Presenter: Mr. Mehdi Gerivani / Siemens AG / Power Distribution Division E D SGA-EMEA G SGS

Abstract:

The global demand for energy is steadily rising, not least because of the world’s rapid population growth and generally longer lives. The demand for electricity is growing at an annual rate of three percent, faster than the two percent annual increase in the global demand for primary energy. The process of urbanization is continuing to accelerate, and ever larger amounts of electricity must be transported to heavily populated areas, usually over long distances. At the same time, the density and complexity of urban power grids are increasing

On the other hand, fossil energy sources are getting scarcer and worldwide, growing efforts to slow the threatening climate change demand the reduction of CO2 emissions. For power grids, this means an increasing integration of renewable energy sources such as hydro, wind and solar. At the same time, it also means further increasing the energy efficiency of the power grids in order to contribute to environmental and climate protection efforts and help keep energy costs under control. The growing international trade in energy, fueled by the liberalization of energy markets, and the supra-regional integration of power grids increasingly requires additional transmission lines to ensure the stability of the grids and guarantee power supplies.

To meet all of these challenges, an intelligent and flexible grid infrastructure, smart generation, and smart buildings will be essential.