China Mobile deploys ABB’s digital data centre solution
China Mobile International (CMI) has revealed its plans to upscale its new Frankfurt data centre, by using ABB’s digital solution technologies.
“As a rapidly expanding presence on the global telecommunications market, CMI needs solutions that can be deployed fast and flexibly so that we can serve our customers. E+I’s solution with ABB switchgear is helping us to achieve this,” commented Gavin Zhao, Data Centre Manager at CMI.
The details of China Mobile and ABB’s data centre partnership
ABB has provided electrical switchgear and control equipment to CMI, to be deployed in its new data centre, located in Frankfurt, Germany.
The solution was delivered through E+I Engineering, an electrical power distribution supplier, with the package including four medium-voltage (MV) switchgear panels equipped with ABB's Relion. 620 series protection relays. These communicate to the digital remote operating panels using IEC 61850 - the international standard for electrical substation communication.
The installation and commissioning time of the solution was significantly reduced, thanks to the use of fully-remote factory acceptance testing.
The speed of the timescale was also aided by the fact that the digital protection and control scheme is based on a single fibre optic communications line, rather than multiple copper wire connections.
In fact, ABB’s digital solution was able to cut overall installation and commissioning time by 60%, while also using 90% less copper than industry alternatives.
“Installing ABB’s solution was as fast as putting up a bookshelf,” praised Paul Dunne, Customer Engineering Manager from E+I Engineering.
“Furthermore, reducing the resources needed for cabling, and avoiding the travel associated with an in-person FAT, were additional environmental benefits.”
“This solution showcases the benefits of increased digitalization,” added Stephen Doyle, the Marketing and Sales Director for Northern Europe at ABB Electrification Distribution Solutions.
“Digital control enables us to build flexibility into our project delivery and ultimately enables rapid construction. Doing so enables customers like CMI to onboard their end-customers sooner. Moreover, since the installation coincided with the height of the pandemic, we held our first-ever fully remote FAT for this type of project via video call. This saved time, cost and emissions, helping us deliver the best solutions for our customers.”
