ABB has launched its next-generation digital excitation system, the UNITROL® 8000, designed to improve reliability and grid stability for power plants, with early adoption already underway in the hydropower sector.
Regional utility Limmatkraftwerke AG has deployed the UNITROL 8000 at two hydropower plants near Zurich, Switzerland, replacing systems from the late 1980s. The upgrades aim to reduce unplanned outages and enhance operational visibility.
“By adopting UNITROL 8000, we have been able to modernize our plants without major reinvestment while improving operational reliability and simplifying day-to-day operations,” said Michael Kammerlander, Head of Power Plants at Limmatkraftwerke AG. “ABB’s excitation technology has ensured our hydropower facilities have evolved to meet growing demand and gives us confidence that our assets will continue to perform for decades to come.”
Designed for both hydropower and thermal generation, as well as facilities using synchronous condensers, the modular UNITROL 8000 delivers excitation currents up to 2,000 A. It combines real-time excitation control with built-in data analytics, an embedded digital twin, and cybersecurity by design.
The system supports traditional and modern communication protocols for integration with existing control systems, and its modular design allows configuration for site-specific needs and future scalability without downtime.
UNITROL 8000 provides stable voltage control, helping hydropower plants and other generating units remain online during grid disturbances caused by faults or environmental events. ABB says this ensures steady operation even as renewable energy penetration increases.
“Adapting power generation to increasingly dynamic grids is one of the defining challenges of the energy transition,” said Danilo Moresco, Head of Power Reliability at ABB’s Energy Industries division. “As renewable integration accelerates, utilities and power producers require solutions that go beyond regulatory compliance, and they need systems that actively support grid stability and resilience. UNITROL 8000 meets that challenge, providing a secure system with built-in digital capabilities that delivers reliable performance today while adapting to the needs of tomorrow.”
Developed in accordance with IEC 62443 cybersecurity standards, UNITROL 8000 includes built-in grid code compliance features to simplify regulatory approvals. It also meets IEC 61439 and IEC 62477-1 safety standards, with arc-flash protection and maintenance-friendly design to improve operator safety.
Tested under extreme operating conditions, the system is engineered for long-term reliability and reduced failure risk.
UNITROL 8000 joins ABB’s established UNITROL portfolio, which includes the 1000 and 6000 series. ABB reports that more than 30,000 UNITROL systems have been delivered worldwide.
