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Press Release10 May 2017Energy ManagementNuremberg
Siemens is building a system test center for converters in Nuremberg
Günter Willbold, Siemens Real Estate, Mirco Düsel, CEO of the Siemens Transmission Solutions Business Unit, and Mayor Ulrich Maly (from left to right)
Converters are part of high-voltage direct-current (HVDC) transmission technology and convert the type, voltage, or frequency of the current fed in for transmission. For example, alternating current generated for transmission over long distances is converted into direct current in order to mitigate losses due to electrical resistance. These converters are used in offshore projects and for overland power highways like those in the Ultranet project. The line- and self-commutated converters will be manufactured in the factory in Nuremberg. Diverse standard conformance tests must be conducted before products for a customer project can be released for shipment. Due to stricter requirements for the testing, Siemens is investing in a new, modern, and future-viable test lab for performance testing.
"Our system test lab will be one of the most advanced test facilities in the world," said Mirko Düsel, CEO of the Siemens Transmission Solutions Business Unit at the groundbreaking ceremony, speaking before guests from the business community and management. "With a new test circuit, powerful DC sources, and an innovative measurement and automation system using the latest software, we'll also be able to accommodate individual customer requirements in the future," Düsel said.
Mayor Dr. Ulrich Maly said: "I am very pleased with this EUR 35 million investment. It confirms Siemens' commitment to the future viability of this site on Katzwanger Strasse, which has a long tradition. It will strengthen the role of the plant as a center of competence within the worldwide network of transformer factories and further enhance Nuremberg's core competence in the energy sector."
In future performance tests, an innovative technology will make it possible to use higher currents and voltages in the plant than with the current test circuits. Variable-frequency settings will also facilitate test orders for the American market, among other things, which is expected to shorten test times by as much as 50 percent. Additional parallel test bays will permit not only standard conformance tests but also the implementation of long-term tests (continuous tests). With the high infeed power of up to 10 megavolt amperes, the plant is designed for parallel operation of all test bays and, at the same time, is equipped for the requirements of the next generation of converters over the coming decades. Despite the high performance requirements, high priority has been given to active energy management, which optimizes energy consumption in all areas of the factory.
Siemens AG (Berlin and Munich) is a global technology powerhouse that has stood for engineering excellence, innovation, quality, reliability and internationality for more than 165 years. The company is active in more than 200 countries, focusing on the areas of electrification, automation and digitalization. One of the world's largest producers of energy-efficient, resource-saving technologies, Siemens is a leading supplier of efficient power generation and power transmission solutions and a pioneer in infrastructure solutions as well as automation, drive and software solutions for industry. The company is also a leading provider of medical imaging equipment – such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging systems – and a leader in laboratory diagnostics as well as clinical IT. In fiscal 2016, which ended on September 30, 2016, Siemens generated revenue of €79.6 billion and net income of €5.6 billion. At the end of September 2016, the company had around 351,000 employees worldwide. Further information is available on the Internet at www.siemens.com.
Contact
Bernhard Lott
Siemens AG
Werner-von-Siemens-Str. 50
91052 Erlangen
Germany
91052 Erlangen
Germany
+49 (174) 1560693