Chennai Metro signs ABB for ventilation, cooling

16 Feb 2021 CW Staff

Chennai Metro has signed ABB, a global technology company, for providing active front end variable speed drives (VSDs) for the ventilation system of Chennai Metro line.

The new 9 km long extension line plies from the northern part of the city to Chennai International Airport in the south. ABB solutions are part of this metro system with the supply of ACH580 and ACS880 active front end drives to support the metro line’s ventilation system and platform cooling. ABB India has partnered with Sterling Wilson, an EPC company, to provide HVAC solutions for the Chennai metro project.

ABB drives are used together with electric motors for the control of tunnel ventilation fans. They are a part of the operation of advanced air exchange systems in the stations and tunnels, ensuring passengers’ comfort and saving energy in normal operation as well as contributing in safe evacuation, smoke extract and fire fighting in case of emergency.

The dedicated voltage boost feature of ABB’s HVAC drives is intended to address voltage-drop issues caused by long cables in the tunnel network. With this feature, fans are able to provide a nominal air flow without a need for any external equipment to compensate for voltage drop. This is said to bring cost benefits to the project.

Almost non-existent harmonics, due to the drives’ active front end design, mitigate the risk of the network overload, ensuring continuous ventilation and power supply.

The ‘fireman’s override’ feature supposedly allows VSDs on smoke extraction and pressurisation fans to maintain safe escape routes for the passengers. In the event of a fire, this mode is usually triggered with a special key at the fireman’s control station.

ABB is a global technology company that connects software to its electrification, robotics, automation and motion portfolio.

Written from company news release.

Chennai Metro has signed ABB, a global technology company, for providing active front end variable speed drives (VSDs) for the ventilation system of Chennai Metro line. The new 9 km long extension line plies from the northern part of the city to Chennai International Airport in the south. ABB solutions are part of this metro system with the supply of ACH580 and ACS880 active front end drives to support the metro line’s ventilation system and platform cooling. ABB India has partnered with Sterling Wilson, an EPC company, to provide HVAC solutions for the Chennai metro project. ABB drives are used together with electric motors for the control of tunnel ventilation fans. They are a part of the operation of advanced air exchange systems in the stations and tunnels, ensuring passengers’ comfort and saving energy in normal operation as well as contributing in safe evacuation, smoke extract and fire fighting in case of emergency. The dedicated voltage boost feature of ABB’s HVAC drives is intended to address voltage-drop issues caused by long cables in the tunnel network. With this feature, fans are able to provide a nominal air flow without a need for any external equipment to compensate for voltage drop. This is said to bring cost benefits to the project. Almost non-existent harmonics, due to the drives’ active front end design, mitigate the risk of the network overload, ensuring continuous ventilation and power supply. The ‘fireman’s override’ feature supposedly allows VSDs on smoke extraction and pressurisation fans to maintain safe escape routes for the passengers. In the event of a fire, this mode is usually triggered with a special key at the fireman’s control station. ABB is a global technology company that connects software to its electrification, robotics, automation and motion portfolio. Written from company news release.

Infrastructure Transport

06 Aug 2026

Surya Roshni delivers customised lighting for NCRTC RRTS stations

Surya Roshni has supplied customised indoor lighting solutions for 18 elevated stations on the National Capital Region Transport Corporation's (NCRTC) Rapid Rail Transit System (RRTS), strengthening its presence in India's infrastructure lighting segment.The project involved the design and deployment of lighting systems for platforms, concourses, foot overbridges (FOBs) and back-of-house (BOH) areas. According to the company, the luminaires were developed specifically to meet NCRTC's design, operational and performance requirements rather than using standard products.Surya introduced two custo..

Real Estate

06 Aug 2026

Hilton debuts Tapestry Collection brand in Vietnam

Hilton has opened NHAAN Resort & Spa Hoi An, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, marking the debut of the Tapestry Collection brand in Vietnam and expanding its lifestyle hospitality portfolio in Southeast Asia.Located along the Co Co River in Cam Thanh village, the 174-key resort provides access to Hoi An Ancient Town, Cua Dai Beach and the Cam Thanh Nipa Forest. The property has been designed by Vietnamese architect Vo Trong Nghia, incorporating biophilic architecture, locally sourced materials and riverfront landscapes.The resort offers a mix of guest rooms and suites, including family-frien..

Building Material

06 Aug 2026

Electrent expands lithium energy storage system portfolio

Electrent Energy has expanded its lithium-based energy storage portfolio with the launch of the ESS 850 and ESS 1050, targeting compact and maintenance-free power backup solutions for Indian homes.The new systems integrate a Home UPS and a LiFePO4 lithium battery into a single unit, extending the company's product range following the launch of its ESS 1350 and ESS 2500 models.Designed for apartments and smaller homes, the ESS 850 provides up to 1 hour 15 minutes of backup, while the ESS 1050 offers up to 1 hour 45 minutes on a typical 400 W household load. The systems can power essential appli..