Energy efficiency
Working together for a sustainable future
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A continuously rising energy demand combined with increasingly limited natural resources are challenging energy suppliers, industry as well as consumers to rethink how we produce and use energy. Energy efficiency, smart energy use, and energy savings are keys to meeting this challenge in a sustainable way.
Energy efficiency involves the entire chain of energy conversion – from effective generation to transmission and distribution of electrical energy to economical use in industry, transportation, buildings, and other consumers. Especially in the hot and sunny countries of the Gulf region, renewable sources like solar energy can play a key role. The reuse of water in this dry region is also crucial.
As a region that is building its future on some of the most advanced technology, Siemens holds the solutions to forward deliver highest efficiency. Siemens is the only company worldwide that supports customers with its own products and solutions along the entire chain of energy conversion. With bullet proof future technologies and unique global expertise, we can provide the most efficient energy system fitting local, ecological and economical needs.
The company is sponsoring the "World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi" and has entered a long-term strategic partnership with Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy initiative “Masdar”. Furthermore Siemens is a founding member of the Desertec Initiative to supply sustainable power for Europe, the Middle East and Northern Africa based on renewable energy sources.
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The production and export of fossil fuels has played an important role in the region for decades. And the region’s reliance on oil and natural gas revenues will continue through the middle of the 21st century. So there is much to gain from more efficient use of fossil energy resources.
Siemens offers leading-edge solutions for onshore and offshore applications in the oil and gas industries, including extraction, separation, gathering and treatment of crude oil and natural gas, enhanced oil recovery and post-separation treatment. With our energy-efficient products and solutions we are helping our customers improve their business performance, reduce lifecycle costs, and cut their CO2 emissions.
The oil company Saudi Aramco, for example, has been using the XHQ real-time operations intelligence platform for years. It allows Aramco to optimize production processes and improve business procedures. And at the beginning of 2011, Siemens and Saudi Aramco agreed to strengthen their cooperation for efficient use of fossil energy resources in Saudi Arabia. The cooperation covers low-emissions gas turbines, high-efficiency steam turbines, compressors, and blowers – and grants Saudi Aramco improved access to Siemens Oil & Gas Division’s rotating equipment and services.
A further example of efficiency in the use of fossil energy resources in the Middle East is the extension of its oil removal product and service offering in Saudi Arabia. For this, Siemens and MyCelx Technologies have reached an exclusive distributorship and service agreement that allows for the economical recycling of large volumes of water used in the petrochemical and oil and gas industries.
Combined-cycle power plants (CCPPs) are among the most efficient and environmentally friendly fossil fired power generators. They combine a gas-powered turbine with a steam turbine to make twice the use of the fuel they consume: Hot exhaust gases from the gas turbines are not carried off without being used, but rather generate steam for a steam turbine. Combining these two processes increases efficiency considerably. Higher combustion temperatures further enhance the overall efficiency up to 60 percent and more.
Shuweihat is the most efficient power station and desalinization facility in the world.
In Abu Dhabi, Siemens erected the Shuweihat combined power and desalination plant. The turnkey project can generate approximately 5,000 megawatts of electricity and 1.4 million cubic meters of drinking water daily – an important amount in a country where water is very scarce and precious. In Egypt, Siemens provides components and systems for three power plants. Each turbine can generate an additional 25 megawatts (MW) while reducing NOx emissions (nitrogen oxides) by more than 30 percent per turbine. In Oman, the two 750-megawatt plants Barka 3 and Sohar 2 will set new benchmarks of efficiency thanks to their state-of-the-art technology.
Combined heat and power (CHP) plants offer even greater energy efficiency. They convert fuel into electrical energy and heat at the same time (usually in the form of steam and hot water). These plants have a fuel efficiency of more than 90 percent, considerably minimizing nitrogen and carbon dioxide emissions.
In a world of climate change and limited fossil fuel resources, renewable energy sources are playing an increasingly important role. In the Middle East, there is an especially vast potential for solar power.
Siemens respects the planet's scarce resources driving us to make energy ever cleaner and greener. We create technologies enabling our customers to make energy sustainable, available and affordable for everyone, anywhere. For example, we are participating in the Desertec initiative to provide sustainable power from the Middle East and North Africa to Europe. The Desertec concept encompasses wind farms, solar thermal power plants, and transnational power highways to efficiently carry the clean electricity to Europe’s load centers. The Siemens portfolio includes steam turbines, solar receivers for solar thermal power plants, solutions for high-voltage direct-current (HVDC) transmission and distribution as well as smart grids. Additionally the company is the world leader in offshore wind farms.
Desertec combines wind and solar power with a network of transmission lines.
Renewable energy sources like wind and solar fluctuate depending on seasons and time of day. “Smart grids” are needed to accommodate these fluctuating power feeds. Siemens is optimally positioned to supply all components needed for an intelligent grid infrastructure. In the first phase of the visionary Masdar City project an innovative power grid, combined with advanced and energy-efficient building technologies, is going to be implemented.
The HVDC transmission system is an efficient, environmentally friendly means of transmitting power over great distances. HVDC minimizes both line costs and losses, thereby lowering the impact on the environment. And it is the only way to interconnect technically incompatible power grids. The Siemens systems are characterized by enhanced reliability, lower energy consumption, and reduced space requirements thanks to laser-pulsed power converters and 80 percent fewer components in the electronic control system. In Saudi Arabia, Siemens will supply technology for the stabilization of the high-voltage transmission network at the Hiteen, Quassim and Afif substations.
Gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) is another solution that helps to reduce transmission losses and save energy. The highly reliable GIS has a small carbon footprint, short installation times, high resistance to contamination, and minimal maintenance requirements. In the United Arab Emirates, Siemens supplied gas-insulated high-voltage switchgear for an air separation plant in Abu Dhabi. And the Abu Dhabi Transmission & Dispatch Company (Transco) has chosen Siemens equipment for the expansion of the emirate’s electricity grid.
In Qatar, Siemens has received major orders from the state-owned Qatar General Water & Electricity Corporation to supply substations and switchgear to expand the national power distribution network.
Energy-efficient public transportation, intelligent traffic management, and electromobility can all contribute to significant energy savings in transportation.
Trains are among the most environmentally friendly means of transportation. In 2009, Siemens equipped the rail link between Dammam and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia with latest signaling and communications technology, ensuring a reliable and solid transportation link between the two cities. In Mecca a modern rail transportation system helps pilgrims to travel quickly and comfortably between the holy sites in and around the holy city. The first phase of the Al Mashaaer Al Mugaddassah Metro Project was completed in January 2011. Siemens supplied the complete railway electrification for the project. The new rail link along the pilgrimage route is designed to transport 72,000 passengers per hour per direction.
Intelligent traffic control systems contribute to a smooth flow of traffic on the roads. Siemens equipped a command and control center for uninterrupted traffic surveillance and control in Abu Dhabi city with its 24/7 traffic monitoring systems. The SITRAFFIC Concert traffic management system helps guide the different traffic flows in an environmentally friendly and efficient manner. It aids drivers in making the right decisions and in responding to traffic congestion.
Saves energy: intelligent traffic management in Abu Dhabi city
Buildings can boost their energy efficiency tremendously by becoming smart and turning into so called “prosumers”. A prosumer is a building that is an energy producer and consumer at the same time. Using innovative building technology, prosumers can both generate and use (renewable) energy. Masdar City under construction in the emirate of Abu Dhabi is planned to be a carbon neutral, zero-waste city, using only renewable energy sources and sustainable, low-emission technologies. As a technology partner for Masdar, Siemens will implement an innovative power grid combined with advanced building technologies. In May 2011, the company opened a Centre of Excellence for Smart Buildings in Masdar City.
Energy efficiency in lighting can be achieved by using energy saving lamps and LEDs that operate considerably longer than conventional bulbs and use up to 80 percent less electricity. A 30 percent switch to energy-saving products alone could reduce global CO2 emissions by 260 million tons per year. Energy saving lamps can be used in buildings, car and street lighting or signaling systems.
The environment and users alike can benefit from energy-efficient home appliances. The energy consumption of refrigerators has been reduced by up to 80 percent over the last 20 years. The newest ovens, washing machines, and dishwashers use between 30 and 50 percent less energy. Replacing old home appliances with modern ones is an important step toward energy conservation.
Medical devices are another important product group in which energy can be saved. The MRI system MAGNETOM Essenza, for example, saves up to 25 percent of siting, electricity, and construction costs for installation. Its modern power electronics can help cut power consumption by up to 50 percent. Ninety three percent of the material and seven percent of the MAGNETOM Avanto’s energy can be reused. The CT scanner SOMATOM Definition uses 30 percent less energy and is almost completely recyclable.
Greater efficiency leads to greater recurring profit: By investing in energy-efficient technologies and solutions, emissions can be reduced and resources saved. This creates a sustainable basis for success and progress.
With Totally Integrated Automation (TIA), Siemens offers a comprehensive, universal range of products and systems for optimizing industrial processes and plants. With its open system architecture and a unique interoperability this software tool allows the seamless interplay of all products. It can be used to increase the productivity and efficiency of industrial and dockside cranes, such as the four ship-to-shore cranes that Siemens supplied to the Dubai Ports Authority.
Electric drives and motors consume up to 70 percent of all energy used in industrial plants. Energy-efficient motors help conserve resources. Premium-efficiency motors (IE3) are up to 10 percent more efficient than conventional IE1 motors. The additional costs of drives and motors with improved energy efficiency often pay off in 6 to 24 months.
With energy-efficient drives and motors from Siemens, energy loss can be reduced up to 40 percent.
Siemens has developed a three-phase concept to reveal potential energy savings in industrial operations. In the first phase, hardware and software identify the energy flows in a plant to indicate possible energy-wasters. Potential savings are then calculated in the evaluation phase, using energy-saving programs like SinaSave or SIMATIC Power rate to provide exact figures. Specific steps to realize the assessed savings are taken in the final implementation phase.
Water scarcity is a big challenge in the countries of the Middle East. The economic use of this natural resource is crucial. As global leader in water treatment and purification, Siemens helps its clients to treat industrial and municipal wastewater. It ensures that specific water quality requirements are met, while improving efficiency and reducing waste disposal costs.
Siemens provides demineralization equipment and condensate polishing systems for the new Marafiq Yanbu power plant in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia. The multi-million dollar water treatment systems will allow Marafiq to increase its power generation capacity to serve industries based in the cities of Yanbu and Jubail.
Multiple technologies allow Siemens to offer the most efficient odor control solution
Siemens also supplied an odor control system at the North Jeddah Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) in Saudi Arabia with guaranteed overall system efficiency. It is one of the largest odor control installations in Saudi Arabia. Over the years, Siemens has erected a number of odor control installations in Saudi Arabia, including a chemical scrubber in Wady Al Dawasir, six carbon systems in Riyadh, seven biological systems and four carbon systems in Dhahran as well as two biological systems in Taif.
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