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Press Release07 October 2021Smart InfrastructureMunich
Austrian region Styria gets sustainable,
future-proof power distribution from Siemens
Medium-voltage switchgear at Münichtal substation uses clean air technology
Innovative insulating medium consists of components from ambient air
Fluorine gas-free power distribution solution enhances sustainability of Energie Steiermark Group
The Münichtal substation of Energie Steiermark Group in
Austria now has a sustainable medium-voltage switchgear from Siemens. The power
distribution system has been in operation since the end of 2020 and has just
been officially handed over to the customer after a trial period. This is the
first installation of fluorine-gas free switchgear from Siemens’
climate-friendly blue portfolio at a customer site in Austria.
Medium-voltage switchgear at Münichtal substation uses clean air technology
Innovative insulating medium consists of components from ambient air
Fluorine gas-free power distribution solution enhances sustainability of Energie Steiermark Group
The Münichtal substation of Energie Steiermark Group in
Austria now has a sustainable medium-voltage switchgear from Siemens. The power
distribution system has been in operation since the end of 2020 and has just
been officially handed over to the customer after a trial period. This is the
first installation of fluorine-gas free switchgear from Siemens’
climate-friendly blue portfolio at a customer site in Austria.
The Energie Steiermark Group relies on sustainable and future-proof power distribution from Siemens and is installing a medium-voltage switchgear with Clean Air technology at the Münichtal substation in Styria, Austria. The climate-neutral insulation gas Clean Air replaces fluorine gases and consists of natural components of the ambient air.
The main task of this gas-insulated medium-voltage switchgear
(GIS) is to distribute power economically and safely. The switchgear uses the
climate-neutral Clean Air insulation medium, which consists exclusively of
natural components of the ambient air. This new technological innovation from
Siemens not only eliminates SF6 as insulation medium but any gas mixture based
on fluorine. As a result, the new switchgear reduces the carbon footprint of
the grid operator's equipment installation. Other benefits include easy and
safe handling of the switchgear and effortless recycling at the end of its
service life. In addition to the high level of environmental compatibility,
digital applications make the new equipment future-proof and cost-efficient for
the grid of tomorrow.
“The sustainability of our infrastructure is key to the
success of the energy transition,” said Martin Graf, Member of the Board of
Energie Steiermark. “In total, we’re planning to invest more than 600 million
euros in our grids in the coming years. This project is another step towards
upgrading our central grid components in an environmentally friendly manner and
in cooperation with a highly competent industry partner. One of the key
challenges for us is to be able to properly feed in renewable energy from
distributed generation units in all parts of the country. This requires
regional, smart and sustainable solutions – just like in this project.”
Sustainability plays a major role in energy generation. More
than 80 percent of the electricity in Austria is generated from renewable
energy sources. “In addition to the environmentally friendly generation of
electric power, climate-friendly distribution is becoming increasingly
important. For this reason, we are pleased to support our customer Energie
Steiermark Group in decarbonizing its operations using our sustainable
technologies. Switchgear is a key component for safe, reliable and efficient
power distribution in all grid structures. That is why it plays an important
role in the infrastructure of today and tomorrow,” said Gerd Pollhammer, Head
of Siemens Smart Infrastructure CEE.
Switchgear is used in public and industrial energy grids to
feed energy from the electrical transmission grid into the distribution grid
and distribute it further. Distribution grid structures and switchgear must
adapt to the requirements arising from increasingly distributed renewable
energy sources as well as prosumers. This makes load flows more complex,
bidirectional, and more difficult to control.
The 8DAB 12 gas-insulated switchgear is part of the Siemens
blue GIS portfolio. Clean Air technology insulates the live conductors inside
the hermetically sealed switchgear. This insulation medium is composed
exclusively of natural elements in the ambient air, such as nitrogen or oxygen.
This means that no special equipment is required, as is the case when handling
fluorine gases or fluorine gas mixtures. As a result, the switchgear is easy to
handle throughout its life cycle. In addition, there is no time-consuming mandatory
reporting of the gas quantities used and emissions – today or tomorrow. The
sustainable blue GIS portfolio from Siemens retains all the proven benefits of
gas-insulated switchgear from Siemens using SF6 technology, including personnel
safety, compact size, cost effectiveness, reliability, long service life, and
maintenance-free operation.
Siemens Smart Infrastructure (SI) is shaping the market for intelligent, adaptive infrastructure for today and the future. It addresses the pressing challenges of urbanization and climate change by connecting energy systems, buildings and industries. SI provides customers with a comprehensive end-to-end portfolio from a single source – with products, systems, solutions and services from the point of power generation all the way to consumption. With an increasingly digitalized ecosystem, it helps customers thrive and communities progress while contributing toward protecting the planet. SI creates environments that care. Siemens Smart Infrastructure has its global headquarters in Zug, Switzerland. As of September 30, 2020, the business had around 69,600 employees worldwide.
Siemens AG (Berlin and Munich) is a technology company focused on industry, infrastructure, transport, and healthcare. From more resource-efficient factories, resilient supply chains, and smarter buildings and grids, to cleaner and more comfortable transportation as well as advanced healthcare, the company creates technology with purpose adding real value for customers. By combining the real and the digital worlds, Siemens empowers its customers to transform their industries and markets, to transform the everyday for billions of people. Siemens also owns a majority stake in the publicly listed company Siemens Healthineers, a globally leading medical technology provider shaping the future of healthcare. In addition, Siemens holds a minority stake in Siemens Energy, a global leader in the transmission and generation of electrical power.
In fiscal 2020, which ended on September 30, 2020, the Siemens Group generated revenue of €55.3 billion and net income of €4.2 billion. As of September 30, 2020, the company had around 293,000 employees worldwide. Further information is available on the Internet at
www.siemens.com.
As one of the largest service providers in Austria, Energie Steiermark's main focus is on sustainable energy efficiency and innovative service offerings in the fields of electricity, natural gas, heating and mobility. 1,850 employees dedicate their experience and skills to a fair partnership with some 600,000 domestic and foreign customers. When it comes to energy production, the company fully commits to renewable energy sources such as water, wind, solar energy and biomass. The State of Styria is its majority owner.