Reduced On-Site Construction, Rapid Deployment
A prefabricated electrical house (eHouse), also known as a PowerHouse, Power Distribution Center, etc., is a prefabricated, walk-in modular steel-structured outdoor enclosure that houses medium-voltage (MV) and low-voltage (LV) switchgear as well as auxiliary equipment. The eHouse can be skid-mounted or directly installed on a flatbed trailer, enabling shorter on-site installation, commissioning, and start-up times, serving as a high-quality, high-efficiency alternative to traditional site-built substations and electrical houses (e.g., concrete or brick structures).
Close collaboration with key suppliers during design/manufacturing facilitates easier modifications and integration. Full testing of the eHouse (including all its components) prior to shipment reduces on-site risks. Its mobility makes installation and relocation easier, more convenient, and more cost-effective. The eHouse can be installed near major loads, reducing the size and length of power and control cables while also lowering energy losses.
Applications
The eHouse is increasingly popular in power generation, oil, gas, mining, and process industries. It is well-suited for projects requiring reduced on-site construction, especially in remote areas where specialized personnel are often scarce, labor is expensive, and management is challenging.
It is also applicable to new energy sectors and infrastructure such as electric vehicle charging facilities.
EcoFlex eHouse
The EcoFlex eHouse is a new family within ABB's modular eHouse product line. Unlike traditional eHouses, EcoFlex is based on pre-configured, pre-designed modules. Specific projects can flexibly select from a module library, using single modules or any combination of modules to achieve faster and more economical applications.
Typical applications include, but are not limited to, new energy (solar, wind power, energy storage), infrastructure development, temporary/emergency power supply, and electric vehicle charging facilities. In these applications, customers often prefer standardized solutions that meet functional requirements, thereby further improving efficiency and reducing costs.
Key Advantages
- Risk reduction: Transfers risk from the customer to ABB by coordinating design interfaces for all products within the contract, forming a single product solution
- Predictable delivery and cost schedules: Since most work is performed at ABB's factory, customers need not worry about local labor shortages, HSE, environmental, or industrial relations factors for this portion of the work
- Reduced time to energization, full factory testing, and reduced time and resources for on-site commissioning
- Simplified commercial contracts: A single contract packages the entire product, eliminating the need for multiple commercial agreements
- Customer resource savings: ABB manages the entire scope of supply, saving customers manpower resources for engineers and project management
Key Features
- Fully integrated solution
- ABB manages in-factory manufacturing
- Equipment installation, wiring, and electrical testing are completed before shipment
- Simple commercial agreements
- ABB as a single supplier providing the full range of products
