Leverage the full potential of renewable resources and local energy solutionsThe energy landscape is changing toward decentralization and independence from the traditional central power supply model – toward an increasingly distributed energy system. This change is characterized by an increase of efficient and affordable renewable power generation solutions – from small to utility scale – as well as combined heat and power (CHP) and storage technologies. The growing utilization of renewable energy sources, the deregulation of markets, and environmental awareness reinforce this shift. Siemens meets this trend by delivering a customer-specific offering such as solutions for local energy, photovoltaic and e-mobility infrastructure as well as low-voltage components.
Siemens exhibited at the automatica 2018 with an array of integrated and user-oriented Digital Enterprise solutions designed to sharpen the competitive edge of both end users and machine builders. Exhibiting under the banner "Digital Enterprise – Implement now!", Siemens focused on ways in which industrial enterprises of all sizes can benefit from the digital transformation – along the entire value chain from product design and production planning through the engineering process to new services.
World Forum and Leading Show for the Process IndustriesUnder the motto "Accelerate the digital transformation – from integrated engineering to integrated operations." we presented at the Achema 2018 trade show specific applications for how to use the potential of digitalization to enhance efficiency, flexibility, and quality – and to shorten time to market. Production can be significantly optimized and made more flexible by integrating all components in instrumentation and control and management systems and by intelligently using all of the process data generated in a common data model – the digital twin of the overall plant. Maintenance effort and costs can also be slashed dramatically by using cloud-based applications and data-based services.
Under the motto "Digitalize your building," Siemens showed at the light+building trade fair from March 18 to 23, 2018 how commercial buildings can be comfortable while also offering economical operation. Encompassing 1,100 square meters, the Siemens booth featured smart products, solutions and systems. For this, Financial Services from Siemens offers the right financial solution.
On February 5, 2018 in Wunsiedel, Germany, Bavaria's largest battery storage system to date was dedicated by the Managing Director of Stadtwerke Wunsiedel (SWW) Marco Krasser, Secretary of State Franz Josef Pschierer, and Siemens Chief Technology Officer Roland Busch. The Siemens Siestorage system based on lithium-ion batteries has a capacity of 8.4 megawatts. It will ensure the future stability of the distributed power grid and opens up the possibility of the municipal utilities company's participation in the primary control reserve market.
Industry is advancing in giant strides towards digitalization and the utilization of IoT functions and applications. With MindSphere, Siemens has developed a cloud-based open IoT operating system with high performance capability to meet this growing demand.
To provide optimum support for companies facing individual, industry-specific challenges surrounding the digital transformation, January 24, 2018 saw the launch of a worldwide IoT initiative by MindSphere users and Siemens.
Scandinavia is the first region in the world to rely increasingly on battery-powered and thus environmentally-friendly technologies in the shipbuilding industry. After "Ampere", the world's first electrical ferry in Norway, and a follow-up order of the Finnish shipping company FinFerries, Siemens has now received an order from Norwegian ferry operator Fjord1. Ampere was put into operation in Norway in May 2015, and has traveled a distance equivalent to more than 1.5 times around the equator. With the change from diesel propulsion to battery, Norwegian ship owner Norled has reduced the cost of fuel by 60 percent. Now Siemens has tailor-made a suitable technical solution for Fjord1. With this contract, the first four battery-driven ferries in the world will run on technology developed and manufactured by Siemens.
"Elektra" - the newest member of the electric ferry fleet: In June 2017, the Elektra began regular operation between Nauvo and Parainen in the Turku archipelago. Battery packs, which are charged via the land-based charging stations in the harbor for use by the ferry, serve as the primary source of energy, with Diesel engines used as emergency power units. The Elektra is also Europe's largest car ferry. At nearly 98 meters long and 16 meters wide, the Elektra can transport up to 90 cars per trip. The ferry purchased by FinFerries will now be traveling this route every 15 minutes. The batteries will be charged in roughly five minutes while cars move off and onto the ferry. The two lithium-ion batteries each have a capacity of 530 kWh.
LO3 Energy, an energy-tech company set to disrupt energy grids across the globe, announced an investment from Siemens closing out its series A. In late 2015 Siemens and LO3 started collaborating on projects beginning with the Brooklyn Microgrid. Self-sufficient microgrids play an important role in an energy market that is growing through distributed energy systems — whether they are based on wind, sun, water or biomass — such grids are becoming increasingly significant. LO3 Energy is benefiting from Siemens' development of microgrids such as the one that has been operating in Wildpoldsried, a village in southern Germany, since 2014. While the Brooklyn Microgrid continues to grow, insights from the proliferation of the prosumers and consumers provides Siemens the rationale for building resilient grid systems based on local marketplaces. To date, the initial project has attracted more than 60 community members participating in the Brooklyn Microgrid, and LO3 and Siemens expect to partner on further projects across the globe. Specific terms of the investment were not disclosed.