ABB deploys OPTIMAX to bridge energy gaps between OEMs and emerging markets

By Staff Report June 11, 2025 10:58 am IST

OEMs are turning to digital platforms and region-specific strategies to achieve efficient consumption, reduce emissions, and meet global standards, driven by rising energy costs and evolving regulations. G Balaji, SVP of Energy Industries at ABB India, discusses the company’s focus on changing energy management into a strategic function that enhances efficiency and sustainability. 

How is ABB helping global original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) adopt advanced energy management systems?
We focus on transforming energy management into a strategic function that enhances efficiency and sustainability. Our ABB Ability OPTIMAX solution exemplifies this by tackling the diverse energy management challenges that industrial enterprises and energy providers face in the oil and gas, chemicals and refining, water, and power sectors.

OPTIMAX® enhances energy by optimising energy usage, reducing emissions, and improving overall energy efficiency. It provides real-time visibility into consumption patterns, enabling data-driven decisions to reduce costs and carbon footprints. Furthermore, our monitoring and reporting tools ensure compliance with standards like ISO 50001, highlighting opportunities for energy efficiency improvements. By integrating solutions engineered to outperform, we help our consumers meet domestic and global energy demands efficiently. 

With the push for localisation and regional manufacturing hubs, how is ABB addressing energy infrastructure disparities between developed and emerging markets?
We are implementing targeted strategies to address diverse energy infrastructure needs across regions. We do not believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, we localise production, design adaptable solutions, and empower communities to ensure developed and emerging markets advance in energy transition at their own pace.

In India, we support the natural gas expansion goals through automation, SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems, which are components of our broader automation and industrial digitalisation solutions, as well as control systems for CGD networks. We support power generation and utilities with Automatic Generation Control (AGC) solutions, which optimise generator operations to enhance the efficiency and reliability of power plants.

In Europe, we support the transition to a carbon-neutral economy by enhancing electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure and promoting the integration of renewable energy sources. This tailored approach enables us to effectively navigate regional requirements, driving sustainable energy solutions that respect the unique dynamics of each market.

How is ABB integrating digital technologies into its energy management solutions for globally distributed original equipment manufacturer (OEM) facilities?
Our energy management solutions are largely based on digitalisation. We enable OEMs to leverage energy as a strategic asset by utilising connected platforms that provide real-time insights, predictive analytics, and actionable intelligence. ABB Ability provides a simple and cost-effective solution for energy and power quality monitoring, offering remote access to plant data and asset monitoring to enhance equipment reliability and availability. This platform integrates data from sensors, controllers, and cloud analytics, delivering a unified operational view.

Additionally, predictive diagnostics enable us to anticipate failures before they occur, while remote monitoring allows centralised teams to manage multiple plants with minimal physical intervention. This is crucial for companies with global operations, where standardising energy practices across diverse facilities can lead to significant efficiency gains. Our technologies, including digital twins, AI-driven forecasting, and remote troubleshooting, enable industries to utilise energy data for enhanced efficiency and cleaner operations.

How are ABB’s energy management solutions helping OEMs reduce their energy usage while maintaining cost efficiency and compliance?
Operating efficiently and sustainably is imperative in today’s rising energy costs and stringent carbon regulations. At ABB, we engineer energy management solutions that help OEMs like yours balance operational efficiency, meet regulatory requirements, and achieve meaningful cost savings.

The ABB Ability Energy Manager digital platforms help monitor energy consumption and CO₂ footprint. This digital solution enables faster, more informed decision-making through data insights, providing OEMs with real-time visibility into energy use across their processes and equipment. This transparency enables data-driven decisions to reduce peak demand and optimise load schedules, thereby eliminating unnecessary energy waste and lowering utility bills and emissions. What sets us apart at ABB is our ability to combine deep domain expertise with global standards and local execution. We don’t just provide technology — we partner with companies as long-term energy allies, supporting their transition to a lower-carbon, more cost-efficient future. Our commitment goes beyond products; we offer strategic energy advisory that empowers OEMs to tackle current and future regulatory challenges.