ABB’s position on climate change and global warming
The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change presents increasingly convincing evidence that man-made emissions of greenhouse gases – mainly carbon dioxide (CO2) – are influencing global climate.
ABB shares the concern about global warming and is committed to the pursuit of emission reductions. We support the Kyoto Protocol and other national and international efforts to lower greenhouse gas emissions and stabilize global temperatures. ABB takes part in the Gleneagles Dialogue on Climate Change, which aims at shaping constructive policy recommendations, in particular for post-2012 commitments.
While recognizing that reshaping the world’s energy supply sources will take time, ABB believes that other actions to cut greenhouse gas emissions can already be taken now: For example, pursuing energy savings and energy efficiency throughout the value chain from suppliers to end-users of energy will have an immediate beneficial impact on emissions.
Our contribution
In 1999, ABB set a target to reduce our own greenhouse gas emissions by one percent per year over the following five years. We accomplished this through a large number of improvement projects throughout ABB. In 2006, we set a new target to reduce the use of energy per output unit by five percent over a two-year period. The Executive Committee also sanctioned the investigation of current and upcoming international instruments that would help ABB to compensate for its CO2 emissions.
ABB’s greatest contribution to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions is through its products. For example, our advanced industrial information technology for the control and optimization of integrated systems, electrical power grids, buildings and industrial processes saves energy and reduces emissions.
The interconnection of power systems with high-voltage direct current (HVDC and HVDC Light) technology makes large savings through a more even distribution of loads and a more efficient use of primary energy resources, thereby reducing CO2 emissions. It also enables large-scale integration of renewable energy into the power grids.
ABB’s high-efficiency motors and variable-speed drives for motors contribute to large emission reductions. ABB drives installed worldwide save some 115 million megawatt-hours of energy per year, corresponding to an ongoing reduction of CO2 emissions of 97 million tons each and every year.
ABB’s products are designed to give optimal performance over their complete life cycles. Using Life Cycle Assessments, ABB delivers products and systems that require less material, have higher efficiencies and consume less energy, which means lower greenhouse gas emissions – particularly over long operating lifetimes.
ABB’s position on sulfur hexafluoride (SF6)
Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) is a man-made gas. It is used in electrical equipment and also in such applications as semiconductor manufacture and cover gas in magnesium foundries in some countries. It is one of the most potent greenhouse gases listed in the Kyoto Protocol.
Compared to emissions of carbon dioxide (the main greenhouse gas), the amount of SF6 that escapes to the atmosphere is minute. Even though SF6 has a global warming potential some 22,200 times greater than carbon dioxide, SF6 probably accounts for about 0.1 percent of man’s contribution to the greenhouse effect.
SF6 requires controlled handling. Accidental releases of SF6 due to mishaps during manufacturing, installation, maintenance and decommissioning are a greater concern than leaks.
Our contribution
Like many other manufacturers, ABB uses SF6 to make safe, reliable and compact high-voltage electrical equipment. The gas has excellent insulating and arc-quenching properties, which permit much more compact equipment designs than would otherwise be possible. Land use, energy consumption, losses and waste are all considerably reduced, while the potential for recycling is increased.
Life Cycle Assessments indicate that with proper precautions, these advantages outweigh the environmental impact of leakages of SF6 to the atmosphere.
In normal use, ABB products emit hardly any SF6. The gas is contained either in closed systems that require gas handling only once in a lifetime of 40 years, or in systems sealed for life that require no gas handling.
Our current closed systems guarantee a maximum leakage rate of 0.5 percent per year, which is in accordance with the latest standards. Our sealed system products guarantee leakage rates below 0.1 percent per year. Field experience shows that actual emissions are considerably less.
To minimize emissions, ABB uses strict tracing and inventory systems and efficient handling procedures in line with the recommendations of environmental agencies.
To this end, ABB plays a leading role in the international organizations responsible for developing guidelines for the reuse, recycling and handling of SF6, including IEC, CIGRE, CAPIEL and NEMA.
ABB also takes back old products for dismantling and recycling under controlled conditions. We also have ongoing research programs into alternatives to SF6, and we make SF6-free products available whenever feasible.