Energy efficiency

Saving energy with efficient power transmission

Reliable and low-loss transmission is an important element of sustainable energy usage. Siemens energy management systems ensure the continuous reliability of one-third of all transmission grids in the U.S.

The transmission of power over great distances with the high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission system is both energy-efficient and environment-friendly. HVDC minimizes power losses and line costs of overhead lines for distances longer than 600 kilometers.

Siemens supplies high-voltage direct current technology for projects all over the world. Notable examples in the U.S. are the Neptune Project, a power highway between New Jersey and New York, and the Trans Bay Cable Project in the San Francisco bay area. For the latter, Siemens implemented for the first time its HVDC PLUS technology. The key advantages of the new HVDC Plus link are its increased network security and reliability due to network upgrades and reduced system losses.

Energy conservation with power distribution

Smart grid technology is another example of low-loss transmission and smart distribution. Smart grids enable a more efficient, reliable and secure power supply: Research has shown that by 2020, more than one billion tons of CO₂ emissions could be abated with the use of intelligent power networks.

The Hawaiian Electric Company is embarking on a project to develop a self-healing grid that will provide reliable electricity to eastern Oahu and Waikiki. This smart grid project will prove it possible to satisfy Hawaii’s growing energy needs without expensive construction and expansion in a fragile environment. Siemens will be contributing latest technologies to modernize the energy distribution infrastructure of eastern Oahu. An interactive, digitized, intelligent electric grid vision is becoming reality for Oncor, the largest distribution and transmission company in Texas. Oncor’s smart grid will connect power providers and customers to improve reliability in the deregulated Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) market and provide services across the Oncor system.

Smart electromobility

Electric cars have low emissions. By integrating electric vehicles into the smart grid, they become a part of the energy system instead of simply consuming energy. During peak power generation times – for example periods of strong wind or intense sunshine – electric vehicles store energy which is returned to the grid in times of high demand. The interaction of renewable energies and sustainable mobility has great potential of becoming electromobility’s most important contribution toward climate protection.

Electric cars are quiet, clean and sustainable. One million electric cars will be on the road in the U.S. by 2015. Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Jose, California, are the pioneering cities here and they will pass their experience on to other urban areas. The U.S. government plans to invest $140 billion and become the world’s leader in electromobility . Siemens is actively involved in a variety of activities in the field of electromobility and covers the entire process chain – from developing intelligent infrastructure solutions and charging technologies to researching the requisite drive technologies.

Energy-efficient homes

Buildings offer immense potential for energy conservation: They are responsible for 40 percent of our energy consumption and 21 percent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. Intelligent building technology positively impacts the energy efficiency, the conservation as well as the comfort of buildings, while also raising the productivity of occupants and companies.

Siemens is the world's leading provider of safe, secure and energy-efficient solutions for buildings and building infrastructure. As a service provider, system integrator and product supplier, our company offers building automation, HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning), fire safety as well as security systems. Integrated building and room automation systems can reduce energy consumption by up to 30 percent by controlling energy consumers such as heating, ventilation, air conditioning and lighting systems.

The Synco living home automation system saves energy and money. It allows you to control all kinds of devices in your home such as heating, ventilation, air conditioning systems and lights. The system provides a simple and comfortable way of using up to 30 percent less heating energy and lowering your CO₂ emissions at the same time.

Energy performance contracting

Performance contracting means paying for the cost of a building renewal project with utility bill savings that result from the installation of the new energy-efficient building system. Within the framework of energy-efficient contracting, Siemens determines and develops energy potentials by means of selective modernization and optimization. Not only does this lower operating costs, it also cuts CO₂ emissions, increases property values and enhances operating safety. Energy-efficient buildings with guaranteed lower energy costs create virtually no cost for the customer because the savings pay for the investment. Since 1994, Siemens has completed more than 1,000 energy efficiency projects that have cut energy costs by more than $2.0 billion and reduced CO₂ emissions by about 1.2 million tons which is the equivalent of approximately 300,000 passenger cars driving 20,000 kilometers a year. The market potential of energy efficient buildings in the U.S. is estimated at more than $20 billion over the next 10 years.

Buildings as prosumers

More and more buildings can become prosumers, meaning they not only consume electricity but also produce it. An increasing number of buildings in industrialized countries are equipped with photovoltaic or small wind-energy systems that transform them from energy consumers to active participants in the energy market. Due to intelligent electronic electricity meters, improved demand estimates and active building energy management, buildings are becoming more and more important as prosumers.

Industrial solutions for energy-efficient production

Industries are facing the combined challenge of substantially reducing CO₂ emissions while simultaneously increasing their energy efficiency. Sustainable success in both areas requires an all-encompassing and integrated concept. Siemens offers a wide range of energy-efficient industry products and systems for intelligent automation solutions in all areas of the manufacturing and process industry. They are based on our Totally Integrated Automation (TIA) portfolio, a comprehensive range of products and systems that enable the implementation of customized automation solutions across all industrial sectors.

A transparent energy balance is also necessary in order to ensure energy-efficient production. The Siemens energy management system B.Data creates this transparency by means of seamless energy and material balancing. It allows users to practice optimized and cost-effective energy management in the areas of controlling, planning and energy procurement.

Energy consumption with motors and converters

Electric drives and motors consume up to 70 percent of the energy used in industrial plants. Energy-efficient motors and drives help conserve resources thanks to their improved efficiency. The use of frequency converters in unregulated drives makes it possible to cut energy consumption by up to 50 percent. A remote water pump can save roughly $275,000 per year. The Siemens portfolio offers the right solutions for all requirements, from synchronous and asynchronous servomotors to servo gear and linear and torque motors – all of which are characterized by high load tolerance, power density, compact design and a high degree of protection.

The SINAMICS drive family is just as suitable for machine manufacturers and plant builders as for the process industry and building technologies. From basic single-motor drives to coordinated drives to multi-axis and motion-control drives for sophisticated and demanding tasks, SINAMICS offers the optimal solution for each and every application. Sizer software from Siemens is an engineering tool for planning drive applications with SINAMICS. It compares two drive solutions in terms of their energy efficiency, enabling their savings potential to be determined. A conversion function makes it easy to modify drive configurations that have already been engineered and to determine their effects on energy consumption so that the best option can be selected: An automated calculation of alternative drives indicates the most favorable energy balance.

Energy savings in industrial processes

SIMAIN is the Siemens modular service portfolio for improving plant availability, energy efficiency as well as the reliability and productivity of industrial processes. Whether it is saving energy, optimizing processes or outsourcing services – SIMAIN helps choose components from the selection of modular industry services and create customized solutions. All of our customers can rely on the Siemens specialists’ in-depth industry expertise as we advise and assist them in the development and implementation of individualized concepts and solutions that will improve their processes.

The Siemens environmental portfolio

The Siemens environmental portfolio provides innovative solutions to help reduce industrial CO₂ emissions. In 2012, products and solutions from the environmental portfolio enabled Siemens customers worldwide to reduce their carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 332 million tons.

Energy saving water solutions

With energy-efficient water treatment and management, communities, companies and industries can save energy and costs. Siemens offers the largest selection of electrical and mechanical water and wastewater solutions in the industry. The SIWA Network Management System for example delivers an energy efficient solution for water supply. Through optimized efficiency of the pump energy consumption and operating costs can be reduced. Among others, Siemens has implemented cost-effective and energy-efficient solutions for the water business for the Water Conservation Plant in Visalia, California, and the wastewater treatment plant in Palmerton, Pennsylvania.

Energy saving mobility

In Houston, Siemens upgraded over 10,000 standard vehicle and pedestrian signals to LED technology, resulting in up to 90% less energy use and reducing annual energy and maintenance costs for the city.

For long distance travel, the United States Conference of Mayors has published an economic impact study on high-speed rail. High-speed rail could soon transform the economies of American cities. The State of California plans to invest more than $2 billion to start a 220-mph high-speed rail line from Anaheim to Los Angeles and then move north to connect Southern California with the Bay Area. Siemens continues to network different systems in order to enable customers to transport people and goods as efficiently as possible. The Siemens Velaro is the world's fastest multiple-unit train in serial production. Its emissions are extremely low, bearing in mind its high transport capacity and low energy consumption. Showing high energy efficiency, the Velaro consumes only the equivalent of 0.14 gallons of gasoline per 100 miles per seat with a 100 percent load factor.

Energy-efficient appliances in healthcare

The world's population is changing. Low birth rates combined with longer life expectancies worldwide has lead to aging societies with a greater demand of cost-effective medical services. To establish long-term energy-efficient healthcare systems and make healthcare affordable for everyone, we need technological innovations that improve the quality of medical care and simultaneously help save money.

The MAGNETOM Verio is a good example of a resource-efficient healthcare product that sets the standard for diagnostic imaging. MAGNETOM Verio is the world's first MRI system to combine 3 Tesla ultra-high field technology with a 70-centimeter bore and Total imaging matrix (Tim) technology. By combining these features, Siemens confirms its innovative leadership in the field of open MRI systems: The MAGNETOM Verio delivers clear images, top-quality diagnostics and exceptional patient comfort.