There were many lessons learnt in 2009, I think unfortunately there is a linkage between the financial system and what we call the real economy. Even though the basic need for power worldwide is huge, the population is growing, and the comfort of people goes in line with this, there is a huge demand for power.
Because of the crisis a lot of future investments have been put on hold for some time. So we see this in some markets where projects are being moved out because of unsure financing even though they need it there. I think it will be a dip because of financing problems but then it will come back quite quickly. I think with the energy markets this is just a delaying process, and we are going to see some good pros in the next years as we recover the time lost in those years.
In the energy fields we have been reaching on the gas turbine side a very high level of efficiency with technology. This is going beyond the 60% benchmark in a combined cycle, which is a world record. There is technology currently being built which is a 1,500km distance of power transmission. Siemens is building this in China.
With a transmission capacity of 5000 megawatts (MW) und covering a distance of more than 1400 kilometers the Yunnan-Guangdong high-voltage direct-current transmission system (HVDC) recently is the world’s most powerful of its kind implemented. Siemens is thus setting new benchmarks in energy-efficient transmission of eco-friendly electricity. High voltage direct current (HVDC) is the method of choice for spanning distances of over 600 kilometers (400 miles). From about this distance upwards, HVDC is the most cost-effective solution because the line losses are considerably lower than with AC power transmission.
How can this be practically implemented?
In this region you have a lot of solar power available, but the major consumption is further north. So if you think about the distance you could easily imagine in the Middle East having a lot of solar power generation sites and then you have a few lines moving north. With technology today you can sell it in Germany or Greece or Italy. The loss is only 6-7% so it is hugely efficient.
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