POWER January 2022 - 20

EXECUTIVE INSIGHT
SPONSORED CONTENT
The future of energy transmission
will rely on intelligent products
The expansion and restructuring of the
transmission and distribution grids are
fundamental requirements for a successful
energy system today and in the future. This will
make it possible to transport renewable energy
more reliably and with lower losses to where it's
needed but rarely produced: to the cities and
hubs of the world.
Most governments have put targets and
laws in place that are derived from the UN
Sustainable Development Goals to achieve
climate-neutrality by the middle of the current
century. CO2e emissions are being taxed and
supporting technologies funded. The goals
result in a large increase in energy demands
due to the electrification of mobility, heating,
and cooling.
Consumers become " prosumers " as they
generate their own solar power, which includes
the ability to feed power to the grid. The large
fossil power plants that have been used to
stabilize the grid will be switched off over the
years to come. The combination of a higher
demand and much bigger dynamics - both on
the generation side with renewables and on the
consumption side - has created a big challenge
for grid operators in terms of maintaining the
stability and reliability of their grids.
To manage with these challenges, these
assets need to become more intelligent. Digital
technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT),
artificial intelligence, and digital twins have brought substantial
benefits to industrial companies. The Industrial Internet of Things
is already a reality in many factories across the globe. These same
technologies create enormous opportunities for the energy market
as well, and they help operators manage their assets in a smarter
way. However, in order to benefit from digitalization, data must be
generated first.
In 2018 Siemens Energy's transformers became Sensformers,
which come with optional connectivity features and can take
advantage of IoT applications and services. The Sensproducts
family today spans from power and distribution transformers
and switchgear to components like bushings, arrestors, coils, and
instrument transformers. They make the most important asset KPIs
across an operator's fleet transparent, provide operators with the
real-time status of their asset's health, and immediately notify them
of any anomalies.
The digital twin provides a digital representation of a product's
physical behavior. In a Sensformer, very precise insights into the
20
thermal behavior of the components allow for controlled overload
operation and detailed load simulations. At the same time, aging and
lifetime expectancy are calculated continuously and allow operators
to act accordingly. The benefits are obvious: a more flexible, efficient,
and longer utilization of the substation equipment. Sensproducts
are ready to integrate into existing operating infrastructure to add
an intelligent digital layer and make the lives of operators easier.
Digitalization is an opportunity and an enabler for managing
today's challenges. Products get even better over time with
continuous software updates, and investments in transmission
infrastructure today are secured so they can handle the challenges
of tomorrow.
Learn more at www.siemens-energy.com/sensproducts
Or request a demo via
sensproducts@siemens-energy.com
www.powermag.com
POWER | January 2022
https://www.siemens-energy.com/sensproducts http://www.powermag.com
POWER January 2022

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