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.
In many areas of the world, existing power infrastructure is stretched to the limit by growing demand for electricity. Reliable power supply systems are a major enabler of economic development, yet needs are growing at a pace faster than the ability to erect conventional power plants. The task at hand in these regions is to deploy efficient mobile power generating capacity quickly to fuel economic development. In some cases the need is temporary, and after some time the mobile power plant might be relocated to a different location to perform a similar duty.
Siemens has now specially developed its SGT-A45 TR gas turbine for this rapidly growing market – a new aero-derivative gas turbine integrated into a mobile unit that delivers an electrical output of up to 44 megawatts, can be installed and commissioned in less than two weeks and begin generating electricity immediately. This light-weight gas turbine offers outstanding power density, high fuel efficiency and good operational flexibility, making it an ideal choice for customers who urgently need power and regions with less developed infrastructures.
- 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.
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.
Demonstrating the company's commitment to supporting Iraq's power sector, Siemens has expanded an existing service agreement with KAR Group in Iraq to provide comprehensive operations and maintenance (O&M) for two newly added SSC5-2000E power plant units at the Khormala plant in the Kurdistan region.The 930-megawatt (MW) natural gas-fired power plant meets nearly 30 percent of the power demand targeted by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), supplying more than four million Iraqi people with reliable electricity. The extension of the service agreement is set to improve operational flexibility, availability, and performance of gas turbines for the next 15 years.The agreement between Siemens and KAR Group aligns with Iraqi energy production goals. According to the Mena Power Report 2017, the current power demand in Iraq stands at 21GW and is growing faster than supply. The Kurdistan Regional Government plans to increase capacity by building new power plants and increasing the efficiency of existing facilities."With more than 20 years of experience in O&M of power plants, we currently manage approximately 2,800 MW across the Middle East and North Africa region and over 16,000 MW globally," said Gianluigi Di Giovanni, Senior Executive Vice President of Siemens Power Generation Services in the Middle East. "Our global resources and fleet expertise enable us to provide complete plant services and management. The plant is truly a landmark project, supporting the development goals of the Kurdistan region. That's why we are proud to expand our collaboration with KAR Group to deliver reliable and stable electricity supply to people's homes."The Khormala multi-year agreement with Siemens covers the operation and maintenance of six SGT5-2000E gas turbines, six SGen5-100A generators along with the associated auxiliary and ancillary systems. It also includes the implementation of Siemens Power Diagnostics®, which is part of the company's "Digital Services for Energy" portfolio, to improve asset visibility, reliability and availability.Siemens data-driven services enable valuable data from different assets to be analyzed. From there, data is transformed into actionable insights—such as diagnostics, troubleshooting and condition forecasting—that can help improve plant reliability and reduce downtime. In addition, the data processed by Siemens Power Diagnostics® can help balance maintenance costs, improve inspection intervals and provide invaluable insights into operational risks.Siemens has managed the operation and maintenance of Khormala since 2013 under a multi-year services agreement. Currently, the company has more than 40 personnel on-site managing the power plant on behalf of KAR Group.
- 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.
The energy company Eni Norge, a subsidiary of Eni S.p.A. has joined the Siemens Subsea Power Grid Joint Industry Program (JIP). Siemens Subsea is developing a complete subsea power network with a group of partners, led by Chevron and including Statoil, Exxon and Petrobras, as part of a Joint Industry Program (JIP). The JIP is one of the main initiatives in the offshore oil and gas industry for advancing large scale subsea processing.