Electricity is the most versatile and widely used form of energy and global demand is growing continuously. Generation of electrical energy, however, is currently the largest single source of carbon dioxide emissions, making a significant contribution to climate change. To mitigate the consequences of climate change, the current electrical system needs to undergo significant adjustments.
The electrical power system was built up over more than 100 years. It is now one of the most effective components of the infrastructure on which modern society depends. It delivers electrical energy to industry, commercial and residential consumers, meeting ever-growing demand.
Most of today's generation capacity relies on fossil fuels and contributes significantly to the increase of carbon dioxide in the world's atmosphere, with negative consequences for the climate and society in general.
To satisfy both the increasing demand for power and the need to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, we need an electric system that can handle these challenges in a sustainable, reliable and economic way.
The future electrical system must meet four requirements:
- Capacity: the huge demand for electrical energy has to be satisfied
- Reliability: high quality electricity must be available whenever it is needed with no interruptions
- Efficiency: from production and transport to consumption of electricity, energy has to be saved
- Sustainability: Low carbon energy sources must be integrated into the system
Many of the technologies needed for the future electrical system are already well established and now need to be more widely applied. ABB, with its broad portfolio of power technologies, control systems and energy efficient applications, has pioneered many of these technologies. ABB is in an excellent position to take the lead in providing tailor-made solutions for the further development of smart electrical systems.