Could ABB Variable Speed Drives Save The UK From Flooding? Without a doubt December 2015 can certainly be remembered as the month that the UK floated into the New Year.  The mild winter and heavy rainfall is thought to be a result of warm water in the Pacific Ocean caused by a natural phenomena called an El Nino, this normally occurs every seven to eight years.  Temperatures and weather conditions from all over the globe have been affected causing wildfires in Australia,  a heat wave in American and destroyed crops due to drought or flooding.  Global warming has exasperated the situation causing the phenomena to cause more damage that it normally would.  (Guardian)

Failed Flood Defenses

If we accept that the effects of Global Warming are starting to have an impact on our lives and that flooding is likely to be a regular occurrence our flood defenses need to become more efficient.  Presently most flood defenses are in the form of a barrier that aims to stop water from reaching properties and businesses. This is only effective if the amount of flood water does not exceed the volume the defenses can accommodate. An example of this was the £6 Million flood defenses in Keswick which failed to contain the flood water causing untold damage to the properties nearby.

Variable Speed Drives In The Fens

If we look at areas of the country that are renowned for being waterlogged, such as the Fens in Cambridgeshire, and how the flood waters are prevented from causing damage to property.  The Fens is famous for its peat marshes, which have shrunk over time lowering the level of the land.  ABB variable speed drives are used in the St Germans pumping station situated in the Middle Level District of the Fens where land has been reclaimed since the 17th century.  The new pumping station replaced the original one built in 1934 because the equipment had become inefficient and unable to cope with increased volume.

ABB Protecting 20,000 Properties Worth £3.5 Million

There are six pumps powered by ABB drives so that the system can respond to adverse weather conditions.  It is anticipated that only three pumps will be used at any one time.  Variable speed drives allow the system to be controlled extremely accurately contributing to its success.  The ABB variable speed drives have prevented 20,000 houses worth £3.5 million getting damaged by flood water.  Eventually flooding in different parts of the country are going to become so frequent that measures such as this will have to replicated in other areas of the country.