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        Teaming up to shape a new energy economy

        Sustainable solutions to the challenges presented by an increasingly networked energy system call for significant change to prevailing mindsets and assumptions around roles and responsibilities. Companies that proactively join forces can create a solid foundation for lasting market success.
        Free ebook Read more about ways to tackle new challenges and disruptive changes of the energy system.

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        Change as an opportunity

        Ideally positioned to ride the transformation wave

        To actively shape transformation of the energy system and create value across the ecosystem, different market players have to come together in a spirit of open communication and mutual understanding.

        The increased decentralization of key grid building blocks, regulatory changes and the emergence of many new providers are raising market complexity overall and upping the pressure on energy providers and grid operators. At the same time, however, these developments are also creating new opportunities to optimize existing lines of business and leverage new market potential. But the window of opportunity is constantly shrinking. So companies have to be ready and able to find the right answers with speed – and act on them with purpose. 

        Win-win

        Creating benefits and adding value for different stakeholders

        Joining forces

        Aligning ideas and actions across the ecosystem

        The perfect fit

        Connecting technologies, systems and market players

        Win-win

        Creating benefits and adding value for different stakeholders

        Interview with Amory B. Lovins about the restructuring of the energy market

        More and more new players are shaking up the energy market. The many prosumers, communities, towns and companies that are deciding to take an active role in energy generation and financially optimize their own consumption are key driving forces here. At the same time, however, existing market structures are being transformed by innovative solutions delivered by a growing number of energy start-ups and new providers from industries beyond this sector. All of these groups are guided by different motives, from environmental protection through economic growth to off-grid self-sufficiency. 

         

        Sustainable change can only be achieved if everyone works together. And so it is important that solutions for the future give as many stakeholders as possible the chance to achieve their goals. Cross-company cooperation can also pave the way for innovative new business models. The egrid joint venture between German utility company Allgäuer Überlandwerk GmbH (AÜW) and Siemens is an exciting example of this – from a number of perspectives. On the one hand, this joint venture bundles the shared strengths of a traditional, regional energy provider with those of a global technology powerhouse. And on the other, egrid’s strategic mission is to share the insights gained from the joint IREN2 pilot project with different grid operators and help them intelligently expand their grids for tomorrow’s energy system through innovative consulting concepts.


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        Joining forces

        Aligning ideas and actions across the ecosystem

        "The energy system will be fundamentally changed by a large number of, generally smaller, market players and aggregators who bring these participants together. In addition, the barriers to entering the market will continue to fall as we move forward."

        Head of technology and innovation, German distribution network operator


        The successful transformation of energy systems worldwide hinges on close collaboration between experts across organizational, technological and national boundaries. As the energy world becomes increasingly networked and digitalized, the knowledge and experience of many different partners will be a key enabler in the development of innovative solutions capable of meeting rising requirements on both the consumer and grid side. This calls for the open exchange of ideas among stakeholders, but also the courage to forge new paths. 

         

        At the same time, these ecosystems must have the right structures in place to enable stakeholders to reach their technological and business goals as efficiently as possible. Given the crucial importance of security of supply and cost efficiency, energy providers and grid operators have an important role to play in shaping this collaboration. A growing number of pilot projects and initiatives are bringing together a wide range of different stakeholders. This is a clear sign that these kinds of networks are important drivers of change. 

         

        Siemens is currently working with three leading universities, two institutes at the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft and all four German transmission system operators on the DynaGridCenter project. This project aims to develop an innovative control center for the entire transmission system, capable of dynamically measuring and managing all load flows. To do this, the system analyzes a huge number of parameters and data sources, and provides grid operators with concrete, real-time recommendations on how to optimize grid management.


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        The perfect fit

        Connecting technologies, systems and market players

        MindSphere – the cloud-based, open IoT operating system from Siemens

        Changes across our energy ecosystem are increasing complexity as more and different hardware components, technologies, software solutions and players are added to the mix. And all of these elements have to dovetail to perfection to ensure networks can continue to be managed securely and quickly. In addition to this, new solutions have to integrate seamlessly into the existing infrastructure. As such, standards, open interfaces and, above all, platforms play a crucial role in ensuring that energy systems remain adaptable to changing dynamics and evolving customer needs. 

         

        The increased digitalization and automation of grids creates the perfect environment for effectively connecting all levels of an energy system – from operational control right through to business processes. This is exactly what Siemens’ MindSphere technology and software platform is designed to do. This cloud-based, open operating system connects the physical with the digital world. By aggregating and analyzing information from a vast array of data sources, it allows customers to increase performance and efficiency across their entire company. Building on close collaboration with partners and solution developers, MindSphere also offers an extensive range of powerful applications and digital services that can be tailored to the individual requirements and strategic goals of users. All of which creates a solid foundation for new, data-driven business models that enable customers to drive change in the energy ecosystem and capitalize on it.


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        I’m very excited to be part of a forward-looking project that can answer important questions of energy security. The results of the grid testing help to reduce the costs for network expansion by 40 percent. On a nationwide scale in a country the size of Germany, this sums up to several billion Euros.

        Arno Zengerle, Mayor of the energy village Wildpoldsried

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        Free whitepaper about distributed energy systems

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        Video

        Meet the experts

        Staying ahead of the transformation the energy markets are undergoing in the wake of digitalization is vital for future business success. We provide you with the opportunity to learn at first hand what renowned thought leaders expect from the digitalization of the future energy markets. Meet the experts and discover what is heading in our direction.
        Mirko Ross, founder and CEO of digital worx, gives his opinion on the role the IoT will play in future energy systems, the importance of open standards and open APIs, and how cyber security issues can be handled.
        Jon Ferris, Strategy Director at the London-based startup “Electron – Blockchain Systems for the Energy Sector”, sheds light on the role blockchain technology could play in the distributed, consumer-centric energy landscape of the future.
        Dr. Rahul Walawalkar, President and MD of Customized Energy Solutions India explains the important role storage and distributed renewable energy sources will play in the future.
        Learn more about the crucial role that Agility in energy plays for lasting market success.

        Agility-Guide (free download)
        References

        Examples for new ways in the energy market

        Actively restructuring the energy market calls for agility – with support from Siemens products and solutions. Some reference projects are listed below.
        Aspern Smart City Research (ASCR)
        Vienna, Austria

        Aspern Smart City – a vibrant research project

        • Power management in smart buildings and solutions for intelligent low-voltage distribution

        • 12 transformer stations with 23 transformers of different types

        • Recording and analysis of Big Data using urban data centers

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        NB Power
        New Brunswick, Canada

        Smart solutions for Canadian electricity

        • New business model prepares NB Power for the future

        • NB Power has an expanded range of products and services for power customers, such as consumption overviews and smart thermostats

        • Road map for smart grid development based on the Siemens Compass method

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        Northern Powergrid
        Northern England, UK

        Optimized grid management

        • The Grand Unified Scheme (GUS) combines battery storage, extended voltage control, demand response, and thermal load calculation in real-time and in a closed-loop process, for optimum network operation

        • Less voltage fluctuations which could occur as a result of renewable energy sources due to integration

        • Optimal network management and cost reduction thanks to fast implementation

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        Savona Campus, University of Genoa
        Italy

        The energy-efficient University of Genoa

        • Reduced operating costs to supply the campus

        • Larger proportion of renewable sources

        • Microgrid is used to research future technologies

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        IREN2 research project
        Wildpoldsried, Germany

        Decentralized power generation – economical and secure

        • Operation of the microgrids as an independent island network – disconnected from the main grid and using renewable sources

        • Stable and economical operation of the microgrid and the creation and handover of system services for the superimposed network

        • Five times more energy than the community itself consumes, in grid-connected operation

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        Portfolio

        Highlights from the Siemens product portfolio

        Soft- and hardware solutions from Siemens support our customers on their way to higher security of grid operations. The common goal: future-proof systems enable short reaction times, smooth operation, and reliability.

        Strategic business development and company analyses

        The Siemens methodology supports energy suppliers with a successful realignment by coordinating strategies, evaluating cost-effectiveness calculations, and through a combination of the right technological structures paired with clear positioning.

        Spectrum Power

        Spectrum Power is an energy management solution that provides maximum security for grid operation. The system platform for grid control centers enables renewables to be seamlessly integrated, identifies bottlenecks at an early stage and reduces downtimes to a minimum.

        FITformer REG

        The compact devices for low-voltage load regulation at three levels possess an additional control range on the medium-voltage side for optimum operation. They offer an economical alternative to expanding the grid.

        SIESTORAGE

        Fluctuations associated with the integration of renewables can compromise grid quality. SIESTORAGE guarantees a stable and reliable electricity supply. It can act as both an electricity customer and a producer.
        The Power Engineering Guide is the comprehensive manual for transmission and distribution of electrical energy.

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        Other topics on agility in energy

        Achieving the necessary agility in the energy sector requires many components to work perfectly together. Siemens offers the right products, solutions and services in a total of four different fields of action. Use the following links to explore the three others.