The Frost & Sullivan 2010 European Medium Voltage Drives New Product Innovation Award is presented to ABB for its pioneering ACS 2000. The product offers benefits such as flexible line supply connections, lower harmonics, reduced energy consumption, ease of installation and commissioning, high reliability and lower cost of ownership. The only drive with voltage source inverter (VSI) topology, transformerless design and patented multi-level IGBT control, ACS 2000 marks a milestone in the medium voltage (MV) drives segment. ABB says it “is the first transformerless, general purpose drive with VSI topology. This air-cooled AC drive, though designed specifically for pump, fan and compressor applications, is practically suitable for most applications including conveyor belts and mills in metals and mining.”
“The design also features easily replaceable phase modules, which allow the end user to quickly replace a module, thereby reducing the cost of outages,” remarks Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Ashitya Yerramreddy. “The ground-breaking ACS 2000 is currently rated from 400 to 1,000 kVA and 6 to 6.9 kV with power extensions planned for the future. It meets the industry standards of reliability, productivity and flexibility, and is ideal for applications that do not require an engineered drive.”
It is packed with the proven leading-edge technologies such as active front end (AFE) and direct torque control (DTC) to lower harmonics, reduce energy consumption and provide regeneration and reactive power (VAR) compensation.
“AFE technology helps minimise current and voltage harmonic distortions without the use of any expensive, specialised transformers,” explains Yerramreddy. “In addition, ABB’s patented DTC control technique has enabled the highest torque and speed performance as well as the lowest losses ever achieved in medium voltage AC drives with VSI topology.”
The product offers a range of value added features including simple installation, commissioning and operation. Such attributes are critical from the end user perspective. The drive also provides line supply connection flexibility based on the customer’s preference or existing installation. DriveStartup, a commissioning wizard that accompanies ACS 2000, offers an advanced tool that simplifies and quickens commissioning, reducing plant downtime considerably.
“ACS 2000 offers an open, flexible communication strategy that enables connection to all higher-level process controllers,” remarks Yerramreddy. “Along with its flexible line supply connection options and advanced software tools, the product allows smooth and simple drive system integration into any industrial environment.”
Overall, minimised energy consumption reduced maintenance costs and reduced initial capital outlay due to the transformerless configuration lower the total cost of ownership of the drive and increase the return on investment for the customer.
The ACS 2000 drive can be used for many motor control applications in various industries, such as mining, due to the standardisation of the product. It is already gaining customer confidence in China and India and various countries in Europe and South East Asia.
Each year this Award is presented to the company that has excelled in the following criteria: innovative element of the product, leverage leading edge technologies in product, value added features/benefits, increased customer ROI (small change) and customer acquisition/penetration potential. Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Awards recognise companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis, and extensive secondary research in order to identify best practices in the industry.
