How ABB technology protects one of Switzerland’s most iconic hotels

The Dolder Grand’s commitment to consistent excellence goes beyond its Swarovski chandeliers and artwork by Warhol: innovation and service are highly valued in every aspect of their work. Behind the scenes, robots transport food orders so that front-of-house staff can focus on the needs of their guests.  

The same attention to detail is evident when it comes to fundamentals such as safety and energy: right down to their innovative, efficient power protection strategy. In the event of a power supply failure, the emergency lighting and computer systems are protected by ABB uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems.  

Pascal Louves, the Dolder Grand’s technical director, explains: “Each of the five parts of our building has two redundant uninterruptible power supplies. The systems are connected in parallel, and the load is distributed 50 percent, so that in the unlikely event of any single UPS failing, its twin can support the entire load, keeping corridors and exits illuminated and essential computer systems online.”  

In a phased two-year program of upgrades, ABB has installed 20 PowerScale and PowerWave-33 UPS systems with a power range of 20 to 80 kVA. They replace solutions originally supplied by GE Industrial Solutions, acquired by ABB in 2018. "We’ve been very satisfied with the service ABB provides,” says Louves. "When the GE systems reached the end of their technical life, it made complete sense to replace them with an ABB solution." 

ABB's UPS solutions have also provided a significant energy efficiency upgrade, says Fabio di Biase of ABB Power Protection: "With a 50% load, efficiency is around 5 percent higher than their predecessors and they also require less cooling power. With just the two 80 kVA systems alone reducing power consumption by around 13,500 kWh per year, ABB’s solution delivers significant energy cost savings.”  

The Dolder Grand has been the epitome of style and hospitality since 1899. Louves and the team are today just as committed to making the hotel a leader in sustainability and innovation, so that in another 125 years’ time it can continue to offer its guests unforgettable experiences.