ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, announced that its Raleigh-based Smart Grid Center of Excellence facility, first announced last year and backed by a $10 million investment from ABB, is now operational and open for business. This new state-of-the-art Smart Grid Center of Excellence (COE) was created to demonstrate ABB's technology and investment in the smart grid industry. The recent acquisition of Ventyx (a leading smart grid software firm based in Atlanta), investment in research, and the productization of new technology have allowed ABB to become the leader in the modernization of the distribution grid. The Center has functional systems which display the end-to-end solution where information technologies (IT) and operational technologies (OT) converge to close the loop of automation, control and data acquisition. In addition to the demonstration area, ABB has invested in a Systems Verification Center where the interoperable testing of industry accepted products and development of advanced applications can take place. This new service will allow customers to configure, test and install solutions which will reduce installation time, site acceptance tests and the deployment of new advanced applications. "As the demand for power continues to grow, and as the electric power grids of today become more complex, they must get smarter to maintain and improve reliability and energy efficiency," said Enrique Santacana, president and CEO of ABB Inc. and region manager for North America. "ABB has always been on the leading edge of power technology, and this initiative reaffirms ABB's commitment to our customers and to playing an even larger role in the development and implementation of today's smart grid." The COE, located on the popular Centennial Campus of North Carolina State University, also houses two other complimentary businesses: Substation Automation Products and Systems. The Substation Automation team recently launched the new Relion® family of ANSI protection and control products. ABB will operate the Center in collaboration with several North Carolina partnerships, including the FREEDM Systems Center, local utilities such as Duke Energy and Progress Energy, and other local metering and communications companies. The Raleigh site is already home to ABB's North American headquarters for its Power Products and Power Systems divisions, as well as a major Corporate Research Center focused on advanced power systems technology research. ABB's North American corporate headquarters are also located in nearby Cary. ABB will host an official dedication ceremony for the Center in January, 2012. www.abb.com
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