As the global population experiences rapid growth, more people around the world are moving from the countryside to the city. In addition to the inner-city challenges posed by the urbanization megatrend, there is also an increase in the average traveling distance. As a result, the challenges for train systems are also increasing. To meet these demands, Siemens Mobility and Infineon Technologies AG (FSE: IFX / OTCQX: IFNNY) have jointly developed new auxiliary converters to improve the efficiency of on-board power systems using power semiconductors based on silicon carbide (SiC).
- Attica-Crete interconnection will ensure a more secure power supply and increase integration of renewable energy
- HVDC project will reduce half a million tons of CO2 emissions in first year of operation
- Total order volume for Siemens-led consortium €370 million
A consortium led by Siemens Gas and Power (Siemens Energy) has been awarded a turnkey contract for two converter stations for the Greek high-voltage direct-current (HVDC) link that will connect Crete, Greece’s largest and most populous island, with the mainland of Greece. The project will enable an exchange of electricity of up to 1,000 megawatts (MW) to enhance reliability of the power supply and facilitate integration of renewable energy sources in the power grid. Customer is Ariadne Interconnection S.P.S.A., a wholly owned entity of the Greek independent power transmission operator IPTO. Commissioning of the interconnector is scheduled for mid-2023. Total order volume for the consortium is €370 million.
- Low-loss transmission of wind
energy for 1.1 million households
- Further contribution toward
decarbonizing energy supplies
Siemens Energy is supplying the
high-voltage direct-current (HVDC) power transmission technology for a further
offshore connection in the German North Sea. A corresponding contract was just
signed by the German-Dutch network operator TenneT and the BorWin5 Offshore
Consortium, consisting of Siemens Energy and Dragados Offshore. In 2025, the
platform BorWin epsilon, which is part of the BorWin5 project, will begin the
low-loss transmission of electricity produced by the EnBW He Dreiht wind farm
off the island of Borkum to the Garrel/Ost converter station around 230
kilometers distant. The transmission capacity of 900 megawatts is calculated to
serve over 1.1 million households with electricity. The project is a further
contribution toward decarbonizing Germany’s energy supply. BorWin5 marks the
seventh HVDC offshore grid connection project undertaken by Siemens Energy in
Germany with TenneT.
- Siemens will upgrade control and protection system of Moyle Interconnector
- Refurbishment increases security of supply, improves integration of renewable energy and enhances provision of ancillary services
Siemens Gas and Power (Siemens Energy) has been awarded the project to refurbish the Moyle Interconnector, a high-voltage direct-current (HVDC) link between Ballycronan More in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, and Auchencrosh, Scotland. Owned and operated by Mutual Energy, the Moyle Interconnector control and protection system is almost 20 years old and is being modernized to enhance its operation. The refurbishment of the 500-megawatt interconnector will increase the security and reliability of the power supply to consumers in the United Kingdom. The project to upgrade the technology originally installed by Siemens in 2001 is now underway and the refurbishment is scheduled to be completed in September 2022.
- An Avenio vehicle equipped with SiC technology spent one year transporting passengers in Munich and covered 65,000 kilometers in the process
- Energy use was cut by 10 percent and motor noise was reduced as well
- Joint research project conducted as part of the European development and research program PINTA
Siemens Mobility and Stadtwerke München (SWM) successfully completed a one-year test of semiconductor technology based on silicon carbide (SiC) in an Avenio streetcar in Munich in August. They have now presented the results of their research. The study found that the motor noise produced by the vehicle fell sharply and that energy use declined as well during the trips that the tram made on Munich’s public-transportation rail network. The semiconductor technology was produced by Infineon Technologies. The tests were conducted as part of the European research and development project PINTA. By taking part in the trial, Siemens Mobility significantly contributed to efforts to integrate SiC power semiconductors into rail vehicles.
- Dynamic load flow control solution for grid stabilization and resilience
- UPFC PLUS controls load flow in milliseconds
- Facilitating the increasing integration of renewable energy
With its new Unified Power Flow Controller, called UPFC PLUS, Siemens Energy is expanding the options for grid stabilization. The UPFC PLUS will help system operators stabilize the grid by dynamically controlling the load flow in alternating-current grids. Easy to integrate into existing infrastructure, the UPFC PLUS improves the efficiency of today’s power grid while providing the grid stability and resilience required in the ever-changing energy landscape.
- Viking Link ensures increased security of supply and integration of renewable energy
- Siemens to deliver both HVDC converter stations
Siemens has been awarded a contract to deliver two converter stations for the first high-voltage direct-current (HVDC) link between Great Britain and Denmark. Viking Link will enable the exchange of electricity up to 1,400 megawatts (MW) to provide increased power-supply reliability and security to consumers in both countries. By allowing transmission to flow in both directions, Viking Link will support the integration of renewable energy sources into the power grid. The interconnector is being jointly developed by National Grid Ventures (Great Britain) and Energinet (Denmark) via National Grid Viking Link Ltd. and Energinet Eltransmission A/S. Viking Link is scheduled to begin commercial operation at the end of 2023.
- Siemens will refurbish 30-year-old HVDC back-to-back system in the State of Madhya Pradesh in India
- Modernization will extend the lifetime to ensure reliable power supply
- First Siemens refurbishment project of a third-party HVDC system
Power Grid Corporation of India (POWERGRID), the Central Transmission Utility of India, has chosen Siemens to modernize the country's first and oldest high voltage direct current (HVDC) link, Vindhyachal. Located in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, the 500-megawatt HVDC back-to-back system was put into operation in 1989 to interconnect the asynchronous 400-kilovolt alternating current networks of the Northern and Western regions. By installing its latest HVDC components Siemens will extend the useful life of the link. This will be the first Siemens HVDC modernization project in India and globally the company's first refurbishment of a third-party system involving replacement of the thyristor valves. The upgrade is expected to be completed in 2021.