Drives (such as variable frequency drives or servo drives) enable precise and efficient control of components - a key requirement in automation. An increase in automation could lead to a shift in the types of drives demanded, favouring more advanced and precise drive technologies, says A R Madhusudan, President, Drive Products, ABB India. In this interview with Rakesh Rao, Madhusudan highlights the importance of drives in achieving the industry's sustainability goals and the company's growth plans.

Could you please brief us on ABB's Drive Products business?
ABB’s drive products business provides solutions for electric motor control and variable speed drives. These drives are used in various industrial applications to control the speed and torque of electric motors, improving energy efficiency and process control. ABB India offers a wide range of drive products, including low voltage AC drives, medium voltage drives, and DC drives. These drives are designed to meet the specific needs of different industries such as chemical textiles, oil and gas, and mining, among others.

The drive products business of ABB India not only provides the hardware but also offers the foundation of the all-compatible drives’ portfolio. The drives share the same software platform, tools, user interfaces and options. Yet, there is an optimal drive from the smallest water pump to the biggest cement kiln. ABB India aims to keep their offerings growing to deliver more flexibility to meet exact needs with simplicity to help manage the user’s installed base - locally and globally, now and in the future.

Additionally, ABB India leverages its expertise in digitalization and industrial automation to offer integrated solutions that combine drive products with other ABB technologies such as motors, control systems, and connectivity solutions. These integrated solutions enable customers to achieve seamless automation and control across their entire operations. ABB India's drive products business plays a crucial role in providing advanced motor control solutions and driving the adoption of energy-efficient technologies in the industrial sector.

With sustainability gaining a prominent place in industries, how important will be the role of drives in achieving the industry's green goals?
ABB drives are instrumental in achieving industry's green goals by improving energy efficiency, optimising processes, integrating renewable energy, supporting demand-side management, and enabling monitoring and optimisation. With their advanced features and capabilities, ABB drives contribute to the transition towards a more sustainable and environment friendly industrial sector. They are designed to optimise the energy consumption of electric motors. By controlling the speed and torque of motors, drives can match the motors’ power output to the actual load requirements. This precise control minimises energy waste and significantly improves energy efficiency. Industries can achieve substantial energy savings by utilising ABB drives in various applications, resulting in reduced greenhouse gas emissions and lower energy costs.

ABB drives offer advanced control features and intelligent algorithms that enable industries to optimise their processes. By fine-tuning motor control, drives can enhance the efficiency of industrial processes, reduce resource consumption, and minimise waste generation. This optimisation contributes to sustainable manufacturing practices and helps industries reduce their environmental impact. ABB drives can provide real-time data on motor performance, energy consumption, and system efficiency. By analysing this data, industries can identify opportunities for further optimisation, implement preventive maintenance measures, and continuously improve their energy efficiency and sustainability performance.

ABB drives facilitate the integration of renewable energy sources into industrial operations. With the increasing adoption of solar power, wind energy, and other renewables, it is crucial to manage the variability and intermittency of these energy sources. ABB drives enable smooth integration by providing dynamic control and ensuring a stable power supply. This capability allows industries to rely more on renewable energy, reducing their reliance on fossil fuels and promoting cleaner energy alternatives.

ABB drives also support demand-side management strategies by allowing industries to adjust their energy consumption based on utility pricing and grid conditions. Drives can respond to signals from the power grid and adapt motor operations, accordingly, participating in demand response programs. By reducing energy usage during peak demand periods or when electricity prices are high, industries can contribute to grid stability, reduce strain on the power infrastructure, and support a more sustainable energy system.

How is rise in automation driving the demand for drives?
The effect of an increase in automation at the plant and machine level on the demand for drives depends on various factors. Firstly, automation often requires precise control of motors, actuators, and other mechanical components. As automation increases, the demand for drives (such as variable frequency drives or servo drives) may also increase to enable precise and efficient control of components.

Different automation systems may have different drive requirements. For example, traditional manufacturing plants may primarily use basic motor drives, while advanced robotic systems may require sophisticated servo drives. An increase in automation could lead to a shift in the types of drives demanded, favoring more advanced and precise drive technologies.

Automation systems often rely on seamless integration between various components, including drives. Increased automation may lead to a greater emphasis on integrating drives with other automation technologies, such as programmable logic controllers (PLCs) or industrial control systems. This integration can optimise performance and enable better communication and coordination between different parts of the automated system.

In some cases, automation initiatives may involve streamlining and consolidating control systems. Instead of having separate drives for each individual machine or process, automation efforts may aim to centralise control and utilise fewer, more powerful drives. This consolidation can help simplify maintenance, reduce costs, and improve overall system efficiency.

With automation growing, the need for manual drives operated by human operators may decrease. For example, manual motor starters or basic on/off switches may be replaced by automated control systems. However, it's important to note that while there might be a decrease in demand for manual drives, the overall demand for drives driven by automation is likely to increase.

For your drive products, how do you intend to tap the emerging opportunities in sectors like industrial, energy, railways, etc?
To support growth in the various emerging sectors in India and to maintain our market leadership in HVAC, water & wastewater and industrial, we have focused developments on various products features keeping our core values in the center and with the focus with key customer benefits of performance and efficiency.

A primary focus area is our ultra-low harmonic drives offering. We also aim to maintain technology leadership with key customer-led innovations that the industries will come across soon.

What are your growth plans for ABB's Drive Products business?
A strong business should not change strategy dramatically from one year to the next. We are already having a very strong performance in terms of KPIs for a series of quarters. Still, there are important modifications to our refreshed strategy.

We have already invested in our Peenya location for adding up production lines of Drive Modules. We are equipped with enough resources to grow even faster and believe we can do it. What gives us confidence is our track record of success and the talent and competence of our people. Drive Products targets to higher revenue, higher productivity with a sustainable approach to the markets.

To achieve this, we are pro-actively going to increase investments across different parts of our business including front-end capabilities.