ABB OY

Their core work

ABB OY is the Finnish subsidiary of ABB, a global leader in industrial automation, electrification, and power technologies. In H2020 projects, they contribute power electronics, electric drive systems, and IoT/automation expertise to maritime energy, ocean energy, and industrial digitalisation initiatives. Their role focuses on supplying and integrating real-world industrial components — fuel cell powertrains for ships, power semiconductors, and IoT cybersecurity platforms — into large European demonstration and innovation projects.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

ABB OY entered H2020 through maritime hydrogen and fuel cell propulsion (MARANDA in 2017, FLAGSHIPS in 2019), reflecting ABB's established marine electrification business. From 2019 onward, their portfolio broadened significantly into power semiconductors, ocean energy harvesting (tidal and wave), maritime robotics, and industrial IoT platforms. This shift signals a move from pure marine power systems toward a wider digital-industrial portfolio spanning autonomous offshore operations and connected industrial infrastructure.

ABB OY is expanding from marine electrification into autonomous offshore systems and industrial IoT, positioning for the convergence of clean energy and digital infrastructure.

How they like to work

ABB OY operates exclusively as a participant or third party — never as coordinator — which is typical for a large industrial company contributing specific technology components to research-driven consortia. With 200 unique partners across 24 countries in just 8 projects, they engage in large, diverse consortia rather than small focused teams. This makes them an accessible partner: they bring industrial-grade technology and validation capacity without seeking to lead the research agenda.

Exceptionally broad network of 200 partners across 24 countries from only 8 projects, indicating participation in large-scale European innovation actions. Their reach spans most of the EU with no narrow geographic concentration.

What sets them apart

ABB OY brings the engineering muscle of a global industrial corporation into EU research consortia — they don't just study technologies, they manufacture and deploy them at scale. Their combination of marine electrification, power electronics, and industrial IoT means they can contribute hardware, software, and systems integration in a single partnership. For consortium builders, ABB OY offers credibility with industry end-users and a direct path from prototype to commercial deployment.

Highlights from their portfolio

• ATLANTIS
  Largest funding (EUR 608K) and most distinctive topic — maritime robotics using UAVs, ASVs, and AUVs for offshore wind farm inspection, bridging ABB's energy and digital capabilities.
• FLAGSHIPS
  Longest-running project (2019-2026) demonstrating large-scale marine fuel cells for clean waterborne transport — a flagship for ABB's maritime hydrogen ambitions.
• IoT-NGIN
  Represents ABB's push into next-generation IoT with federated data sovereignty and cybersecurity — the most software-oriented project in their portfolio.