3D-printed oil sealing rings installed on SST-300 steam turbine operating in India
Siemens has reached yet another industry milestone in the area of Additive Manufacturing (AM) in the power generation industry with the company's first replacement parts 3D-printed from metal for an industrial steam turbine. The company is utilizing state-of-the-art AM technology to pave the way for greater agility in steam turbine component manufacturing and maintenance and to set new benchmarks for industrial power plant services.
In December 2010, Siemens received an order from Eurostar International Ltd. for ten interoperable 16-car high-speed trains, and the company ordered an additional seven in January 2015. The trains are based on the Velaro, the world's most diverse high-speed platform. Service with the first Eurostar Velaro was inaugurated in November 2015 between London and Paris through the Channel Tunnel. In May 2017, service also began on the route between London and Brussels. And the Velaro has been running between London and Amsterdam via Brussels since April 2018.
The train, designated as the "e320" by Eurostar, provides around 20 more passenger capacity than the previous Eurostar trains. With an overall length of 400 meters, the e320 is the longest member of the Velaro family and has seating for 900 passengers.
All 17 trains are currently in operation and cover a total of around 37,000 kilometers a month in service. Passengers are offered free WLAN access, USB ports and services such as TV streaming and films via an onboard entertainment system. In view of these special amenities, the e320 was named "Train of the Year 2017" by the National Rail Awards in the United Kingdom.
Siemens recently signed an agreement with Shanghai Shenergy Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (Shenergy Technology) to implement a high-temperature subcritical upgrade for a 320MW steam turbine unit at Xuzhou Power Plant, a subsidiary of China Resources Power Holdings Co., Ltd (CR Power) in Jiangsu province. It is estimated that the upgrade will enhance the unit's power output efficiency up to 42.9 percent, reduce its emissions by more than 10 percent and extend its overhaul interval from six to 12 years. This will increase the generation revenue of the plant while reducing maintenance costs significantly. The project is expected to be concluded in mid-2019.
In a consortium with the general infrastructure contractor Per Aarsleff A/S, Siemens has received an order to build a light rail system in Copenhagen, Denmark, from urban transport development company Greater Copenhagen Light Rail I/S. The contract will be implemented as a turnkey project. Commissioning of the system is planned for 2024.
Highlighting its commitment to supporting Pakistan in meeting its growing power needs, Siemens has announced the signing of a long-term service agreement with Punjab Thermal Power (Private) Limited to provide comprehensive maintenance, parts and repair services for Punjab Power Plant Jhang for the next 12 years. The agreement includes Siemens' Power Diagnostics, part of the company's "Digital Services for Energy" portfolio of data-driven solutions.With the fifth-largest population in the world, Pakistan is working to spur socio-economic development by delivering reliable and efficient power supply to industries and homes. Located in Haveli Bahadur Shah, Punjab Power Plant Jhang, is expected to add 1.3 gigawatts (GW) to Pakistan's grid, making it one of the largest gas-fired, combined cycle power plants in the country. It will also see the first deployment of Siemens' SGT5-8000H gas turbines in the country, selected for their high power output and record-breaking efficiency. Anticipated benefits of the agreement include increasing the availability of the power plant and reducing the maintenance costs. The agreement covers all the scheduled and un-scheduled outage services for two SGT5-8000H gas turbines, generators, related auxiliaries as well as the supply of spare parts and field services."Pakistan's energy sector is undergoing a transformational period to meet the increasing demand of electricity. We are very proud to contribute to this significant project," said Gianluigi Di Giovanni, Senior Executive Vice President of Siemens Power Generation Services in the Middle East. "With our services, cross-fleet experience and digital capabilities, we look forward to bringing value and on-ground support to Punjab Thermal Power, helping maximize the potential of the plant's overall operations."Siemens' Power Diagnostics use advanced data analytics to help predict and eliminate unplanned downtime, and improve power plant productivity by identifying operational challenges in advance. It will also allow the power plant's team to manage outages more efficiently.The current agreement builds on Siemens' contributions towards strengthening Pakistan's power sector. It comes three months after the company signed the largest ever power generation contract in the country to provide a complete power island solution for Punjab Power Plant Jhang.
Siemens has received an order from the Qatar Foundation for the turnkey construction of a tram system in the capital Doha aimed at transforming Qatar into a knowledge-based society. The order is worth more than 100 million euros. The scope of supply also includes signaling and communication systems, electrification as well as the depot equipment. Siemens will also be equipping four of the stations with platform edge doors. Nineteen Avenio trams will run on 11.5 kilometers of track without any overhead contact lines. The system will be installed on the university campus and serve 25 stations. The trams will be equipped with the Sitras HES energy storage system from Siemens, with energy being supplied at the tram stops.
Building on its commitment to supporting the energy infrastructure in Sudan, Siemens has signed a long-term agreement with the Sudanese Thermal Power Generating Company (STPGC) to provide service and maintenance for the power generating assets and related components operating at the 337 megawatt (MW) Port Sudan and 502 MW Garri power plants.
- First tranche comprises 24 trains
- Maintenance contract for 15 years
- Construction of a maintenance workshop
State-owned Israel Railways (ISR) and Siemens have signed a contract for the delivery of 60 Desiro HC regional trainsets over the next ten years. The order has a total value of around €900 million. The double-decker trains can be ordered in 4-car as well as 6-car configurations. Upon signing the contract, Siemens received the first call for 24 trains – six in a 4-car and 18 in a 6-car configuration. The order includes the maintenance of the first 24 trains over a period of 15 years, the construction of a maintenance workshop in Ashkelon, and further options for maintenance.
"This order is strategically important for us in two respects. For the first time in our company's history, we will be delivering complete trains to Israel. And also for the first time, we've sold our innovative Desiro HC train platform outside of Germany," said Sabrina Soussan, CEO of the Mobility Division.
On January 24, 2018, the most powerful high-voltage direct-current (HVDC) transformer began its journey from the transformer factory in Nuremberg, Germany, to China. The transformer will first be transported to the harbor in Nuremberg by special heavy load transporter, where it will be loaded onto a ship. Its journey will take it to Rotterdam via the Main-Danube Canal, and from there it will be shipped to China, where it will arrive after several weeks on the high seas. In July 2016, Siemens received an order to manufacture four transformers of this type. About a year later, the world’s first 1,100 kV transformer was completed and successfully passed the tests in the testing facility. The enormous dimensions of the transformer – 37.5 meters long, 14.4 meters tall, and 12 meters wide – posed a logistical challenge for the team. In operation, the transformer weighs just under 900 tons and its efficiency is well above 99% of the rated power. For the first time, the transformer will enable a high-voltage direct-current (HVDC) transmission with low losses over a record distance of 3,284 kilometers with a transmission capacity of 12 gigawatts. HVDC transformers are part of the converter station that convert alternating current into direct current at the beginning of the transmission line and convert it back again at the end of the line. The conversion from alternating current to direct current helps to transmit energy over long distances with low losses. Transformers are key components of an HVDC line: Thanks to the transformer, the Changji-Guquan project will be able to transmit direct current with a huge 1,110 kilovolts for the first time in the world. The new transformer not only makes the transmission of this record voltage level possible, but it is also the world’s most powerful tested transformer with a capacity of 587 megavoltamperes. Siemens has thus achieved a new dimension in high-voltage direct-current transmission. The HVDC line between Changji and Guquan will be operated by State Grid Corporation (SGCC), a Chinese grid operator. The connection is expected to begin operation in 2019.
San Francisco is considered an especially environmentally friendly city. The urban environment is characterized by an extensive public transport system. In September 2014, San Francisco's Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) has awarded Siemens a contract to deliver an initial 175 light rail cars at a value of USD648 million. The order included an option for additional 85 cars. One year later, SFMTA exercised its option for another 40 light rail vehicles for the public mass transit network. This is one of the biggest orders for light rail cars ever placed in the USA. The trains are being built in the Siemens plant in Sacramento. Today, every third tram or light rail vehicle in the USA is made by Siemens.