The International Energy Agency's (IEA) recent report, "Batteries and Secure Energy Transitions," highlights the critical role batteries will play in fulfilling the ambitious 2030 targets set by nearly 200 countries at COP28, the United Nations climate change conference. As a partner to industries in exploiting the potential of battery technology, ABB innovations are taking center stage in meeting global demands for energy storage.

Building battery capacity throughout the energy transition

Batteries go hand in hand with ABB’s core businesses of electrification and automation. This includes integrating traction batteries to power electrified public transit; batteries that act as uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) in data centers; batteries to replace diesel engines in construction; and battery energy storage systems (BESS) on board marine vessels.

Batteries are essential to renewable energy sources like solar and wind. As the intermittent nature of renewables poses a challenge to grid stability, BESS can act as giant "power banks" for building operators and industrial sites, storing excess energy generated from renewables during peak production periods and releasing it back to the grid when demand rises. Batteries can also play a complementary role to green hydrogen-based energy storage. ABB provides a comprehensive BESS portfolio, spanning batteries, battery management systems, inverters, switchgear, transformers, and protection and control systems, to ensure seamless integration of renewables into the grid.

Battery innovations to transform transportation

The transportation sector is also undergoing a significant transformation with the rapid adoption of electric vehicles (EVs). While the focus often falls on passenger cars, big changes are also underway in the public transit and industrial vehicle segments. 

The maritime industry is another transportation sector undergoing rapid change in how operations are powered. Our focus on marine vessel electrification leverages our expertise in BESS, integrating modular battery power supplies designed specifically for the harsh marine operating environment and compatible with both high- and low-voltage AC and DC power systems. This versatility allows for integration with a variety of marine power sources, including diesel or gas engines and even fuel cells.

This technology has the potential to significantly reduce emissions and create a cleaner future for maritime transportation, utilizing hybrid diesel-electric propulsion, fully electric propulsion, onboard power supply and distribution, and battery management systems.

One example is the recent launch of the first all-electric harbor tug in the United States, the eWolf, operated by Crowley at the Port of San Diego. This vessel is powered by ABB’s innovative battery-electric propulsion system, helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions and pollution in the area.

Empowering battery manufacturers

ABB offers a range of technologies and services that support the entire battery industry ecosystem. For battery manufacturers, ABB provides automation, electrification, digital and robotics solutions that optimize battery production lines, ensuring efficiency, quality and safety. This expertise streamlines the manufacturing process and accelerates the production of reliable battery systems.  

ABB's Plant Optimization Methodology for Battery Manufacturers, for example, is a set of solutions that help battery makers improve project execution at every stage of the lifecycle. It is built upon a solid foundation comprising electrification, instrumentation, control and digitalization (EICD); ABB Adaptive Execution™; and ongoing operational support. This integrated offering helps battery manufacturers reduce project changes, complexity, risk and cost.

CMBlu Energy, a German company specializing in sustainable battery solutions, has partnered with ABB to optimize its battery production line. CMBlu’s exciting battery innovations rely on organic materials and non-flammable electrolytes. 

ABB's industrial robots are playing a key role in assembling these high-performance battery modules. By integrating advanced robotics, CMBlu can streamline manufacturing, leading to substantial cost reductions. Automation enhances precision and efficiency in production, which decreases waste and contributes to more sustainable operations. This approach helps lower production costs and aligns with environmental goals by reducing batteries’ overall ecological footprint. These cost savings can be passed on to consumers, making battery-powered transportation more affordable and accessible to a broader market.

Batteries are clearly fundamental to EVs. Here, ABB is supporting carmakers in efficient battery production, including robotics solutions for battery pack assembly and battery tray manufacturing, part of our wider portfolio of offerings for EV production.

One example is ABB's partnership with Gotion High-Tech. ABB is providing a range of solutions to optimize their battery factories' production processes, including automation, power distribution and control systems, and data analytics. By providing these technologies, ABB is helping Gotion High-Tech to create advanced battery factories that can meet the growing demand for EV batteries in the European and US markets.

Optimizing the full battery value chain

While batteries offer a promising solution for decarbonization, it is important to consider their environmental footprint holistically. The extraction and processing of battery materials can have significant impacts on ecosystems and communities. To help mitigate some of these impacts, ABB is supporting the mining sector with advanced electrification, automation and digital capabilities for improved safety, productivity and sustainability. 

At the other end of the value chain, ABB also offers technologies that facilitate efficient recycling of batteries that have reached the end of their useful lives.