ABB has launched its next generation excitation system – UNITROL® 8000 – to deliver reliable performance and contribute to stable power generation as global power networks adapt to meet growing energy demand and the increased integration of renewables. The modular system is designed for power and industrial applications with excitation currents up to 2,000 A, serving sectors including hydro and thermal power generation, as well as facilities where synchronous condensers are deployed.
UNITROL 8000 has already been in early adoption by regional company Limmatkraftwerke AG at two hydropower plants near Zurich, Switzerland. These facilities, which supply electricity to thousands of households, have upgraded from late 1980s systems to UNITROL 8000 to reduce unplanned outages and improve visibility of operations.
“By adopting UNITROL 8000, we have been able to modernize our plants without major reinvestment while improving operational reliability and simplifying day-to-day operations,” said Michael Kammerlander, Head of Power Plants at Limmatkraftwerke AG. “ABB’s excitation technology has ensured our hydropower facilities have evolved to meet growing demand and gives us confidence that our assets will continue to perform for decades to come.”
UNITROL 8000 brings together real-time excitation control, built-in data analytics, an embedded digital twin and cyber security by design. It supports both traditional and modern communications for smooth integration with existing control systems, while its modular design allows for configuration to site specific conditions and evolution over time without disruption.
The system provides reliable voltage control that enables plants to compensate for grid fluctuations, maintain steady voltage and remain online during disturbances caused by grid incidents or environmental events like lightning storms. This enables stable grid operation even as the volume of renewable energy being integrated increases.
“Adapting power generation to increasingly dynamic grids is one of the defining challenges of the energy transition,” said Danilo Moresco, Head of Power Reliability at ABB’s Energy Industries division. “As renewable integration accelerates, utilities and power producers require solutions that go beyond regulatory compliance, and they need systems that actively support grid stability and resilience. UNITROL 8000 meets that challenge, providing a secure system with built-in digital capabilities that delivers reliable performance today while adapting to the needs of tomorrow.”
Investment in and expansion of grid technology is needed to meet demand growth as well as to modernize infrastructure and enhance its resilience, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). As renewable energy sources expand, the IEA has stressed the need for technologies that enable power plants to respond flexibly and maintain reliable output, ensuring secure and affordable energy systems.
UNITROL 8000 has been developed in line with cyber security standards, such asIEC 62443, and supports grid code compliance, simplifying the regulatory approval process for grid connections through a built-in compliance function. As the latest evolution of the UNITROL excitation range, it is designed to work with existing ABB systems to ensure cost-effective future modernization.
The system also supports operator and system safety. Compliant with IEC 61439 and 62477-1 safety standards, it incorporates arc-flash protection and design features that minimize exposure to critical components during maintenance procedures. Tested under extreme temperature conditions and supported by rigorous validation, UNITROL 8000 ensures safe operation, long-term reliability and reduced failure risk.
UNITROL 8000 joins the UNITROL portfolio which includes the 1000 and 6000 systems that remain active. ABB has delivered more than 30,000 UNITROL systems to its customers around the world.
To learn more, www.abb.com.