SIPOS Press releases

SIPOS Aktorik (www.sipos.de), specialist supplier of variable speed actuators, has marked its tenth anniversary celebrating the achievement of its international objectives for expansion. Success on the global actuation arena has included doubling workforce numbers over the last decade to a current total of 77 people, the appointment of new agents and relocation to purpose-built headquarters. In 2008, a 30% increase in sales was achieved over 2007 and, despite the worldwide economic downturn, SIPOS has maintained this turnover level through 2009.

A previous track record as part of part of Siemens gives SIPOS a history in the actuation industry dating back 100 years. Key achievements reported include differentiating the SIPOS product range with high service standards. The company has also successfully confirmed its capabilities of supporting both standard and bespoke valve applications.

Commenting on SIPOS’ global growth, Dr Matthias Rebhan, General Manager and Head of Research said:
“Over the last decade, we have established an international network of distributors in all continents. We have also relocated our German headquarters to significantly larger, state-of-the-art premises in Altdorf that offer scope for further expansion. “Service has always been central to SIPOS’ work ethic and I would like to take the opportunity on the tenth anniversary of SIPOS Aktorik of thanking our staff and distributors for consistently ensuring the highest quality standards.”

SIPOS has set itself apart from other suppliers that support valve control applications with variable speed actuation technology. Specialist products that sit alongside SIPOS’ standard solutions are actuators for nuclear power plants and SIMA Masterstations.

Footnote: In 1999, Siemens AG outsourced its electric actuator subdivision including employees, expertise, documentation and production facilities: since that date, SIPOS has operated worldwide as a successful, independent company.

SIPOS Aktorik’s credentials in district cooling actuator installations has secured wide ranging contracts in the UAE. Contracts include Dubai Metro Project, the Yas Island Project, the Al Raha Beach development and Zayed Military City. The actuators control the cooling water flow in each installation and protect the systems’ hydraulics from water hammer.

Installations for the company’s standard and modulating actuators incorporate SIPOS’ variable speed products and PROFIBUS capability. Illustrating the scale of SIPOS’ work in the UAE, the Zayed installation comprises seven schemes in total to provide a contracted 90,000 tons of cooling across the military complex. Each scheme increases the efficiency of the cooling for the complex and provides a reduction of 60% in power generated in the grid.

The Yas Island scheme is acknowledged as a highly innovative project. The mixed use development is predominantly residential but also includes hotels, a water park, a race track and golf course. Once completed, Yas Island will have nine district cooling plants.

With expertise providing actuation technology for its growing customer base in the district cooling industry, SIPOS reports that the centralised production of cooling energy is a highly attractive, environmentally friendly solution – it has been proven to be a major contributor to greenhouse gas reduction in many cases.

Chilled water delivered via an underground pipeline to office, industrial and residential buildings to cool the interior air is recognised as more cost-effective than distributed, building specific cooling. Peak electric power demand is replaced by district cooling and storage using ice or chilled water: this benefits the local power grid by reducing peak power demand and alleviating power congestion due to power transmission limitations in cities. As a result, district cooling not only helps cool cities, it helps alleviate the challenges posed by high electric consumption.

SIPOS Aktorik, manufacturer of variable speed actuators and specialist in bespoke actuation solutions, has assisted Buisan in provision of a renewable energy irrigation control solution. A complete solar solution supplied by SIPOS includes panels, switching cabinet with GSM/GPRS module and 230VAC SIPOS 5 Flash electric actuator.

Located in the mountainous Pyrenees, the irrigation channel to Bouleternère from the Vinça dam is ideally suited for adoption of a solar system. The remote site is difficult to reach and the renewable energy solution guarantees power supply for water management purposes.

SIPOS reports that integrated GSM/GPRS technology allows full control of the flow control process: comprehensive data feedback is provided which means that engineers no longer need to trek to the site. The solution also eliminates the need for power cables that are labour intensive and expensive to install.

Global interest in the new technology is reported by SIPOS. The company recommends that managers of water courses in remote or challenging regions consider the renewable energy option.

SIPOS Aktorik, specialists in variable speed actuation technology, has developed new housing for its SIPOS 5 Flash product range. The design initiative is provided as a standard feature: benefits include IP67/68 protection, even in the event of disconnection.

Set apart from other actuation solutions, SIPOS products feature a travel-dependant, adjustable positioning time function which generates a linear flow through the ball valve. The technology enables fine tuning of operating speeds through ten different positions to prevent water hammer.

The advancement to the product’s housing includes a double-sealed round plug connection. IP protection has been proven, confirming that the new housing will withstand the infiltration of dust and that it is protected against both immersion and submersion in water.

SIPOS reports that the original 5 Flash product was launched in 2000 and, since that date, the actuator has developed a reputation for high reliability and the new housing further enhances the product’s reputation as a robust solution.

The company places emphasis on high levels of service to complement its advanced actuation design and confirms that this support will underpin roll-out of the enhanced product.

The latest power industry contract for SIPOS Aktorik, the specialist supplier of variable speed electric actuator solutions, is at E.ON's Franken 1 power plant in Nuremberg-Gebersdorf, Germany. The project demonstrates the full scope of SIPOS expertise, which includes on-site support.

Within the scope of the replacement of the 790 MW power plant’s control system, which will be managed by Siemens, SIPOS will install approx. 200 actuators / valves. The company’s remit extends to delivery plus dis-mounting old and mounting new valves with actuators. SIPOS will collaborate closely with Siemens in the commissioning of complete units.

The application is significant for SIPOS as it confirms the company’s capability to provide a comprehensive partnership service. Commenting, Heinz Mueller, the Siemens Project Manager responsible for delivery of the new control system at Franken said:

“We attach great importance to matching components and services from delivery through to commissioning and for the capability of one provider to offer a one source service. ”

Primary reasons cited by Siemens for the selection of SIPOS were the company’s partnership capabilities that extend beyond the supply of actuators. Additionally, SIPOS’ customer service credentials confirmed that the retrofit would be completed within a demanding time frame and led to the appointment of the actuator supplier.

A further advantage of SIPOS’ offer was the technology’s variable speed capability: SIPOS actuators have a unique capability of slowing down before reaching their end position, this was particularly attractive for this application as the solution extends the life of both the valve and its seat.

SIPOS Aktorik’s turn-key solar actuation solution has been selected by ExxonMobil to aid pipeline control at Notre-Dame de Gravenchon, France. The prestigious contract for SIPOS establishes the manufacturer of variable speed actuation products as an approved supplier to ExxonMobil and confirms the capabilities of the company’s solar system initiative.

Designed to aid ExxonMobil in a water pollution detection application, a complete solar system has been installed by SIPOS to operate a valve situated one mile from the control room that is without local power supply.

The solar actuation system from SIPOS does not rely on the grid and therefore offers a truly independent actuation solution. As a result, it is an ideal solution for ExxonMobil’s requirements at the Notre Dame site.

Notre-Dame de Gravenchon is ExxonMobil Chemical’s largest manufacturing complex outside the USA. The polypropylene manufacturing unit produces raw materials for packaging films, nonwovens and injection molding that are primarily used by the automotive and appliance industries.

ExxonMobil’s solar solution supplied by SIPOS includes actuator technology and solar components. SIPOS’s solar service includes full planning and specification; component configuration; a solar power module; a switching cabinet; a SIPOS 5 Flash actuator and remote control or time & sequence programmer options for a complete bespoke solution.

SIPOS Aktorik will confirm its expertise in the power sector and display its full portfolio of actuation products at PowerGen Europe, including its actuators for nuclear applications. The company has a growing client portfolio supplying a range of contracts from small CHP’s to major installations with variable speed actuation solutions.

 Recent power industry contracts include SIPOS 5 Flash variable speed actuators installed at a combined heat and power (CHP) plant in Germany. The CHP of the Rosenheim municipal utility converts approximately 60,000 tons of domestic and industrial waste into energy. A primary reason for the selection of SIPOS products as part of a modernisation programme was integration of frequency converters as a standard product feature which avoids water hammer and adapts to the needs of individual plant sections.

A further significant order for SIPOS in the power sector is for over 1,200 actuators that will be installed at a new RWE coal-fired power plant that is under development at Hamm, Westfalen, Germany. The contract follows the successful installation of over 1,000 actuators at RWE’s power plant BoA1 in Niederaussem, Germany, which has been operational for the last six years.
SIPOS is currently supplying over 2,500 actuators to RWE’s BoA2/3 power plant in Neurath, Germany.

SIPOS Aktorik has expanded its agency representation with the appointment of an established Austrian subsidiary of the IKS-Group. The IKS-Group will represent SIPOS in Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, Croatia and Slovenia.

Based in Vienna and founded over 30 years ago, the IKS-Group has an existing product portfolio including vacuum technology, blowers, compressors, filters and pumps. SIPOS’ variable speed actuators will complement the company’s established technology.

Commenting on the expansion of company’s global agency network, Gerda Noelp, an International Sales Manager for SIPOS said: “There are strong synergies between the IKS-Group and SIPOS – we have shared philosophies regarding a consultative approach backed by strong technical knowledge. Our new colleagues at IKS place strong emphasis on a responsive service which reflects SIPOS’ business ethos.”

The IKS-Group employs 250 people and has 35 members of staff based in Vienna. 

IKS-Group Web: www.iks-group.com

SIPOS Aktorik will be exhibiting at ACHEMA, which will take place from 11th to 15th of May in Frankfurt, Germany.
On display will be SIPOS’ full portfolio of actuation solutions including latest design innovations for SIPOS 5 Flash variable speed actuation technology.

New housing for the SIPOS 5 Flash range will be revealed with a ‘double-sealed’ round plug connection supplied as a standard product feature. The latest design initiative from SIPOS ensures IP67/68 protection, even in the event of disconnection. SIPOS report that the product’s established track record as a robust solution, even under adverse conditions, is reinforced with the design development.

Fieldbus will also be a key feature of the SIPOS stand. A full working display of a SIMA masterstation, which is widely adopted in water supply systems, refineries and tank farms worldwide, will be presented. The SIPOS SIMA masterstation, which serves as a reliable and safe link between field devices and the higher-level control system, maximises availability of connected field devices.

Also on display will be SIPOS’ integrated solar actuation system and the company’s range of SIWI nuclear actuators.

SIPOS Aktorik’s actuators have been selected by Mavel Srl to aid water management at Pont-Saint-Martin, in the Aosta Valley, Italy.
End-user Compagnie Valdôtaine des Eaux Compagnie, the region’s primary producer of hydroelectric power, required a solution to protect tanks and pipes during storm and flood conditions.

The application confirms SIPOS’ expertise at aiding management and regulation of water in remote regions. A key reason for the selection of SIPOS 5 Flash technology was the flexibility afforded by the company’s single phase actuation solution. The low current technology adopted by SIPOS means there are no restrictions on cable length. As a result, the position of the solar system is independent of the actuator mounting. Complete scope for selection of the best solar site is therefore provided and, in the Aosta Valley application, remote locations included woodland settings.

SIPOS 5 Flash variable speed actuators have been selected for a combined heat and power (CHP) plant in Germany.

The CHP of the Rosenheim municipal utility is a gas, fuel oil and waste-fuelled plant that incinerates domestic and industrial waste to produce energy for power generation, process steam and district heat. As part of a modernisation programme, SIPOS actuators were selected by the utility.

A primary reason for the selection of SIPOS products was integration of frequency converters as a standard product feature which avoids water hammer and adapts to the needs of individual plant sections with different output speeds for open and close movement.
SIPOS’ ability to mount actuator controls in an accessible, non hazardous separate location also appealed to the customer as this gives easy access and protects the functionality of the actuation technology.

SIPOS Aktorik, supplier of variable speed actuators, is undergoing an international expansion programme. Latest development news includes appointment of a new Sales Manager and agents in the Middle East and Vietnam.

The incorporation of an integrated frequency converter, which compensates for fluctuations in voltage and frequency, has successfully differentiated the SIPOS actuator product range.

Supporting growth in demand, Gunter Petri has been appointed as Sales Manager for Spain, Portugal and Latin America, with particular focus on the developing power plant infrastructure in Argentina and Brazil.

A global network of SIPOS agents is established and additional agents are sought for the growing organisation which supports valve flow control applications in the power and water industries.

SIPOS Aktorik, supplier to the power and water industries which moved into new premises in February 2008, has in the year to date recruited an additional ten people, bringing its total workforce to 70.

Latest appointments cover a range of roles including a new Sales Director, Sales Manager, Service Technician, Order Processor, Quality Assurance team member and recruits to various assembly teams.

The producer of variable speed actuation solutions is enjoying growing global demand for its bespoke variable speed actuation solutions, including increasing demand from China.

The company reports a 30% increase in sales from 2007 with strong demand for fieldbus technology.

Over 1,200 actators from SIPOS Aktorik will be installed at a new RWE coal-fired power plant that is under construction at Hamm, Westfalen, Germany. New version PROFIBUS actuation technology for high speed data exchange will also be provided by SIPOS.

The latest power sector contract awarded to SIPOS follows the successful installation of over 1,000 actuators at RWE’s power plant BoA1 in Niederaussem, Germany, which has been operational for the last six years. Additionally, SIPOS is currently supplying over 3,000 actuators to RWE’s BoA2/3 power plant in Neurath, Germany.

In line with other RWE applications of SIPOS actuation technology, the latest contract at Hamm, Westfalen will adopt Profibus DP V2 technology and see the company‘s products used in a range of valve control applications.

Benefits of the actuators provided to RWE include provision of variable output speeds to optimise processes and soft start/speed reduction in end positions for minimal stress on valves.

Commenting, Dr. Matthias Rebhan, SIPOS’ General Manager and Head of R&D said: “The new RWE power plant at Hamm is ground-breaking for a number of reasons. From a power production and environmental perspective, it will set new standards in energy generation. With regard to actuation, the plant is one of the first adopters of Profibus DP-V2 technology which will ensure high speed data exchange and enhanced information feedback which will contribute to the efficiency of operations.”

The new plant at Hamm is set to reach an optimal efficiency of 46%. While generating an equivalent amount of power, the plant is being designed to require 20% less hard coal. And, per kilowatt hour of electricity, it will emit some 2.5 million tons less CO2 per year compared to previous systems.

Variable speed actuators from SIPOS support a range of challenging valve control applications, including brine production for INEOS Enterprises in Mid Cheshire. INEOS’ brine and water business plays a pivotal role supporting the chemical industry in the North West of England providing brine for production of chlor-alkali products.

SIPOS 5 Flash actuators have been supplied to Holford brine fields where INEOS extracts around 36,000 m3 of brine each day. Weak brine is pumped from wells to saturators. The actuators are mounted on Pump Delivery Recycle Butterfly Valves and normally open over 80 seconds, however, if a reverse flow is detected, the actuator closes the valve in just ten seconds to protect the pump. The ability of the SIPOS actuator to provide flexible control in both routine and emergency operation has been key to selection of the product for this application.

Commenting, Ralph Gallimore, Control Electrical Engineer for INEOS Enterprises said:

“Speed of actuator response is critical in maintaining the essential production of brine for chlor-alkali products to support the local chemical industry. For some critical areas of the production process, actuators normally run at a relatively slow speed but, on occasion, need to accelerate to a high speed for rapid valve closure. The frequency converter integrated in SIPOS’ actuator solution gives complete control of the motor which gives the flexibility we need to precisely manage the speed, direction of rotation and torque.”

SIPOS has supplied SIPOS 5 Flash, PROFITRON 2SG5 part-turn actuators to aid INEOS Enterprises’ brine production process.

SIPOS Aktorik, the manufacturer of variable speed actuators, reports that it is the first to introduce PROFIBUS DP-V2 services to valve control technology. With over ten years experience in Profibus applications, SIPOS is providing the latest version of the fieldbus protocol for industrial and power plant applications.

The benefits have already been recognised and major power plants across Europe including RWE’s Neurath power plant units F and G in Germany (each 1100 MW) are among the early adopters of the new generation actuation technology from SIPOS.

Commenting, Dr. Matthias Rebhan, SIPOS’ General Manager and Head of R&D said, “Profibus is one of the most popular fieldbus protocols as it provides high speed data exchange and links PLCs with sensors and actuators. Established advantages of bus technologies include field wiring costs, ease-of-use and greatly improved information feedback.
“The introduction of Profibus DP-V2 to actuation applications is a significant step forward in plant control capabilities, process transparency, enhanced safety and increased productivity.”

Key features of the new Profibus DP-V2 protocol are summarised by SIPOS as detailed and precise event time stamp; rapid system diagnosis capability; slave redundancy in accordance with RedCom; safe data transfer and high fault tolerance.