Denis Opudo
Siemens AG is a Munich and Berlin-based company that has been operating globally for a period of 170 years. It is a global technology firm that believes in engineering reliable, quality, excellence and innovation products. With its operations across the world Siemens majors in digitization, electrification, and automation. It is also one of the leading manufacturers of energy efficient resources in the world. It is also the leading supplier of best power transmission and power generation solutions. Siemens is the initiator of infrastructure solutions, software solutions, automation and drive solutions for industries. Siemens Healthineers AG is one of the companies under Siemens. This confirms the fact that it is also the leading producer of medical imaging equipment. The equipment is like magnetic resonance and computed tomography imaging systems. Additionally, Siemens is a leader in clinical IT and laboratory diagnostics. It generated a net income of €6.2 billion and revenue worth €83.0 billion in its 2017 fiscal year that ended on 30th September last year.
Siemens emerged the winner of Digital Solutions of the year award during the African Utility Week Industry Awards. The award took place on 16th May this year (a week ago) in Cape Town. Siemens emerged the winner courtesy of its Siemens South Africa Head Quarters Micro Grid Project. Microgrids are a traditional power grid which offers reliable power. However, the effect of blackout can be costly and catastrophic. This is in case the grid is affected by security breaches or natural disasters. This is why utilities and organizations are partnering to develop flexible, resilient power systems known as microgrids. Microgrids change how people manage their energy sources. This is irrespective of if it operates independently or as one of the traditional grid.
This is a version of the centralized power system which has been scaled down. It is in apposition to generate, supply and control power in a small community or in larger areas. Microgrids are important since they are flexible and reliable, more secure, cost-effective, resilient and most importantly they incorporate and store renewable energy. Siemens offers a wide range of products, services, and solutions to help construct and run microgrids of any given size. They also generate and distribute electrical energy apart from controlling and monitoring microgrids.
