ABB to power Bangkok's first monorail lines

ABB Ability^™ enabled control solutions will help transport millions of city commuters and enable Bangkok to reduce air pollution and traffic congestion.

ABB has been contracted by Bombardier Transportation to supply and install Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) and Remote Terminal Units (RTU) to help power Bangkok’s first monorails.

The monorails are part of the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) master plan, a government initiative to create an urban rail commuter network comprising multiple lines. It will serve different parts of the city to cater to Bangkok’s growing population, expected to cross the 10 million mark by 2030. The transportation system, which the Mass Rapid Transit Authority (MRTA) of Thailand is currently constructing, is designed to encourage a shift from road transport to urban rail in the densely packed city. 

ABB is also working with Bombardier Transportation to enable the power supply to the Khae Rai-MinBuri (Pink) Line and Lat Phrao-Samrong (Yellow) Line. The monorails will run with a maximum capacity of over 28,000 passengers per-hour, per-direction, and will operate a minimum of 18 hours a day, seven days a week. ABB is designing and installing bulk auxiliary and traction substations, including the supply of critical power equipment.

When the monorail is commissioned, the ABB Ability^™ enabled MicroSCADA system will control and monitor the entire power network for the Pink and Yellow lines. Remote Terminal Units will be deployed as part of the distribution automation system. These units connect with the SCADA system to continuously provide real-time data, so that any type of disturbance that could cause power interruption can quickly be identified and rectified.

“ABB’s leading-edge technologies will help power these prestigious projects, bringing respite to millions of commuters in Bangkok, easing traffic congestion and reducing pollution”, said Massimo Danieli, head of ABB’s Grid Automation business within the company’s Power Grids division. “ABB has contributed to Thailand’s power infrastructure for many decades and we are now pleased to support the transportation sector with sustainable mobility solutions.”

Economic growth, rapid urbanization and the move towards a low-carbon society are driving the transformation to sustainable transport. ABB services the rail and transportation industries, both urban and long-distance, with a range of solutions that provide reliable power to keep main line trains, metros and mass transit networks on track.