Smarter, Energy-Efficient HVAC for India’s Infrastructure | ABB at ACREX India
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With India’s infrastructure rapidly expanding across sectors such as data centers, airports, and healthcare, the demand for energy-efficient HVAC systems is increasing. At ACREX India 2026, AR Madhusudan, Business Line Manager – Drive Products, ABB India, shares how ABB’s drives, automation solutions and high-efficiency motors are enabling smarter, more efficient cooling for modern buildings.
Q: India is witnessing rapid infrastructure growth across sectors such as data centers, airports, healthcare facilities, and high-performance buildings. What are the key factors driving the expansion of the HVAC industry in India today?
AR Madhusudan: Investments in several emerging sectors are growing much faster than traditional industries. While ABB has historically focused on heavy industries, we are now seeing strong expansion in areas such as data centers, semiconductors, and solar manufacturing.
Across these segments, the demand for efficient and reliable cooling systems is rising sharply. Whether it involves chilled water systems, cold water circulation, or air-conditioning, these facilities require precise and energy-efficient HVAC operations. Data centers, in particular, are expanding at an exponential pace, which is creating significant demand for advanced cooling technologies.
ABB supports this growth through its drives, automation and motor solutions. We primarily work with OEMs and collaborate with key industry players to introduce more advanced technologies. In addition to data centers, sectors such as hospitals and infrastructure are also expanding rapidly, increasing the need for reliable HVAC solutions.
Q: How is ABB enabling smarter and more energy-efficient buildings through its automation and drive technologies?
Madhusudan: Drives are essential for improving process efficiency and productivity. In HVAC systems today, the main focus is reducing energy consumption while maintaining reliable performance.
For example, data centers require compact and highly efficient drives. ABB has introduced wall-mounted drives that can be installed directly on chillers, eliminating the need for separate control panels. These drives are available from 250 kW to 355 kW and simplify installation while improving performance.
We also offer ultra-low harmonic drives that reduce electrical disturbances at the source. These drives ensure motors receive the required voltage and output power without compromising system efficiency. ABB has been among the early innovators in introducing such solutions to the HVAC industry.
Q: How can HVAC systems become more energy efficient through application-specific drives?
Madhusudan: HVAC is a focused market segment for ABB, and we have developed a dedicated portfolio of drives for it. Our ACH series addresses different performance and efficiency needs.
The ACH180 is an entry-level drive that offers advanced features such as built-in EMC filters and integrated functionality. For more demanding applications, the ACH580 is a premium solution with application-specific macros and built-in filters.
We also provide ultra-low harmonic (ULH) drives such as the AC580-31 series, which can reduce harmonic distortion to just 3% at the source.
Beyond drives, ABB offers automation solutions that further enhance efficiency. These include PLC-based chiller management systems and energy management systems for data centers and other facilities. Together, these technologies help optimize HVAC operations and reduce energy consumption.
Q: What roles do ultra-low harmonic drives play in improving power quality in modern buildings?
Madhusudan: Harmonics occur when drives switch and modulate their output power, creating disturbances in the electrical network. In conventional drives, harmonic levels can reach around 30–35%.
While this may be acceptable in some industries, facilities such as data centers, hospitals, and airports require much lower harmonic distortion because the equipment used there is highly sensitive.
Ultra-low harmonic drives address this issue by reducing harmonics directly at the source. Instead of installing additional external filters – which increase complexity and energy losses – these drives integrate harmonic mitigation within the system.
This approach improves power quality, reduces energy waste, and creates a more compact solution. It also supports sustainability by improving overall system efficiency.
Q: What makes ABB’s HVAC solutions particularly relevant for India’s expanding infrastructure ecosystem?
Madhusudan: ABB offers a broad portfolio designed to serve multiple market segments. For example, the ACH531 drive provides essential HVAC features at a competitive price, while the ACH580 caters to premium requirements with advanced capabilities.
On the automation side, ABB offers the AC500 PLC platform for high-end applications, as well as AC300 and CP300 PLCs and HMIs for entry-level systems. This allows us to address requirements ranging from basic energy-saving systems to advanced infrastructure projects.
We also work with more than 100 partners across India who specialize in HVAC applications. These partners support retrofit projects and energy efficiency upgrades, including replacing motors with higher-efficiency models such as moving from IE3 to IE5.
Recently, we completed a project in Andhra Pradesh where a chiller system was upgraded using ultra-low harmonic drives, high-efficiency motors, and an integrated PLC platform – delivering a complete ecosystem solution.
Q: What are the key highlights of ABB’s booth at ACREX India 2026?
Madhusudan: At ACREX India 2026, we are showcasing high-efficiency motors, including ABB’s Baldor-Reliance direct drive cooling tower motors that eliminate the need for gearboxes, reducing maintenance, improving efficiency, and enhancing overall system reliability. Our display also includes permanent magnet motors and exterior rotor motors.
We are also presenting packaged drive solutions called PDR (Packaged Drive), which integrates fuses, switches, protection systems, displays, and communication interfaces – eliminating the need for separate panel building.
Another highlight is our solar-powered solution that allows compressors used in chillers to run using energy from solar panels. We are also displaying IP55-rated drives designed for outdoor installations such as rooftops.
In addition, ABB is demonstrating ABB Ability Mobile Connect for drives, which enables remote troubleshooting of drives through a Bluetooth control panel and mobile device. This allows issues to be resolved quickly without requiring onsite visits.
Adding to the customer experience, we also offer OneCare platform, service agreements that ensure guaranteed uptime and maintenance support for customers.
