Distributed energy systems and digitalization are two trends that reinforce one another and are driving the transformation of the energy world. Siemens is supporting these trends in a variety of ways, including with MindSphere, its cloud-based, open, and scalable operating system for the Internet of Things (IoT). At this year's European Utility Week (EUW), which took place in Amsterdam from October 3 to 5, Siemens presented some of its highlights for this topic. As in past years, Siemens once again invited German and international energy media to a press conference at the trade show. The conference focused on the EnergyIP smart grid application platform whose applications recently began running under MindSphere as well as a new MindSphere application developed by Omnetric, a joint venture of Siemens and Accenture, for an Austrian energy provider.
At the conference, Siemens informed industry media about how MindSphere can help utilities and power grid operators monitor their grids, analyze grid data, and optimize grid operation, and also presented a new controllable and adjustable medium-voltage DC transmission system. This system was developed for gird operators who need to enlarge their infrastructure to handle the increasing volumes of power fed into the distribution system from distributed and renewable energy sources and to keep their network stable.
- Greatly expanded product line of GAMMA instabus switching actuators for lighting and electrical loads
- Numerous control, override and diagnostic functions
- Much shorter installation time, simplified commissioning, lower maintenance costs
The Siemens Building Technologies Division has updated its GAMMA instabus product line with new switching actuators, greatly expanding its range of products for lighting control. The new actuators are available with switching capacities of 6, 10 and 16 or 20 amperes and four, eight and twelve channels each.
- Integration of location data in building systems and processes
- More comfort and safety for building users and operators
- Partnership with indoor positioning expert infsoft
The Siemens Building Technologies Division is adding location-based services to its digital service offering for buildings. These services link existing building infrastructures and processes with location-specific data. This benefits all building users: People working in the building enjoy enhanced comfort. For example, they are now able to use a smartphone app to individually control the room temperature and lighting in their immediate vicinity or find and reserve an available meeting room nearby. Location-based services help visitors find their way around a building more quickly and obtain the information they need. In addition, these services dramatically improve the operational processes in a building, optimizing room utilization, simplifying emergency evacuations and making building maintenance more efficient. Beyond that, it is easier to protect assets against loss or theft, take inventory and locate them at any time. This is important, for instance, to quickly find mobile medical equipment in a hospital.
From 14 to 17 September 2017, representatives from the worlds of politics and industry met at the New Mobility World to shape the future of mobility across industries. The event took place within the context of the IAA 2017. Under the banner "Shaping future mobility systems – from understanding to optimizing," Siemens exhibited at Booth 39 in Hall 3.1 with an array of current applications and solutions surrounding the topics of charging technology for electric vehicles and intelligent communication systems linking vehicles and infrastructure. Siemens offers a wide range of products and solutions that help shape the future of mobility already today.
- 10 Vectron MS and 20 Vectron DC
- Option for 20 additional locomotives
- MRCE fleet includes 111 Vectron locomotives
Mitsui Rail Capital Europe (MRCE), a full-service locomotive leasing company, has ordered 30 Vectron locomotives from Siemens. Ten of the units will be delivered as multisystem Vectron MS for cross-border operations in Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland and the Netherlands. Twenty further locomotives will be equipped as direct-current locomotives (Vectron DC) to operate in Italy. Delivery of the locomotives is scheduled to begin from January 2018. The contract with MRCE also includes an option for an additional 20 locomotives.
- First application starting 2020 in 24 DB-Regio Mireo trains
- New transformer type Tractronic® Thinity lighter and more efficient than existing models
- Rugged design allows flexible installation
Siemens will use the new transformer type Tractronic® Thinity for the first time in 24 articulated trains based on the Mireo train platform. The railway transformer is a key component since it feeds the train's power supply and thus guarantees interference-free rail traffic. Thanks to the new design, the transformer is considerably lighter and more efficient than existing models with the same rating. It also offers maximum flexibility for all installation situations with its intelligent construction. Starting 2020, the 24 Mireo trains will operate regional rail services (Regionalbahn RB) on the Offenburg – Freiburg – Basel/Neuchâtel (Switzerland) line, and on Sundays in the Kaiserstuhl from Freiburg to Endingen/Breisach. They will cut travel time for this route by 30 minutes.
Siemens is modernizing 15 converter transformers at the Cahora Bassa dam in Mozambique for the operator Hidroeléctrica de Cahora Bassa (HCB). The transformers form part of the HVDC transmission link built in the 1970s to transmit electrical power from the hydropower plant over a distance of 1,450 kilometers. The order volume is about €26 million, and the project as scheduled by Siemens will take three years.
The demands on power grids are growing continuously as the portion of renewables-based and distributed energy systems is increasing. Siemens and its project partners have been decoupled the local power grid in Wildpoldsried from the main power grid. For the small community this is a milestone, for the energy transition in Germany and the ambitions worldwide to decarbonize the energy system the successful demonstration sets an exclamation mark.
- Digitalization increases the value and competitiveness of buildings
- Siemens solutions leverage the improvement potential
- Optimal use of building data creates perfect places
At this year's Expo Real in Munich, Siemens will present solutions and services for the real estate industry under the motto "#CreatingPerfectPlaces." Combining the latest building technology with advanced analytics and digital services opens up a new dimension of building performance. Used consistently, the capabilities offered by digitalization meet all the requirements for sustainable, energy efficient, safe and comfortable buildings. This results in perfect places which increase the value and competitiveness of properties.
- DB Regio orders 57 articulated trains based on the new Mireo platform
- Service in network of Rhine-Neckar S-Bahn
- Staged commissioning beginning in December 2020
Siemens will deliver 57 Mireo trainsets to DB Regio AG, the local transport arm of Deutsche Bahn. Following the product's launch in the summer of 2016, this is the second order for Siemens' new regional and commuter train platform. The Mireos will serve the Rhine-Neckar S-Bahn (regional suburban rail network). The trains will be built at the company's factory in Krefeld, Germany.