For some time now, Siemens Mobility Austria has been producing underground trains and night trains at its plant in Vienna-Simmering with electricity from a photovoltaic system with an output of 500 kilowatts, which is located on the roof of the factory halls. Now this plant has been expanded to one megawatt.
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The plant can supply electricity for 220 households. In fact, however, it is used to operate the robotic systems that power modern underground trains such as the current Type X carriages that will also run in Vienna in the future. In addition, Siemens Mobility Austria also builds carriages for the night trains used by the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) to connect Europe's metropolises at this plant.
Rail vehicles for two-fold climate protection
The plant was recently put into operation in the presence of Vienna's city councillor for economic affairs, Peter Hanke, who is also responsible for public transport. "Vienna is one of the most liveable cities in the world. Modern and attractive jobs are part of that, such as at Siemens Mobility, one of the largest industrial companies in our city," said Hanke on the occasion of the commissioning. "Exports play a significant role here, which is economically important for our city. I'm pleased that rail vehicles from Vienna are part of the global fight against climate change and that the company itself is also focusing on environmentally friendly technologies in the process."
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Environmental protection does not start at the platform
For Arnulf Wolfram, Managing Director of Siemens Mobility Austria, manufacturing with solar power produced on site is a matter of course "In the middle of Vienna we produce underground trains and passenger trains that enable people all over the world to travel in an environmentally friendly way without CO2 emissions," he explains. "But environmental protection doesn't just start on the platform: already in production at this large industrial site we combine more sustainability with greater economic efficiency."
Climate-neutral production from 2030
However, the solar plant cannot cover the abundant electricity demand of the railway plant. Therefore, Siemens also has to buy electricity from the grid. But here, too, the company has long since relied completely on certified green electricity. This is also part of the company's sustainability strategy. The goal: by 2030, Siemens Moblity Austria wants to operate completely without CO2 emissions. Since 2016, the company has been able to reduce annual CO2 emissions by 3,500 tonnes. This has been achieved by reducing the company's annual consumption of fossil fuels by 13,000 litres and of electricity by around 22,000 kilowatt hours. To achieve this, Siemens already switched completely to LED lighting in the approximately 7,000 square metres of factory floor space last year. (su/mfo)
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