ABB & Solar Impulse Form Strategic Alliance — Reveal Coming April 9

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Originally published on 1Sun4All.

The team at Solar Impulse released news that Switzerland-based ABB, a global leader in renewables, sustainable transportation and energy efficiency announced on April 6, 2014 that it will support Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg in their attempt to fly around the world in the new solar powered airplane, Solar Impulse 2, in 2015.

I reported in an earlier article that on April 9th 2014, from 3PM to 5:30PM Swiss Time, we can all follow live on www.solarimpulse.com the official presentation of the Round-The-World Solar Airplane, “Solar Impulse 2”. Add this event to your Google Calendar. [Editor’s Note: CleanTechnica site director Zachary Shahan will actually attend the unveiling, courtesy of ABB, and have exclusive interviews with the Solar Impulse co-founders Piccard and Borschberg.]

Official Unveiling Solar Impulse 2 | 09.04.2014

solar impulseSolar Impulse on the ground, Switzerland 2011 | © Solar Impulse | Merz | Rezo.ch

ABB and Solar Impulse Form Technology Alliance

ABB’s heritage of technology innovation in renewables, sustainable transportation and energy efficiency makes it an ideal partner for Solar Impulse, which is attempting the first round-the-world flight powered by the sun

The first-ever flight through the night with a solar airplane as well as record-breaking missions across Europe, the Mediterranean Sea and the United States brought worldwide attention to Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg with their Solar Impulse endeavor, demonstrating the enormous potential of clean technologies and showing how a pioneering spirit can achieve the impossible.

Now the Solar Impulse team is preparing for the ultimate technological challenge: to circumnavigate the globe in a plane powered only by the sun’s energy.

ABB CEO Ulrich Spiesshofer:

This partnership brings together two Swiss-based global leaders that are passionate about pushing the boundaries of technology and innovation to achieve a better world.

We believe in Bertrand’s vision, and we are convinced that by pioneering innovative technologies we will be able to decouple economic growth from energy consumption and environmental impact. Today, ABB is a global leader for solutions to enable energy efficiency, sustainable transportation and renewables and like Solar Impulse we are always challenging the boundaries of what is technologically possible.

Bertrand Piccard, Initiator and Chairman of Solar Impulse:

It was my dream to have ABB as technology partner of Solar Impulse. We have the same goal of improving the world by using energy more efficiently and conserving natural resources.

Andre Borschberg, Co-Founder and CEO of Solar Impulse:

Solar Impulse and ABB are technology innovators and pioneers. We both want to motivate people to use clean technologies; ABB and Solar Impulse will work together on key technologies like power electronics for our mutual benefit.

ABB is the world’s second-largest supplier of solar inverters and one of the largest suppliers to the wind-power industry. It is also a leader in integrating renewables efficiently and reliably into power grids. The breakthrough innovation of a high-voltage direct current circuit breaker in 2012 will enable the grid of the future.

  • In March 2014, ABB announced that it would be building the world’s largest network of new-generation, fast chargers for electric cars in China.
  • ABB’s installed base of drives for motors alone saved around 400 TWh in electricity in 2013, equivalent to the annual power consumption of 100 million European households.
  • ABB invested more than $1.5 billion in research and development in 2013 and has 8,500 technologists worldwide.
  • ABB is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry customers to improve performance while lowering environmental impact.
  • ABB improves energy efficiency across the entire value chain from exploration to consumption.
  • The ABB Group of companies operates in around 100 countries and employs about 150,000 people.

Stay current with all of the news about Solar Impulse 2 by subscribing to our cleantech newsletter or solar newsletter.


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Amber Archangel

-- I am an artist, painter, writer, interior designer, graphic designer, and constant student of many studies. Living with respect for the environment close at hand, the food chain, natural remedies for healing the earth, people and animals is a life-long expression and commitment. As half of a home-building team, I helped design and build harmonious, sustainable and net-zero homes that incorporate clean air systems, passive and active solar energy as well as rainwater collection systems. Private aviation stirs a special appeal, I would love to fly in the solar airplane and install a wind turbine in my yard. I am a peace-loving, courageous soul, and I am passionate about contributing to the clean energy revolution. I formerly designed and managed a clean energy website, 1Sun4All.com.

Amber Archangel has 195 posts and counting. See all posts by Amber Archangel