Siemens Industry News and Press

For the trade press
Erlangen, Germany - Monday, October 05, 2009

Italian navy orders two more submarines with Siemens fuel cell technology

For the Italian navy, the Siemens Industry Solutions Division is equipping two new submarines of the U212A type with fuel cell modules for air-independent propulsion. The systems are ordered by Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft GmbH (HDW). Delivery of the two submarines to the Italian navy is planned for 2015 and 2016. This will increase to 30 the number of submarines plying the seas worldwide with a Siemens fuel cell technology. The order has a volume of around 29 million euros.

Image gallery

U212A type submarine of the Italian navy equipped with fuel cell technology from Siemens near Taranto, Italy.

The submarines are being built at the Italian Fincantieri Cantieri Navali Italiani S.p.A shipyard. By order of HDW, Siemens is delivering two PEM (polymer-electrolyte-membrane) fuel cells each as core components of the air-independent propulsion as well as the associated automation and control systems. The solutions and systems used are part of the Sinavy SUB solution platform developed specially for submarines.

The PEM fuel cell system takes charge of the power supply, thus enabling air-independent propulsion (AIP) of submerged boats. The AIP system comes from HDW. Siemens is supplying the fuel cell system and delivering the associated automation and control systems based on the Simatic S7 platform. The fuel cells convert oxygen and hydrogen directly into electricity without generating noise or pollutants. They are distinguished by high efficiency and extremely slight signatures. Contrary to conventional diesel-electric submarines, submerged time is prolonged by a multiple, which benefits operative deployment.

The equipment supplied by Siemens is currently the most up-to-date technology available for non-nuclear submarines. The latest order is for licensed manufacture of the first lot belonging to this class. The first two models also arose out of German documentation in Italy and have already been in use by the Italian navy since 2006 and 2007.

Further information on solutions for merchant shipping and the navy at: http://www.siemens.com/marine

This press release is supplemented by a photo. You will find the photographic motif on the Internet at: http://www.industry.siemens.com/data/presse/pics/IIS200910926.jpg

The Siemens Industry Sector (Erlangen, Germany) is the world's leading supplier of production, transportation, building and lighting technologies. With integrated automation technologies as well as comprehensive industry-specific solutions, Siemens increases the productivity, efficiency and flexibility of its customers in the fields of industry and infrastructure. The Sector consists of six Divisions: Building Technologies, Drive Technologies, Industry Automation, Industry Solutions, Mobility and Osram. With around 222,000 employees worldwide Siemens Industry posted in fiscal year 2008 a profit of EUR3.86 billion with revenues totaling EUR38 billion. http://www.siemens.com/industry

With the business activities of Siemens VAI Metals Technologies, (Linz, Austria), Siemens Water Technologies (Warrendale, Pa., U.S.A.), and Industrial Technologies, (Erlangen, Germany), the Siemens Industry Solutions Division (Erlangen, Germany) is one of the world's leading solution and service providers for industrial and infrastructure facilities. Using its own products, systems and process technologies, Industry Solutions develops and builds plants for end customers, commissions them and provides support during their entire life cycle. With around 31,000 employees worldwide Siemens Industry Solutions achieved an order intake of EUR 8.415 billon in fiscal year 2008.

Further information and downloads at: http://www.siemens.com/industry-solutions

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