Expo opens in Shanghai – Tough test for infrastructure begins

Siemens has been a pioneer and participant at world expositions for nearly 160 years. Back in 1851, at the Great Exhibition in London, the company received the exposition’s highest award for the pointer telegraph it introduced. The ties between Siemens and China at world expos also have a long tradition. At Expo 2000 in Hanover, Germany, Siemens portrayed Shanghai’s future in 2030 at its pavilion as well as successfully supporting the city’s bid for Expo 2010. And starting this Saturday – in the China Pavilion, Hamburg House and the German Pavilion – Siemens will be showcasing solutions relating to smart grids, energy efficiency, electromobility and the combination of traditional Chinese medicine with German healthcare technology.

On the exhibit grounds, some 150,000 LEDs from Siemens’ subsidiary Osram will illuminate the pavilions and boulevards in soft China Red, Golden Dragon or glittering white. These light-emitting diodes consume 80 percent less energy than conventional incandescent bulbs. Siemens is also providing power distribution and fire protection systems. The 60-meter-high pavilion of the Chinese host features a plethora of energy-saving building technologies from Siemens and is already very likely to become the green landmark of the Expo. Thanks to Siemens technology, the Hamburg House consumes less energy than nearly any other building of its kind in the world. The trick: heat from electric devices and building visitors is used as a source of energy.

Nevertheless, the total energy demand for the Expo and the megacity of Shanghai will be enormous. Nearly one-third of this demand will be met by the world’s most efficient coal-fired power plant, in Waigaoqiao. The latest Siemens technology is pushing the efficiency of this plant to 46 percent. Clean water is also in short supply in the megacity. Here again, Siemens plays a role, providing the technology that will be used to filter water from Lake Tai and supply clean water to Shanghai. To ensure that visitors arrive safely at the Expo, Siemens has delivered key components for 100 high-speed trains. When the route opens, it will transport passengers from Beijing to Shanghai in less than five hours. And Siemens has also installed China’s largest parking management system at the terminal station.

Further information and photos are available at: www.siemens.com/presse/expo.