ABB targets broader project role

St Neots, UK - ABB is moving to leverage its experience in project management  and lifecycle support to expand its role as a Main Automation Contractor/Main Electrical Contractor (MAC/MEC), by taking more responsibility for the automation and electrical design, selection, manufacture, installation, commissioning and after-sales support on projects.

According to company officials, the approach will offer clients reduced capital (CAPEX) and operational and maintenance costs (OPEX) as well as reduced time to market and fewer contacts with suppliers. Other benefits, they added, include a simplified supply chain, fewer progress meetings, reduced risk of delays, consistent standards, consistent quality and improved safety.

Appointing ABB as MAC/MEC in the early stages of a project will allow ABB to gather the engineering requirements, define the scope and therefore optimise the scope to be supplied, by reducing unnecessary hardware, electronic conversion of the engineering so reduces change requests and therefore CAPEX, said a company statement.

ABB aims to work closely with the client and its EPC contractors to develop the overall project concept and system specifications/requirements. Similarly using its expertise in post installation support, the company said it can better ensure end user profitability in process operation and asset management - OPEX

Acting as MAC/MEC, ABB will maintain contact with all contractors, eliminating the need for the client or project management contractor to co-ordinate and pass information between many different parties. This, it said, also ensures that the project plan defined in the concept phase is adhered to and that all relevant standards are used.

The MAC/MEC approach differs from the traditional view that automation and electrical systems are mere extensions of the processes and mechanical systems used in the facility. Instead the focus should be on the integrated automation and electrical systems being a key component of the overall plant.

Appointing an experienced project orientated company as MAC/MEC provides this focus, ensuring that all participants work together, pooling their unique knowledge and expertise to give a single integrated solution for the entire facility from the outset.

The overall project is executed in distinct stages:

FEED:

During the FEED stage, common standards are set for the automation/electrical systems, including the key engineering criteria that are required throughout the whole project life cycle.

Implementation:

Following FEED, the detailed plant design is carried out to achieve a Functional Design Specification (FDS) for each process. This activity is performed in close co-operation with the EPC and the ABB team located in the EPC office.

Site installation, pre-commissioning and commissioning support

For on-site activities, ABB typically uses personnel from the local organization who have been involved during the implementation stage. This ensures a smooth transition, along with process system and installation supervision expertise.

Post start-up services

After-care covers the complete life cycle of the commissioned Automation, Electrical, Telecom system. Here ABB takes full responsibility for the plant and maintenance personnel of the asset.

Using ABB as a MAC/MEC means the project is in the hands of an established and motivated team of well qualified, technical and project support personnel. Backed up by proven systems, processes and tools, ABB’s qualified and dedicated staff will ensure successful completion of the project.