ENGIE Hires ABB to Provide Switchgear Upgrades

Belgian utility ENGIE turned to ABB Electrification Service for a retrofill solution to safeguard and extend the safe operating life of its switchgear systems across five of its combined heat and power (CHP) plants.

ENGIE, which specializes in energy supply, management, mobility solutions, solar panel installations and batteries, and asset-based energy services, was looking to modernize its electrical infrastructure by extracting as much value as possible from its existing equipment with high embedded carbon and material footprints – such as switchgear metal cabinets, plates and busbars. 

The ABB OneFit Retrofill Solution replaced conventional and aging breaker components with VD4G vacuum circuit breakers. The upgrade protects mission critical ENGIE assets, such as generators and transformers, against potential short-circuits by isolating power interruptions within milliseconds and preventing severe damage and lengthy plant stoppages.

Upgrades can be implemented in stages and staggered to not only optimize capital expenditure, but also to allow work to be completed in short production breaks and within normal planned maintenance downtime.

Comprising an adaptation kit and standard withdrawable equipment, the OneFit plug-in technology enables the new breakers and switchgear components to be simply and safely connected to a wide range of existing panels, including those of other manufacturers.

For ENGIE, this latest modernization program by ABB Electrification Service is a tangible example of how the circular approach of extending asset lifespan and reducing the cost of operating equipment brings both short and long-term benefits, while helping deliver performance improvements, investment optimization and new levels of sustainable efficiency.