Trade Arabia reported that ABB has installed the world's highest distribution substation solution to power the world’s tallest building of Burj Khalifa on the 155th floor of the tower.

In addition to being an architectural and structural engineering feat, Burj Khalifa also presented many electrical engineering challenges. Recognising ABB’s ability to meet these unique challenges, the developer, Emaar Properties, selected ABB to provide custom solutions for delivering energy efficiency and reliable and safe power to apartments and offices on all occupied floors.

After securing the contract from Emaar Properties and Hyder Consulting, ABB designers and engineers worked on a one of a kind distribution substation solution that would be able to control and distribute power throughout the 5 million square foot building.

The distribution substation and control equipment that ABB custom engineered for the building are sitting on the 155th floor. The world's highest substation ensures reliable, safe power to everything from lighting and elevators to the ventilation, heating and air conditioning system.

As part of the project, ABB delivered 50 lightweight gas insulated medium voltage switchgears, which offer a space saving design that is easy to service. ABB has also supplied 72 Resibloc dry type transformers, specially designed for the tower with a flexible enclosure to fit in a tight space.

Additionally, ABB supplied 37 TTA low voltage main distribution boards, other low voltage panels and a host of low voltage variable speed drives which increase energy efficiency by regulating air handling units, booster pumps, water pumps and air fans in the tower. ABB’s variable speed drives enable motors to run efficiently at optimal speed as and when required, instead of running constantly at fixed speed or stopping and starting as the demand for power varies.

Mr Elias Rizk head of the construction unit for ABB in the UAE said that “The customer and the consultant were clear that this was a prestigious project for the UAE and therefore they wanted to work with a well-reputed company that was available locally to collaborate with them on a one-of-a-kind electrification solution. They were also keen on making the building as energy efficient as possible.”

(Sourced from Trade Arabia)