Impressive look behind the scenes
In mid-May, the Nuremberg large transformers factory welcomed 80 customers
from Austria, Germany, and Switzerland for a customer symposium
siemens.com/energy/transformers
The huge roller shutter of Hall 95 is opening and offers
a view of the spick and span production hall. Usually,
this is the place where large transformers are repaired,
but today, several demonstration pieces from the
Siemens transformers portfolio are on display. There’s
a hum in the air and signal lights are flashing.
80 customers from Austria, Switzerland, and Germany
took the exceptional opportunity to take a look at
innovative applications as well as new services and
products. The demonstration unit for DC compensation,
which was only completed during the previous week,
makes it possible to experience how even low DC currents
massively increase the noise level of a distribution
transformer, and how compensation reduces the level
to the initial value. Other exhibits, such as the variable
reactor and the intelligent secondary substation are of
particular interest for utilities and TSOs. Other participants
gather around service solutions, such as SITRAM Dry and
SITRAM Reg. Customers from all power business segments
are present. Altogether, they represent the entire spectrum
of the energy chain: from power producers (utilities, onand offshore wind farm operators) to transmission and
distribution system operators and all the way to industry
customers and public utilities. They are convinced of the
Siemens transformers’ quality and outstanding product
properties and take the opportunity for an exchange of
ideas with the company’s top executives and among each
other.
Outline of a vision of the future
A theoretical introduction to the topic was given the
previous day: So-called »key experts« of the Transformers
Business demonstrated new technologies and illustrated
the optimization opportunities that customers have in
their market environment.
Wolfgang Hiller from Stadtwerke München points out that
»the EU Eco-design Directive is a major issue for us as a
public utility. So we’re really grateful for all the information
on the future rules. Moreover, alternative liquids and
transformer noise are important aspects to us.«
Two exciting presentations rounded out the overview:
Dr. Roland Bauer from the German TSO 50Hertz provided
a comprehensive overview of the network expansion as
the basis for the energy transition, and Michael Weinhold,
Chief Technology Officer of the Siemens Energy Sector
outlined a vision the the future energy landscape. Ludwig
Schneider, a Stadtwerke Ingolstadt delegate, found
Weinhold’s remarks particularly interesting: »This was a
great prospect of how the world of energy may develop.
Furthermore, we found the information about measure­
ment and operating data evaluation to be of particular
value for us.«
Answers for energy.
Which answers does Siemens provide?
The customer representatives returned to the factory for
the highlight of the day: an extensive tour of the factory
that included a glance into the uber-modern materials and
oil testing lab, where Ms. Ivanka Höhlein quenched the
visitors’ thirst for knowledge. »Several insulation oils,
especially ester oils and amorphous developments, are of
high interest for all plant operators. What are the latest
trends? Which answers can Siemens provide? All this and
even more was covered proficiently during the event,«
says Linde AG’s Kurt Eder.
New impetus for transformers
At the end of the second day of the customer symposium,
there’s the view of the clean assembly hall’s roof with its
orange-coloured transport cranes. Red-dressed assembly
staff are working busily in the adjacent hall. The venti­
lation system is running. The Energy Sector does not only
supply new transformers, but also updates »antiques«
with a capacity of up to 1,200 MVA (megavolt amperes).
A tad tired from the many impressions but in the best
of spirits, the customers are heading through the roller
shutter for the coach that stands waiting to bring them
to the airport.
Siemens AG
Energy Sector
Power Transmission Division
Transformers
Carolin Gorzolla, E T TR BD
carolin.gorzolla@siemens.com
Expert talks at Siemens‘ intelligent secondary substation
Publisher and copyright 2014:
Siemens AG
Energy Sector
Freyeslebenstrasse 1
91058 Erlangen, Germany
Answers for energy.