Optimism returns to PowerGen EU

Renk was one of the many vendors exhibiting at PowerGen EU[/caption]

Despite concerns about sluggish European economies and the low price of crude oil, a breeze of optimism wafted through the exhibit halls at the June 2016 PowerGen Europe show in Milan, Italy. Exhibitors such as Siemens, MAN Turbo, Voith, Reintjes, Renk, Sulzer, Kawasaki and others were pleased with increasing sales in China and India, and growing interest in new and existing products, featuring higher efficiency, novel designs and full digitization.

Digitization, in fact, was an oft-mentioned topic on the exhibit floor. Siemens, for one, is digitizing its value chain. The company unveiled its Digital Services for Energy powered by Sinalytics, a secure, scalable, industrial-strength analytics platform capable of integrating huge volumes of data from field service, global fleet performance, as well as other sources, such as weather, and fuel and labor prices. Over 300,000 devices are connected companywide through Sinalytics.

Beyond simply collecting this data or providing customers with a standalone software platform, Siemens is integrating the data from multiple sources where it can undergo advanced analytics.“We are generating insights and delivering digital services that help our customers achieve performance outcomes that matter,” said Aymeric Sarrazin, Head of Strategy for Siemens Power Generation Services.

Sinalytics also incorporates a cyber security-by-design approach that allows confidential data to be collected, transmitted and analyzed securely throughout all lifecycle phases. Supporting concepts include the configuration of hardware and software systems using cyber-protection technologies, explicit proof-of-identity of users, and strong authentication and confidentiality protection of data in transit.

By applying digitization and condition monitoring, Siemens and Profertil, an Argentine petrochemical company, were able to align the servicing of Profertil’s gas turbines (GT) to match its three-year plant overhaul interval. This increased the plant’s productivity.

Digitization is also benefiting Siemens’ wind-turbine customers. Using remote diagnostics,the company can monitor more than 10,000 wind turbines globally. That makes it possible to address 85% of alarms coming into its Remote Diagnostic Center without the need to visit the wind turbines. This translates into higher availability and operational efficiency.

And data-driven upgrades, such as Siemens’ High Wind Ride Through, allow turbines to operate at reduced power at high wind speeds. At the West Wind facility in New Zealand, the upgrade on 62 wind turbines resulted in a 2% improvement in annual energy generation and a reduction in high-wind-speed losses of 80%.

Sulzer is also stressing digitization. Its new Retrofit App helps users find ways to update pumping equipment, while improving reliability and efficiency. The app, designed for iOS and optimized for iPad, allows industries with pumping equipment to upgrade their existing assets regardless of type or make, and give pumping equipment “a second life.” The app is available on the Apple app store and as a download version for Windows on www.sulzer.com/retrofit-app.