ABB has delivered a MUCK THERE’S ENERGY
compressive automation and
power solution for Elkem
Solar’s production line at its
facility in Kristiansand,
Norway. The facility
produces highly processed
silicon for the global solar
cell industry. ABB’s scope of
supply includes electrical and
automation systems
integrated on the common
System 800xA platform.

Elkem Solar, part of the
Norwegian Orkla Group of
companies, invested $700m
in the facility, which
produces 6000 metric tons of
high-purity silicon a year.

The production line
consists of five independent
process steps. ABB Norway
delivered all high/low voltage
electrical infrastructure to the
plant. ABB’s delivery also
includes process automation
based on System 800xA for
two of the process steps.

These process steps
contain Elkem developed
technology for the purification
of silicon. ABB says System
800xA will provide precise
control of the processes,
while ensuring safe, reliable
operation and optimising
production and energy
efficiency.

Additional benefits are
said to include reduced
maintenance, engineering
and overall lifecycle costs.

The System 800xA solution
consists of several operator
workplaces, five AC 800M
controllers and one AC 800M
HI integrity controller for
about 3000 I/Os, using
Foundation Fieldbus to
communicate with the
various types of process
equipment throughout the
plant.