Innovation at Siemens | Press and Analyst Event | December 8, 2015
Energiewende 2.0
A look at the future of our energy systems
A revolution in future energy systems
 By 2100, the G7 countries are planning to decarbonize the entire global economy. As early as 2050, Germany alone
expects to cover 80 percent of its energy needs from renewable sources. To achieve those goals, energy systems will
have to change fundamentally, and worldwide.
 Siemens researchers are sure renewable energy sources will replace fossil fuels much earlier than that. To allow Si emens to get ahead of these developments even today, both technologically and in business capabilities, its experts are
exploring how energy systems of the future will look, in several research projects covered by the “Energiewende 2.0”
strategy.
 The company’s global research will be concentrating on four main themes:

Enhancing systems’ capabilities: As part of the Energy System Development Plan (ESDP) research project, researchers have developed a software model that makes it possible to simulate for the first time how not just ge neration and transmission, but distribution and market design will change as more and more renewable energy
sources come online.

Coming up with innovations in “traditional” fields – for example in DC systems – and not just in power transmission, either. The outlook: The trend is toward “electronic” grids, meaning a broader use of converters using highperformance electronics in the delivery of electricity.

Growth in distributed power generation: Here the focus is on solutions for how different energy sources can work
together in the best possible way within multi-modal energy systems. A key role here will be played by the development of small and medium-sized (decentralized) power plants.

Developing new energy storage options: The initial focus of development here is on conversion to high-priced
basic chemical materials. The Siemens researchers have found a solution for using “green” electricity to convert
CO2 into valuable resources like ethylene or alcohols. In the medium term, the Siemens experts anticipate cost effective storage or conversion in the form of synthetic fuels like hydrogen. In the long term, reconversion to electricity could become a topic.
Siemens researchers simulate complete energy systems for the
first time
 We can’t know today how future energy systems will have to look if they’re to be based largely on renewable resources. So in the ESDP research project – the only one of its kind so far – Siemens researchers are studying and simulating what the requirements of future energy systems will be.
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 They’re analyzing what the long-term effects of having a large share of renewable energy sources will be – not just on
power generation, transmission and distribution, but also on the market. From that, they’re developing scenarios that
give a detailed picture of the energy supply of the future.
 The simulation is based on large volumes of data about such variables as regional consumption, power plant characteristics and changes in the price of electricity. Geographically, the ESDP has concentrated on the German power
system. But the approach is transferable to other countries.
 Based on their findings, the researchers can develop projections about the possible infrastructure and technology
needs of future energy systems, and identify key technologies. From that, Siemens can already develop new products,
solutions and business models today for the energy systems of tomorrow.
 Additionally, this technology is the first to be able to detect and allow early for specific risks and opportunities that
will arise when integrating large numbers of renewable energy sources into electric power grids.
Siemens researchers use green electricity to convert CO2 into
valuable resources
 The expansion of renewable energy use will mean that more and more electricity will become available. Which is why
it becomes even more interesting and important to put electricity to worthwhile uses – if possible, at a profit.
 Siemens scientists have found a solution for applying electric power to electrolyze CO 2 into various valuable raw materials. They can generate products like ethylene, carbon monoxide and alcohols that are of great value to industry.
 They’ve developed an electrolysis system for the purpose. Chemical compounds called catalysts charge inert CO 2 with
high-energy electrons. Depending on what catalyst is used, by varying the current density or the salts d issolved in the
water one can get a variety of end products: carbon monoxide, ethylene, or alcohols.
 Until now, the chemical industry has largely been dependent on petroleum – a dwindling natural resource – in order
to make its basic materials (to take ethylene as an example: raw material is petroleum, process is very complicated,
1 metric ton of ethylene sells on the market for up to € 1,200).
 That makes conversion processes that use only electricity and CO 2, and no petroleum, especially attractive.
 The Siemens researchers do not expect cost-effective storage or conversion in the form of hydrogen or synthetic fuels
to be available until the medium term.
Further information
Press feature | Innovation at Siemens:
www.siemens.com/press/innovation-at-siemens
Picture of the Future | Energiewende 2.0:
www.siemens.com/pof-energiewende-2-0