Efficient energy use is the world’s largest energy resource.
Smart distribution and consumption
The existing electricity grid is not designed to accommodate the increasing amount of fluctuating current inputs from thousands of decentralized energy producers, such as wind parks and solar collectors. In order to be able to meet the requirements of the future, the world’s power grids will need to be modified and upgraded – they must become so-called smart grids
Smart grid
A smart grid is a power transmission and distribution network based on communication between all the entities involved in the electricity market. It encompasses the energy conversion chain from generation to end consumer. Smart grids combine large as well as small distributed power producers and consumers into an overall structure. They also allow end users to participate in the energy market transparently and flexibly, as interactive “prosumers” who both produce and consume electricity.
Siemens is world market leader in energy automation and participates in and supports national and international research projects: On May 15, 2010, the company signed a strategic cooperation framework agreement with the Wasion Group to jointly seek out and pursue smart grid project opportunities.
Green mobility
Transportation accounts for 25 to 30 percent of the world’s energy consumption, making it the largest consumer after industry and buildings. Apart from electromobility, the most important conventional opportunities of energy efficiency involve the intelligent management and networking of road, rail and air traffic.Furthermore highly efficient means of transportation must be implemented.Siemens solutions include the Velaro high-speed train, the world’s fastest and most eco-friendly series production trainset, as well as the Shanghai Metro and the Wuhan Urban Traffic Control System.
The Velaro high-speed train consumes only 0.33 liters of fuel per person per 100 kilometers.
Electromobility
Electric vehicles are the perfect complement to a smart grid, since they can offer mobile energy storage capacity. Electric car batteries can release energy back into the grid when there is little wind or demand is high. In Shanghai, for example, 10,000 to 22,500electric cars with a capacity of 40 kilowatts each could store enough energy to serve as a buffer supply for peak demand times. Thus, electromobility solutions combined with renewable energy can unfurl their full potential for climate protection, as it is currently being tested in conditions of actual use.
