Market launch: Siemens erects a novel static frequency converter for E.ON

Sitras SFC plus is more efficient, more compact and quieter than previous systems

Erlangen, Siemens Mobility has received an order from E.ON Kraftwerke GmbH to erect the first static frequency converter of the newly developed Sitras SFC plus type for traction power supply. The order includes delivery, installation and commissioning of the 60 Megawatt plant at the Franken Power Station in Nuremberg-Gebersdorf, Germany. The innovative Sitras SFC plus converter requires less space, has a lower environmental impact and is quieter than the equipment previously available on the market. It is to commence operation in March 2011.

E.ON Kraftwerke GmbH has ordered the brand-new Sitras SFC plus type converter from Siemens Mobility. The order includes a turnkey container solution for two static frequency converters with 30 Megawatt (MW) power output, each including transformers, instrumentation and control equipment, protection and control systems. Innovative Siemens technologies such as the multilevel converter concept make the system environmentally-friendlier. Siemens engineers have succeeded in reducing power loss by around ten percent. Noise emission has also been cut. Moreover, the novel systems take up about 20 percent less space because they can be built to be more compact than any solutions previously offered in the market.

“The new concept benefits both the customer and the environment: plant operators save on land and building costs. The environment gains from fewer built-up and sealed areas,” says Dr. Jörg Schneppendahl, Head of the Turnkey Systems Business Unit at Siemens Mobility. “What’s more, less energy is lost during frequency conversion, thereby cutting CO2 emissions as well.” And the inhabitants of adjoining residential areas enjoy a clearly lower noise level than in the case of conventional plant.

The first plant is to be erected at the Franken Power Station in Nuremberg-Gebersdorf, where it is to convert three-phase current from the regional grid (50 Hz) for the single-phase traction network (16.7 Hz). It is to switch over from trial to regular operation in March 2011.

Static frequency converters from Siemens have been in use since 1994. The world’s largest plant with a power output of 180 MW is operating in Port Richmond, Philadelphia (USA).

The Siemens-Sektor Industry (Erlangen, Germany) is the worldwide leading supplier of production, transportation, building and lighting technologies. With integrated automation technologies as well as comprehensive industry-specific solutions, Siemens increases the productivity, efficiency and flexibility of its customers in the fields of industry and infrastructure. The Sector consists of six Divisions: Building Technologies, Drive Technologies, Industry Automation, Industry Solutions, Mobility and Osram. With around 222,000 employees worldwide Siemens Industry posted a profit of EUR3.86 billion with revenues totalling EUR38 billion in fiscal year 2008 (ended September 30). www.siemens.com/industry

The Mobility Division (Erlangen, Germany) is the internationally leading provider of transportation and logistics solutions. With its “Complete mobility” approach, the Division is focused on networking the various modes of transportation in order to ensure the efficient transport of people and goods. “Complete mobility” combines the company’s competence in operations control systems for railways and traffic control systems for roadways together with solutions for airport logistics, postal automation, traction power supplies and rolling stock for mass transit, regional and mainline services, turnkey systems as well as forward-looking service concepts www.siemens.com/mobility