Transformers, substations + the grid: Products + services
Smart grid solutions
performance. This is especially relevant in the African context, where expanding access to electricity needs to be balanced with the transition to cleaner energy systems.
At Enlit Africa 2026, held mid-May in Cape Town, ABB South Africa presented its advanced electrification technologies designed to strengthen grid resilience across the continent. Enlit Africa is recognised as one of the continent’s leading gatherings for the power and energy sector, bringing together utilities, regulators, technology providers and industry stakeholders. This year critical challenges such as grid reliability, infrastructure modernisation and the integration of renewable energy were in focus. ABB’s Electrification Distribution Solutions (ELDS) division showcased technologies designed to improve network visibility, operational eiciency and system resilience. As utilities across Africa contend with ageing infrastructure and increasing demand, the need for intelligent, digitally enabled grid solutions has become more urgent. Among the solutions on display was ABB’s SCADA panel, which enables real-time monitoring and control of electrical networks, giving operators greater visibility of the networks so they can respond quickly to faults or disruptions. Additionally, ABB’s UniGear portfolio and LeanGear medium- voltage switchgear engineered for reliability and reduced maintenance were on show. UniGear oers adaptability, allowing for sensors and advanced analytics to be incorporated into the switchgear to support predictive maintenance and enhance operational safety. The company’s Compact Secondary Substation is another solution – designed for rapid deployment in urban environments and industrial applications. It is a modular, space-eicient solution that integrates transformer, medium-voltage and low-voltage components into a single unit. It delivers reliable performance in harsh environments and provides for the integration of distributed energy resources, including renewables. Together, these technologies reflect ABB’s broader approach to enabling more flexible and resilient grids that can adapt to changing energy demands and, at the same time, maintain stability and
“Across Africa, utilities are under increasing pressure to deliver reliable, flexible and sustainable power,” says Egon Worthmann, Electrification Commercial Leader & ELDS Division Manager at ABB South Africa. “At Enlit Africa 2026, ABB took the opportunity to demonstrate how its smart electrification solutions enable a more resilient grid – one that can adapt to future energy demands and improve operational eiciency today.” With utilities and industry stakeholders seeking practical, scalable solutions to complex energy challenges, ABB is committed to supporting the development of robust, future-ready power infrastructure across the continent. Egon Worthmann, ELDS Division Manager at ABB South Africa.
For more information visit: www.abb.com
ABB’s UniGear enables predictive maintenance and improved safety with integrated sensors and analytics.
reliability operations. Falcon 4 makes this attainable by providing continuous diagnostic coverage. Users are informed by an alarm when a PD activity is recognised, behaviour trends can be tracked over time, and data correlated across sites. That means maintenance calls are informed, rather than relying on guesswork. Falcon 4 helps substation engineers move from reactive response to predictive control. Despite its compact form, Falcon 4 is a leading diagnostic instrument: 4 independent PD channels, 125 MSa/s sampling, 30 MHz bandwidth, and a built-in sync channel for precise phase correlation. It’s engineered for accuracy, reliability, and repeatable results. When you’re managing critical power assets, confidence in your data is just as important as the data itself. The Falcon 4 is not just another sensor box. It’s designed to be an engineer’s ally – a constant, intelligent observer that makes the usually invisible behaviour of equipment insulation systems visible, providing insight from the PD alarm to the raw data. For anyone who’s ever been blindsided by an unexpected fault, this kind of constant vigilance is worth its weight in uptime.
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signals aecting the asset insulation, providing the clarity needed to make decisions based on reality, not assumptions. In practice, that translates into higher sensitivity to small defects, fewer false positives, and the ability to spot insulation degradation long before it becomes critical. Built for the field Site experiences and challenges have shaped the design of Falcon 4: it’s fast to install, non-intrusive, and doesn’t require shutdowns. Clamp on an HFCT sensor or mount the TEVs, and it’s up and running – without taking the system out of service. No complex calibration, no specialised training. Once connected, the unit configures itself, syncs, and starts streaming PD data to its onboard web interface or the user’s SCADA system. Integration is seamless through IEC 61850, OPC-UA and MODBUS protocols. It is practical, rugged, and made for the realities of the field.
Smarter maintenance Condition-based maintenance is today’s standard for high-
For more information visit: www.doble.com
JUNE 2026 Electricity + Control
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