- Two back-to-back links with a transmission capacity of 500 MW each ensure a reliable electricity supply of Bangladesh's population and growing economy
- HVDC Classic technology helps stabilize the connected systems in the event of grid disturbances
- The high capacity power link helps to avoid transmission bottlenecks
In June 2018, Siemens has fully commissioned the second block of the high-voltage direct-current (HVDC) back-to-back link in Bheramara, Bangladesh, to connect the electricity supply networks of India and Bangladesh with a transmission capacity of up to 500 Megawatts (MW). Block 1 is in operation since 2013 and offers a transmission capacity of up to 500 MW. With block 1 & 2 operating in parallel the Bheramara HVDC back-to-back link has a capacity of up to 1000 MW – the highest reliable power capacity in Bangladesh. On July 27th, 2018, the trial run was successfully completed; however, Block 2 has been put into commercial operation since July 2nd, 2018, to support the customer's operating needs. From Bheramara at the Western border of Bangladesh, the 230-kilovolt (kV) grid of the country will be connected via a substation and overhead lines to India's 400-kV grid.
- The world's first gas-insulated switchgear without SF6 for 170 kV / 50 kA
- Vacuum interrupter unit and purified air replace SF6 as the quenching/insulating medium
Siemens and Iljin Electric, a Korean manufacturer of electrical systems and gas-insulated switchgear (GIS), have signed an agreement to develop an SF6-free GIS for the 170 kilovolt (kV) voltage level. The technology has already been developed by Siemens for applications up to 145 kV. This GIS uses treated air, known as "Clean Air", instead of sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) as the insulating medium. "This makes the GIS environmentally friendly and does not require any special precautions to be taken during manufacturing, operation, and recycling. The GIS can also be used at extreme temperatures, and there is no need to report the quantities of fluorine gas used.", explains Ralf Christian, CEO of the Siemens Division Energy Management.
- Holistic approach for smart, digital substations capable of handling demands of the power grid of the future
- Ensuring reliability, resilience and efficiency by using intelligent system components and IT/OT convergence
- Environmental protection ensured by integration of eco-friendly technology
Siemens has launched the concept for substations with the future built in – an integrated 360°portfolio of products and solutions based on Siemens' unique technical know-how and consulting expertise, at this years' CIGRE session in Paris. Global trends like decarbonization, decentralization and digitalization are disrupting the energy industry. These trends are posing challenges to energy systems worldwide by making them more complex and stressing the need for smart grid management solutions. As substations are the centerpieces of any energy system, they play a crucial role in the power grid of today and will gain even more importance in the future grid. Siemens is now offering a holistic approach for digital substation solutions making consistent use of all available data, state-of-the-art analysis and comprehensive data connectivity through MindSphere – Siemens' open cloud-based platform for the Internet of Things (IoT).
- High bandwidth to handle growing amounts of data
- Ideal for applications with the need for PoE++ in harsh environments
- Support for Ruggedcom CLP for easier in-field setup
Siemens is expanding its Ruggedcom portfolio with a new Ethernet 19 inch rack switch with Power-over-Ethernet support. Its high port density with up to 24 Power-over-Ethernet ports helps significantly reduce capital expenses by reducing the number of network devices needed. The RST2228P offers Power-over-Ethernet, precision timing and network communication on a single network, helping to reduce maintenance costs related to timing or power solutions that require dedicated wiring. The CLP interface port allows for easy replacement of devices in the field using the Ruggedcom CLP removable media to automatically apply the failed device's configuration to a replacement unit in the unlikely event of a failure. The device is rugged rated and features an operating temperature from -40 to +85 degrees Celsius, as well as electromagnetic interference (EMI) immunity. The product can be used in the harsh environments of Electric Power, Transportation and Oil & Gas industries and is ideal to handle ever growing amounts of data.
- 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.
- Sustainable and economical solution for freight transport in Germany
- Combined diesel and electric locomotive
- Available from the end of September 2018
Siemens Mobility will be presenting a new locomotive at the InnoTrans 2018, the world's largest trade fair for railway technology. The Vectron Dual Mode can be operated as both a diesel and electric locomotive. On electrified sections of track, the new locomotive is powered by electricity to save fuel and reduce maintenance costs. The locomotive can be switched to diesel mode on non-electrified sections. The Vectron Dual Mode concept enables operators to increase their sustainable value throughout the locomotive's lifecycle. The locomotive has been designed for freight transport in Germany and can be ordered from the end of September 2018.
- 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.
- 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%.
- 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.
- 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.