- Siemens is launching the innovative Frequency Stabilizer SVC Plus FS. It combines static var compensation with so-called supercapacitors for the first time.
- The SVC Plus FS can compensate for voltage and frequency fluctuations in just milliseconds.
- The space-saving solution fills an important technological gap to facilitate the energy transition.
With its SVC Plus Frequency Stabilizer (FS), Siemens is the world's first supplier to combine reactive power compensation capability with the use of so-called supercapacitors. The SVC Plus FS can feed the reactive power needed for stable grid operation in less than 50 milliseconds. At the same time, the up to 200 megawatts of electric power stored in the supercapacitors can be transferred to the grid at full load. As a result, the voltage and frequency, and thus also the grid, remain stable. This automatic procedure is triggered whenever the voltage or frequency exceeds or drops below certain limits. When fluctuations occur in a power grid, the first few seconds determine whether a blackout will occur. In such situations, a new solution developed by Siemens immediately supplies the energy needed in the necessary quantity, thus preventing a power failure. This is particularly important in power grids that are exposed to volatile infeeds, for example from increasingly more distributed and renewable energy sources.
- Bipole III is a 2,000 MW HVDC project enabling transmission of renewable energy via almost 1,400 kilometers
- Close collaboration enabled on time delivery of a highly complex project in a challenging environment
- The project significantly strengthens the reliability of Manitoba's electricity supply
The consortium of Siemens and Mortenson has successfully completed the ± 500-kilovolt (kV) Bipole III high-voltage direct-current (HVDC) power converter stations for customer Manitoba Hydro. The HVDC converter stations are an integral part of the Manitoba Hydro Bipole III transmission project. The entire transmission line will act as an "electricity highway", bolstering the reliability of Manitoba's electricity supply by reducing dependence on existing HVDC transmission lines, while also ensuring low-loss transport of renewable hydropower from northern generating stations to meet growing energy requirements. HVDC converter stations are specialized substations that support the conversion of electric power from high-voltage alternating-current (HVAC) to high-voltage direct-current (HVDC), or vice versa, a critical component to interconnecting separate power systems.
Siemens showcased its comprehensive offshore oil and gas solutions at the Offshore Northern Seas (ONS) August 27 – 30 in Stavanger, Norway. From offshore drilling, to subsea, to floating productions platforms, Siemens real world deployments of scalable, software solutions help upstream customers optimize decision-making, increase productivity, maximize capital efficiency, and improve safety and security. Visitors learned how more than 35 years of operational offshore experience – combined with our digital expertise – turned data into value throughout the entire value chain.
- Successful strategic alliance with Bentley Systems, which started in 2016, to be further expanded
- Joint investment initiative extended by an additional €50 million, totaling €100 million
- Ambition to further accelerate joint business
In the companies' latest Alliance Board meeting, Bentley Systems and Siemens decided to further strengthen their strategic alliance. The two companies have decided to extend their existing agreement, to further develop their joint business cooperation and commercial initiatives. Therefore, the joint innovation investment program will be increased from the initial €50 million funding to €100 million. In addition, as a result of the continuous investment of Siemens into secondary shares of Bentley's common stock the Siemens stake in Bentley Systems now exceeds 9%.
CIGRE 2018 took place at Paris from August 25th until 31st. Digitalization provides the key to success in the increasingly distributed energy landscape. Siemens experts explained how to make these changing energy systems even more safe and efficient. Digitalization enables predictive planning and new business models beyond just the provision of grid capacity.
- First call for 8 day trains and 13 night trains
- Total order valued at over €1.5 billion
- First trains to enter service in 2022
Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) and Siemens Mobility have signed a framework agreement for the delivery of day and 8 trains with a total of up to 700 passenger coaches over the next five years. The agreement has a total volume of more than €1.5 billion when all of the agreement’s services have been called up. At the signing of the agreement, ÖBB placed its first call for eight nine-car trains for day service and 13 seven-car trains for night service. The Viaggio coaches will be operated with ÖBB’s current fleet of Siemens Taurus locomotives. Commissioning of the first trains is planned for 2022. The passenger coaches will be manufactured at the Siemens factory in Vienna, Austria. The framework agreement can also be extended beyond 2023 by ÖBB.
- Maier to succeed Klaus Moosmayer, who is leaving the company as of November 30, 2018
Martina Maier (51) has been appointed the new head of the global Compliance Department at Siemens AG. Maier, who currently heads Siemens' Competition Department, will assume the position of Chief Compliance Officer on December 1, 2018. This position has been held since 2014 by Klaus Moosmayer (49), who is leaving the company at his own request.
- Partnership between Siemens and PowerCell Sweden AB
- Planned collaboration for maritime energy systems based on fuel cells
- Siemens to supply SISHIP BlueDrive integrated energy and propulsion system
- PowerCell, as a producer of fuel cell modules, to provide integrated systems
Siemens and Power Cell Sweden AB, a Swedish producer of fuel cell modules, are to enter into a partnership in order to drive forward the integration of fuel cell modules in shipping. The aim of the collaboration is to develop an energy supply system for vessels which is based on fuel cells. Siemens will supply the SISHIP BlueDrive integrated energy and propulsion system into which PowerCell will install its fuel cell modules. Possible joint projects could include energy supply systems for ferries, yachts, cruise ships and research vessels.
- Trade fair slogan "Digitalization in Machine Tool Manufacturing – Implement now!"
- Integrated, end-to-end and open ecosystem of digital platforms as a basis for productivity enhancing machine tool applications
- Innovative automation and technology portfolio for higher machine tool productivity
At the AMB in Stuttgart, the International Exhibition for Metalworking, Siemens will be showcasing the continuously advancing Digital Enterprise portfolio used for implementing Industrie 4.0 in the machine tool world. It helps both makers and users of machine tools to leverage the enormous potential that digitalization now offers. Under the motto "Digitalization in Machine Tool Manufacturing - Implement now!", Siemens will be demonstrating to users and manufacturers of machine tools at its 270 square meter Booth B03 in Hall 2 how end-to-end digitalization solutions work from the machine tool right up to the corporate management level and the cloud.
Siemens has reached yet another milestone in its journey to realize the many benefits of additive manufacturing (AM) and to lead the development of this innovative technology in the power generation industry. This time the company has successfully 3D-printed and engine tested a dry low emission (DLE) pre-mixer for the SGT-A05 aeroderivative gas turbine, with the impressive results showing a potential for significant reductions in CO emissions. This achievement further solidifies Siemens’ position as one of the world’s leading developers of innovative additive manufacturing techniques and uses in the energy industry."This is another excellent example of how additive manufacturing is revolutionizing our industry, delivering measurable benefits and real value to our customers, particularly as they look to further reduce emissions to meet environmental targets," said Vladimir Navrotsky, Chief Technology Officer for Siemens Power Generation Services, Distributed Generation. "Our achievements using AM are paving the way for greater agility in the design, manufacturing and maintenance of power generation components."The achievements resulting from using AM to manufacture this particular gas turbine component are significant. From concept to engine test, the development took only seven months, which is impressive for a component that requires such tight tolerances and works in high load and temperature. The DLE pre-mixer is highly complex with over 20 parts involved in the casting and assembly using traditional manufacturing methods. By utilizing Siemens qualified nickel super alloys as the AM printing material, the 3D-printed component requires only two parts and lead time is reduced by approximately 70 percent. 3D-printing of the DLE pre-mixer allows Siemens to simplify complexity in the production process, reduce external dependencies in the supply chain, and improves the geometry of the component, thus allowing a better fuel-air mix.First engine testing of the AM-manufactured DLE pre-mixer, which was 3-D printed in Siemens' AM center of competence in Finspang, Sweden, was recently completed and the data received is promising. It showed no start issues, all fuel transitions were accomplished successfully without any controls modifications required, there were no combustion dynamics or noise, measurable CO emissions reductions were realized and full power was achieved. These positive results reaffirm Siemens commitment to continuing to advance toward serial production of highly complex components, such as this one, using AM.Siemens' DLE solution for the SGT-A05 gas turbine reduces emissions through advanced lean burn combustion technology, eliminating the need for water injection. The DLE conversion reduces customers' operating costs associated with water treatment. Application of DLE does not compromise the high dynamic loading response of this aeroderivative engine model. More than 120 engines are successfully utilizing DLE technology to reduce NOx and CO emissions with 3.9 million operating hours accumulated (as of February 2018). ''And now, with AM technology we have an opportunity to go even further with emissions reduction for DLE combustion," said Douglas Willham, Siemens Director of Engineering for the SGT-A05.Last year, Siemens finished its first full-load engine tests for gas turbine blades completely designed and produced using AM technology. Earlier this year, the company 3D-printed and installed into customer's equipment its first replacement part for an industrial steam turbine. In early 2017, Siemens achieved the first successful commercial installation and continuing safe operation of a 3D-printed part in a nuclear power plant – an impeller for a fire protection pump that is in commercial operation. Siemens accumulated more than 30,000 hour of successful commercial operation for SGT-800 burners repaired with AM technology and for SGT-750 burner swirls manufactured by AM. All these combustor components are running in a very high load and temperature environment.