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But in this particular copper-based superconductor, many of the electrons in the material don’t pair off; instead they form a distinct, elusive order (orange plumes) that had not been seen before.

According to a study by the Metatech Corporation, commissioned under Executive Order 13407 for assessment of vulnerability to geomagnetic storms, manufacturers presently have a backlog of nearly three years for all extra highvoltage transformers (230 kilovolts and above). Only one plant exists in the U.S.A. capable of manufacturing a transformer up to 345 kV. There is no manufacturing capability in the U.S.A. for 500 kV and 765 kV transformers, which represent the largest group of at-risk transformers in the U.S. power grid. The 500 and 765 kV transformers are the backbone of the grid that extends into regions that contain nearly 80 percent of the U.S. population, according to John Kappenman of Storm Analysis Consultants and Metatech Corp.

n addition to the energy segment, rail technology is also a very promising market in Russia – and one for which Siemens and its Russian partners can provide high-tech solutions. The joint venture established in Yekaterinburg with Russia's Sinara Group in 2010 has already received more than €3 billion in orders for the production of advanced freight locomotives and regional trains. Local manufacturing capacity – in particular, for the production of regional trains – will now be substantially expanded through investments of several hundred million euros. Siemens' joint venture in St. Petersburg for the production of drives systems for trains will also be expanded through additional investments of over €20 million.

For all these applications, the same challenges requiring solutions arise. To begin with, rising raw material prices have been triggering a strong trend towards cutting down the material input as far as possible throughout the entire manufacturing process. In addition, with space being a restriction, the allowable amount and volume of conductors to be incorporated in any of the above devices is limited. At the same time, the processes, which are controlled by means of electric signals, are growing more and more diverse so that an increasing number of functions has to be taken care of by each conductor. In particular when it comes to building automobiles, aircraft or aerospace vehicles, exceptional weight efficiency is requested nowadays in order to minimize fuel consumption. The flexibility of a strand constitutes another property that can only be accomplished by increasing the number of single wires used. Just take the following example: A strand composed of 19 wires with a diameter of 0.20 mm each will end up having the same cross-section (0.6 mm²) as another strand made up of 850 wires with a diameter of 0.03 mm each, with the flexibility of the latter being significantly higher.

The pair has carried out a life cycle assessment (LCA) of 2MW wind turbines in order to identify the net environmental impact of the production and use of such devices for electricity production

This represents something of a ‘show home’ example for the dream home of the future: sustainable, affordable, fast and made to order. Even Khrushchev and Nixon would have been moved to applaud.