and resilient energy systems,” says James. It can accelerate renewable energy integration, promote energy efficiency, and support grid modernisation and resilience.
Here, digital technology plays a key role in energy management. “At ABB, we believe digitalisation is key to unlocking a low-carbon future,” notes James. Its digital technologies give customers the visibility, intelligence, and control they need to manage energy more sustainably, transforming ambition into action on the path to net zero.
Therefore, digital technology is a game-changer in energy management, as with ABB’s SSC600 SW, the first virtualised protection and control solution with Smart Substation Control and Protection. The virtualised product enables customers to use the hardware of their choice and gain access to the same proven protection and control functionality as with ABB’s turnkey solution.
Customers can now choose SSC600 SW and are no longer tied to specific hardware, allowing them to optimise their IT infrastructure. With many systems accommodated on one platform, they can reduce the number and type of devices and hardware in substations. This greatly simplifies performing maintenance activities.
