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Torresol energy,sener supports

thermosolar power

Torresol energy,sener supports

thermosolar power

Manuel PiñeiroThe Spanish Ambassador to United Arab Emirates

Actuation and Control Systems in the IRIS-T

FORAN, 45 years as a world reference

Manuel PiñeiroThe Spanish Ambassador to United Arab Emirates

Actuation and Control Systems in the IRIS-T

FORAN, 45 years as a world reference

www.sener.esMadrid – Barcelona – Bilbao – Valencia – Seville – Algiers - Buenos Aires – Lisbon - Mexico DF - Okayama (Japan) - San Francisco – Warsaw

www.sener.es

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Contributors:

fernando Alonso, Verónica Alonso, jerónimo Angulo, Pedro javier Arroyo, josé manuel belmonte, joaquín botella, josé gregorio briz, Pablo campo, Alfonso cebollero, ignacio cerezo, Luis gabellieri, carlos gonzá-lez, David gonzález, ramón jesús gonzález, bob Hexter, salvador Llorente, Álvaro Lorente, josé c. martín, francesc massabé, nuria noguera, josé olaso, ricardo rebollo, josé rodríguez, Luis fernando sánchez, jesús ignacio santos, Anes sassi, Anna schilling, Daniel schmitt, Arturo sibaja, santiago terol, mirko to-man, ramón Vilardell and gabriel ybarra.

Published by: sener communication Department.edit staff: oihana casas, Pilar garcía and rosana madroñal.Photographic documentation: oihana casas, Pilar garcía and Lourdes olabarria.Layout: KAixo, taller de diseño gráfico.Legal deposit number:

04 Article Torresol Energy, SENER supports thermosolar power

08 Protagonists Extracts from the press conference from Torresol Energy’s presentation

10 Tribune Manuel Piñeiro, the Spanish Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates

12 Up-to-date: Corporate Space Aeronautic and Vehicles Actuation and Control Systems Power and Process Civil and Architecture Marine

28 Group

30 Technology FORAN, 45 years as a world reference

32 Media SENER discovers the possibilities of thermosolar energy for National Geographic TV

34 In Brief

Cover picture: SENER President, Jorge Sendagorta, and the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohammad bin Zayed Al Nahyan, at the World Future Energy Summit 2008.

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Torresol Energy, SENER supports thermosolar powerA clean, sustainable and inexhaustible energy source described as the answer to future energy needs and that will form the basis of the engineering group’s business strategy in the renewable energy sector.

SENERtrough collector system, patented by SENER, that will be installed at the CPC projects of Torresol Energy.

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At the start of 2008, the leading global players in the renewable energy sector met in Abu Dhabi for the first World Future Energy Summit (WFES), an event where the United Arab Emirates, the world’s fifth biggest oil exporter, became the global focal point for discussions on the world’s future energy needs. At the official opening of the event, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohammad bin Zayed Al Nahyan, highlighted the need to invest in new sources of ecological and inexhaustible energy to meet the demands of citizens in the coming decades. In three days WFES brought together experts and scientists in the field, leading personalities such as Britain’s Prince Charles and political representatives such as US Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman, as well as leading technological companies, among them SENER. The summit was sponsored by Masdar, a company that specializes in the development of renewable energy and clean technology and was set up by the MUBADALA Development Company, the Emirate of Abu Dhabi’s own investment company. WFES also marked the threshold of an agreement between SENER and Masdar that will see the implementation of the Spanish engi- neering company’s innovative technology in the building and operating of thermosolar projects around the world. After several months of negotiations that paved the way for the creation of Torresol Energy, SENER and Masdar made public the founding of their joint venture company in March. The new company will develop Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) plants using the Spanish engineering group’s technological innovations, both in cylindrical – parabolic collectors (CPC) and its system of a central receiver tower and heliostat farm. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the new company is a veteran at SENER, Álvaro Lorente, who has set up operational offices in Madrid, Seville, San Francisco and another one, to be opened in the near future, in Abu Dhabi. SENER Grupo de Ingeniería has a controlling 60% stake in Torresol Energy and Masdar the remaining 40%. For this new venture, the Spanish company will offer its extensive experience in the development of state of the art technology that has made it one of the world leaders in the field of engineering.

Masdar, for its part, will use the new initiative to help diversify the economy of Abu Dhabi and to reinforce the emirate’s image as a leading player in the global struggle to ensure the sustainable development of the planet.

SENER, a pioneer in clean energyLooking back into its history, SENER’s first involvement in the field of renewable energy dates back quite a way. The company designed one of the first wind power generators installed in Spain, near the southern town of Tarifa, and its first heliostats were installed at the Almeria Solar Platform (known as the PSA in Spanish) more than 25 years ago. But it was at the end of 2001 when the company decided to commit itself to thermosolar power, identifying excellent future prospects for a type of

The future Masdar City, the world’s first zero-carbon, zero-waste City.

Aerial view of the future Masdar City, in Abu Dhabi.

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energy that is both clean and inexhaustible. However, SENER also realized that the sector requires extensive research and development and that few companies were prepared to invest in it. The same year, 2001, SENER embarked on a project called Solar Tres, an experimental design plant incorporating a central tower and heliostats, in partnership with Ghersa, Boeing and Nexant, a project that SENER eventually lead. Since then, the company has continued to achieve success with a series of advances in its own thermosolar technology as it searches for optimum results and cost reductions that will make this form of energy profitable in the long term. With three plants currently under construction and a further eight projects at the development stage, SENER has become the world leader in thermosolar energy.Among the technological advances that have propelled SENER to the forefront of Concentrated Solar Power is the development of software such as the Sensol programme that allows users to calculate the necessary dimensions and optimization of the plants. It has also developed various components, ranging from heliostats to their running systems, receiver towers, systems for storing and using molten salts, direct steam generating systems, beam-down control systems and cylindrical – parabolic collectors. In the case of the collectors, SENER has patented a design known as SENERtrough, which offers a significant weight advantage over similar collectors and savings in the time needed to assemble them. But the major technological difference is without doubt the innovative system for storing molten salts, which doubles the energy potential of a conventional thermosolar power plant and which SENER has been the first to employ in commercial power plants.

Projects under wayAt the moment SENER is building three thermosolar plants for two different clients. Two of these are 50 MW plants using the CCP SENERtrough technology. Known as Andasol 1 and Andasol 2, they are being built in conjunction with ACS-Cobra

Installation of SENERtrough collector system at Andasol 1 solar plant.

near Guadix in the southern Spanish province of Granada. A third, similar plant, Extresol 1, is under construction in the Extremadura region in southwest Spain. The first of these will become operational later this year. When it does it will be the largest thermosolar power plant in Europe, the second biggest in the world and the first to use molten salts for generating electricity. This novel thermal storage system will be usable for over than 40% of the year, a much higher rate than for any existing solar power plant.In addition, the company has another eight projects under development, with starting dates running from 2008 through 2009. All are similar to those mentioned above, and will be located in the Spanish regions of Andalucia, Extremadura and Castilla La Mancha.

Torresol Energy, a definitive commitment to CSPThe efficiency of the solar projects being promoted by SENER, which have involved considerable investment on the part of the engineering company, has been the key to the establishment of Torresol Energy,

SENER’s heliostat axis drive mechanism.

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The financial district of San Francisco, where SENER has set up a new office.

a company whose aim is to build and operate an average of two plants a year around the world. The forecast is for an output of around 320 MW by the end of 2010 that should increase to 1,000 MW in a period of 10 years. It is to meet these objectives, that the two partners are combining forces: Masdar will provide Torresol Energy with the necessary operational capacity and an extensive portfolio of contacts, while SENER will continue implementing and testing new technologies that will enable Torresol Energy to maintain its position as a world leader in this field. Both companies share a common vision: the need to contribute to the protection of the environment for future generations. Torresol Energy will take over the baton on several projects already started by SENER, where the company has carried out not only the engineering and construction work but also the promotion and investment. These are two CPC technology plants, Termesol and Arcosol, and another one incorporating central tower technology, Gemasolar. The latter represents SENER’s most advanced commitment to solar energy so far, using innovations tested on the Solar Tres project for the PSA. The innovative technology to be installed at this plant, which is currently under construction in Seville, will enable it to keep generating electricity for around 16 hours even if the sun is not shining. This will ensure an electricity output for about 6,500 hours a year, two and a half to three times more than other forms of renewable energy such as wind or photovoltaic power. Once it is operating, the Gemasolar plant will be capable of generating sufficient electricity to meet the needs of 30,000 homes. Arcosol, which will be the first thermosolar plant to be built in the Spanish province of Cádiz, will involve an investment of 300 million euros, making it the biggest private sector project in the province. With a potential of 50 MW, it will have the capacity to generate 3,250 hours of electricity a year, the equivalent to the average consumption of 45,000 homes, which is the same number as there are in the provincial capital. The last of these three projects, Termesol, is located in Seville and will be another 50 MW plant, with

very similar specifications to the Arcosol plant. Both will use the SENERtrough collector system.

A promising future for solar energyCombining the increasingly growth of the world consciousness of the problems caused by pollution and the more and more favourable international legislation towards clean energy, Torresol Energy will concentrate its strategy on technologies targeted at the design, construction and operation of high potential electricity power plants that are capable of generating higher levels of megawatts, as is the case with the CSP plants. These plants are destined to be part of the medium term energy scene for the so-called ‘sun belt’: southern Europe, the north of Africa, the Middle East region and the southwest of the United States. Torresol Energy will make an initial investment of some 800 million euros launching the three previously mentioned plants in Spain. To this investment it has to be added another plant that the company will develop in Abu Dhabi. After these four projects, Torresol Energy’s main objective for southern Europe is to stimulate interest in the building of a new CSP plant in Spain, and seeking at the same time to promote projects in other European countries with solar power potential. In the Middle East and North Africa the company hopes to develop and build three extra CSP plants in addition to the one in Abu Dhabi before 2012. In the United States it is planning to reach agreement with an American renewable energy company to develop at least one CSP plant in the south west of the country. The excellent business prospects in North America have prompted SENER to open an office in San Francisco, to help stimulate demand for turnkey projects for CSP plants. The opening represents SENER’s first step in the USA and a further example of the group’s confidence that this type of technology will be one of the keys to satisfy the planet’s growing energy needs for the future.

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On the 12th March SENER and Masdar held a press conference at the Bizkaia provincial council offices in Bilbao to present the new company Torresol Energy to the leading national and regional media. SENER, a company which itself was founded in the provincial capital in 1956, returned to its place of origin to publicize one of the biggest initiatives in the energy field that the engineering group has been involved in.The presentation began with a welcome from the President of Bizkaia Regional Government, José Luis Bilbao, who then handed over to the CEO of Masdar, Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, and the President of SENER, Jorge Sendagorta.

Masdar CEO, Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber: “We are very pleased to be here and with the prospects for the joint venture

From left to right, Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Jorge Sendagorta and the Ambassador from UAE in Spain, Sultan Al Qortasi.

that we have signed today with our partner SENER (...) Masdar is a multifaceted and multi billion turnover company based in Abu Dhabi that invests in future energies, especially in solar energy (…) In Masdar we are creating the world’s first university focused on alternative energies and are developing an industrial solar complex for the manufacture of products and infrastructure. We invest in energy companies at all levels and are building the world’s first zero - carbon, zero - waste city that will be run solely with renewable energy. We know there is no unique solution to energy demands in the future (...) We also know that we cannot find an answer to these necessities alone. We need a team of partners like SENER that have experience and technology in this field. The combined efforts of Masdar and SENER to form Torresol Energy will lead the way in solar energy, with initiatives such as the introduction of the first commercial application of tower technology employing a central receiver and molten salt cells. Both partners, Masdar and SENER, understand that the sector needs to develop technological innovations to make this type of energy more competitive.

Torresol Energy promises to be the company that will make solar energy a ‘mainstream’ technology, one that is widely used by millions of consumers. It is a great honour to be here with our partners and friends, who share our vision of a brilliant future”.

The President of SENER, Jorge Sendagorta: “As you know SENER has, throughout its almost 52 years of history, been making important technological contributions in diverse areas of engineering. On some occasions these innovations have led to the creation of new companies promoted by SENER in which we are currently participating and that form part of our business group. Today, SENER is repeating this model with a new initiative in the area of generating electricity from thermosolar power. Through our engineering work, SENER is already involved in various projects currently under construction in this field, but we didn’t want to limit ourselves to working for third parties. That is why, in 2007, we decided to push ahead with our own thermosolar projects and invest in them long term. To achieve this we set up a new company capable of becoming a world leader in this type of technology. The ambition behind this

ExTRACTS FROM ThE PRESS CONFERENCE FROM TORRESOL ENERGY’S PRESENTATION, hELD AT ThE BIzkAIA PROvINCIAL COuNCIL OFFICES, 12 MARCh 2008.

Jorge Sendagorta,President of SENER

“We are confident that Torresol Energy will make a significant contribution to the world’s supply of sustainable energy”

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approach requires a high level of investment, the expansion of our activity throughout the world and a plan to not only maintain but also increase the technological advantages of our solutions.We soon realized that to carry out this extremely important task we needed a partner, and we picked out Masdar as our perfect option. Both of us share the same vision about the development of thermosolar energy, which we see as one of the main energy sources for the future. Moreover, we saw that we could help each other in identifying and developing opportunities throughout the world and that both of us have the necessary financial resources to develop this ambitious business venture. The birth of Torresol Energy rides on a common goal shared by its partners: that is to conceive a global company, the leader in the reliable generation of solar power electrical energy, with a calling to contribute to the protection of the environment for future generations; a company with a concrete mission to invest all around the world in efficient and profitable thermosolar plants, and to be pioneers in new technologies that will allow us to reduce, progressively, the cost of investing in these plants. The alliance between Masdar and SENER will not only be dedicated to promoting plants and investing in them; one of the key elements will be technological development. At the moment, we have a leading position in thermosolar technology in the world that we aim to maintain. Technological advancement supposes a lowering in the costs of solar generation, that are still high when compared with alternative methods of generation (...) Both Masdar and SENER, coordinated through Torresol Energy, are committing ourselves to putting our innovative capabilities to work on this objective to reduce costs, in what will be a key goal for the future of this industry. We are confident that Torresol Energy will be capable of leading the race for the future of thermosolar energy (...) and that this initiative will make a significant contribution to the world’s supply of sustainable energy.”

Masdar CEO, Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber: “The participation of Abu Dhabi in the field of renewable energy is due on one hand to the Emirate having a long history of ecological awareness and on the other to always having been a major player – and very proud

of being so - in the world energy market, thanks to its hydro-carbon reserves. At the moment, Abu Dhabi recognizes that the global energy market is evolving with a growing tendency towards alternative energies. What does this growth mean for us? Is it a threat or an opportunity? In Abu Dhabi we believe it represents a unique opportunity and that is why we are participating in initiatives in this field: because we have long experience in energy and considerable financial resources. If we use our experience and our resources in the sector of renewable energy we will assure our leading position in the global energy market. With this project, Masdar aims to put Abu Dhabi at the centre of energy for the future, in research, in development and in education. In reality, our participation is a natural extension of our environmental policy and a logical step towards leadership in the world of energy.”

Masdar and SENER representatives during Torresol Energy presentation at the Bizkaia provincial council.

The birth of Torresol Energy rides on a common goal shared by its partners: that is to conceive a global company, the leader in the reliable generation of solar power electrical energy, with a calling to contribute to the protection of the environment for future generations

10“An era of change or a change of era?” asked Frenchman Edgard Morin in 2007 when commenting on an exceptional new phrase, coined during his country’s presidential elections. That phrase, “politics of civilization”, has made its mark since then. A year later the media machine insists on one hand in accumulating adverse stories about the current world economy and its immediate perspectives and, on the other, a fresh outbreak of warnings, ever more sombre and dramatic, about the degradation of the biosphere, about global warming, about a whole series of various events that put the continuity of the world, as we see it today, in danger in the very near future. Every fourth of February, the United Arab Emirates carries out the annual ritual of commemorating the National Environment Day. There is perhaps an all too easily forgotten tradition of care for one’s surroundings among Arab people, as is referred to in their own sacred book, the Quran, by a person well known to the Spanish, Ibn Khaldoun, or in a strictly Emirates context, by the late ‘Father of the Nation’ Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Well, it was a ninth of February, this year, when some 40 kilometres from Abu Dhabi, near the international airport, that the first stone was laid for what will be the future Masdar City, a prime example of a multi-use initiative that firmly underscores the UAE’s compromise to the sustainability and custody of the environment. It represents a meticulous move in the right direction that has similarities with limited and much smaller experiences such as the ‘eco-districts’ of Limeil-Brévannes (Val-de-Marne) in France, Germany’s Vauban in Freiburg or the British Bedzed or, on a scale closer to Masdar itself - with a future population of around 50,000 inhabitants - of the one planned for east of Shanghai in China.

It coincides with the appearance, as mentioned above, of serious calls to order emanating from very different sources, underlining that these warning calls are by no means coincidence. Among them is one from the OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development). After stressing that by 2030 there will be over eight billion people on this Earth (compared with 6.5 billion today), its report identifies the four major axis that cannot be put off when it comes to combating climate change, the loss of biodiversity, lack of water and the impact of pollution on human health. Another one is the document presented jointly to the Council of Europe on 13 March by the services of the High Representative of the European Union and the Commission, where they refer to climate change as a “multiplier of threats that exacerbate existing tensions and instability.” They reiterate the dangers noted by the OECD, and add some more. That’s the way things are going. Returning to the United Arab Emirates Masdar, in

Manuel Piñeiro Spanish Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates

An opportunity for Spain

The United Arab Emirates in the debate on climate change

Masdar makes a decisive bid for alternative and renewable technologies, for the reduction of carbon emissions and points to the creation of a model self-sustainable city

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the dark setting in which we move today (the next work of Matt Simmons, one of the theorists behind an imminent ‘peak oil’, is appropriately titled “Darkness in the desert”), represents one of the few bits of good news in the energy field to be counted on our threatened planet. A decisive bid for alternative and renewable technologies, for the reduction of carbon emissions, pointing to the creation of a model self-sustainable city, one that is clean and will make Abu Dhabi a future producer of technological innovation. Organized jointly by several different organizations, it does not hide its ambitions. It will have an Institute of Science and Technology where, for example, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology will offer masters and doctorate courses in advanced and sustainable science and technology programmes, and establish an academic scheme to attract high calibre scientists and researchers; a research network with

leading world partners, among them Spain’s energy research centre (Centro de Investigacion de Energía – CIEMAT); a Carbon Management Unit focused on CO2 emissions that will help achieve a regional economy reduced in carbon; a Special Projects Unit, and another one for Innovation and Investment… in short, a compact block of inter-related and interactive actions combined to offer answers to some increasingly sharp and urgent questions. And all of this taking place in a country that is rich in oil and gas, as is the UAE, yet at the same time one that embraces nuclear energy, having agreed with France the launching of two third generation power stations. This implies that the country is equal to the task of facing up to the challenges that confront this collective fatherland that is Earth, and provides a brave demonstration of responsibility and solidarity. The United Arab Emirates, conscious of the great impact of their ecological footprint in 2007, are putting in place the necessary measures to correct a trajectory that was judged erroneously and is now heading a regenerated movement.Masdar is, moreover, a great opportunity for Spain and Spanish companies. There are many points of contact between the people of the Emirates and the Spanish, although the majority are still far from being explored and further still from being jointly exploited. Renewable energy would, without doubt, be one of the most attractive and immediate. Both

governments coincide in seeing in them a particular usefulness in which, although there is no panacea (which does not exist individually, as neither bio-combustibles nor renewable energy does on their own), they undoubtedly constitute one of the chief tools in counter-acting a disturbing drift. That is why the Torresol Energy company launched on 12 March, the new joint venture between SENER Grupo de Ingeniería, S.A. and Masdar, the alternative energy company in Abu Dhabi, is such wonderful news. Of its operability and synergies, we expect the best. And let us hope it will have the pulling power to multiply the growing Spanish presence in this sector, capable of lighting the way for others and multiplying the volume of Spanish – UAE relations and interchanges to the levels demanded of those special bonds of friendship between both countries that have existed since time immemorial. Inshallah!

Masdar is a great opportunity for Spain and Spanish companies

The future Masdar City, a model self-sustainable city project in Abu Dhabi.

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Last year SENER was awarded with several certifications for its own Integrated Quality, Environment and Safety Management System. Among these, the ISO 13485:2004 certification has been obtained for the first time for its electro medicine projects.

Our division in Poland has been certified for the first time in accordance with ISO 9001; ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001, which are the basis of SENER’s Integrated System.

Also, PECAL/AQAP 2110 and PECAL/AQAP 160 certificates have been renewed, both of them standards in the field of defence, the latter specifically aimed at software development.

Finally, OHSAS 18001 certification has also been renewed, according to the new version of the standard issued in 2007, for all the work centres that already had this certification.

... And also in AlgiersAs part of the ongoing process of extending its international scope, SENER now has an office in Algiers, which opened in the residential district of El Bihar in the capital Algiers in February. SENER is already working on several major engineering projects in the Algerian market and hopes this latest move will help consolidate its presence in the country through the implementation of productive practices and short to medium term partnerships, in addition to the group’s diversification into sectors such as railways, ports and airports. It is also seeking new opportunities in areas such as the construction of emblematic buildings and hydraulic engineering projects. At present the office is working on a tramway in Oran, another in Ouargla, an extension to the Algiers Metro system, a new railway between Saida and Moulay Slissen for national rail company Société Nationale des Transports Ferroviaires (SNTF), the modernization of the electrical traction system on the mining line at Tebessa in the east of Algeria, the Annaba – Ramdane Djamel stretch for OHL – ANESRIF, five control towers for airports at Algiers, Oran, Constantine, Ghardaïa and Tamanrasset, and an expansion of the port at Arzew.Anes Sassi, who was previously project manager for SENER in Barcelona, has been appointed manager of this new office, located at 13 rue des Rosiers, El Biar, Algiers.

Front door of SENER office in Algiers.

sener opens an office in San Francisco…Since April SENER has a new office in the USA, in the financial district of San Francisco. This opening marks a further step forward in the increasingly international scope of the company. SENER is planning to coordinate from the new office projects throughout the US market, especially in the thermosolar energy sector, to carry out turnkey engineering and construction contracts for concentrated solar energy power stations. Therefore, SENER has constituted the company SENER Engineering and Systems, Inc., fully operating, that shows the interest of the Spanish company to get a strong settle in this market. In parallel with the opening of its new country headquarters, SENER is continuing to develop partnerships, that begun in the last few months, with leading promoters and investors in this sector in the United States. It is already offering initial support in the development of several projects, which means the new office is getting under way with the prospects of a considerable workload.Jose C. Martin, who was previously Director of SENER’s Power and Process Department, is heading up the new US office, which is located at 101 California St., Suite 2450 San Francisco, CA 94111 (USA).

The financial district in San Francisco.

new certifications for SENER

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Jose C. Martin, new Country Manager for SENER in the uSAJose C. Martin has been appointed to head the new SENER office in San Francisco, as Country Manager for the USA. From this operations centre, located in the city’s financial district, the company will coordinate projects throughout the US market, especially in the field of thermosolar energy. Jose C. Martin arrives in San Francisco after several years working for SENER where he has held the posts of Chief of Mechanical Engineering, Operations Chief, Director of the Power and Process Department. Graduated as an Industrial Engineer from the Bilbao Higher College of Technical Engineering, Jose C. Martin has worked on a large number of energy projects during his professional career, from conventional and nuclear power stations to cogeneration plants, incinerators for urban solid waste and renewable energy power stations. Over the last 15 years he has been prominent in working on the development of techniques for the thermo-electric assessment of urban solid waste and on concentrated solar thermal energy.José Manuel Belmonte, new Country Manager for SENER in MexicoSince the beginning of 2008, José Manuel Belmonte has been the Country Manager for SENER in Mexico. An Aeronautical Engineer who graduated from the Universidad Politécnica in Madrid, specialized in Airports, Navigation and Air Transport, José Manuel Belmonte has moved to Mexico after occupying the post of head of the Airports Department at SENER’s offices in Madrid. From there he coordinated several of the principal projects for Spanish airports authority AENA over the last few years, among them the 18R/36L runway at Madrid-Barajas airport, the new runway at Barcelona, new passenger terminals at Malaga and Alicante, and the automatic baggage processing system (SATE) at Madrid-Barajas. Daniel Schmitt, new Director of Operations at SENER’s Power and Process Strategic Business unitDaniel Schmitt has been named as the new Director of Operations at SENER’s Power and Process Strategic Business Unit. An Industrial Engineer who specialized in Mechanical Engineering at the Higher College of Industrial and Telecoms Engineers (Escuela Superior de Ingenieros Industriales y de Telecomunicaciones) in Bilbao, he went on to take a Masters in Business Administration

new appointments

Presentation of the three year strategic Plan for 2008 – 2010In the first months of 2008 SENER has presented its new Strategic Plan for the company for the years 2008 – 2010. Jorge Unda, Managing Director of SENER Ingeniería y Sistemas, S.A. has explained to the employees of the different offices the basics of the new plan, the main objective of which is being the leading Spanish engineering and technology group. The company aims to do this by developing its goal of adding value and improving its work for customers with excellent products and projects that provide precisely what is needed that are innovative and are technologically advanced.SENER wants to impress with its excellence and to grow in a sustainable way both in scope of projects and capabilities. The plan calls for a diversification of the geographical areas in which the company operates, a continuation of the internationalization

at the Universidad de Deusto. He takes up this new post after 14 years heading SENER’s Mechanical Engineering Section in Bilbao, where he managed projects such as the complete engineering works for the urban solid waste plant for the Bizkaia province, ZABALGARBI. Juan Ivorra, previously Project Manager, takes over as head of the Mechanical Engineering Section in Bilbao.Other new appointments at the Power and Process Strategic Business Unit are: Miguel Domingo, previously Manager of the Andasol and Extresol projects becomes Manager of the Solar Energy Area; Borja zárraga, formerly Country Manager for SENER in Mexico becomes Manager of the Refining and Petrochemicals Area; and Luis Gabellieri, Manager of Energy Supply has been named International Commercial Manager for Energy and Gas. José Rodríguez, new Director of SENER’s Aeronautics and vehicles DepartmentJosé Rodríguez Muñoz has been named Director of the Aeronautics and Vehicles Department at the Aerospace Strategic Business Unit of SENER Ingeniería y Sistemas. Having qualified as an Aeronautical Engineer from the Universidad Politécnica in Madrid, he has accumulated substantial experience in the areas of systems engineering, design, production, integration and testing of aeronautical and space systems. Over the last few years he has held the post of Chief of the Integration and Testing Section, that later led to the setting up of a centre for the production of electro-mechanical systems, and of SENER’s Integration and Testing Division where he has been for the past five years. Other leading appointments have been:Luis Fernando Sánchez, new Chief of the Integration and Testing Section. Diego Alonso Rodríguez Sousa, Chief of the Electrical Section for the Argentina Division. Roberto Fernández Pascual, as Chief of the Ships Section at the Madrid Division. Francisco Aurelio Soria Dauden, new Chief of the Ships Section at Valencia, and xavier Pascual, new Chief of the Civil Engineering Section at Barcelona. Meanwhile, Sergi Ametller, who for the past eight years has handled brilliantly the post of head of this section will in future be concentrating his efforts in promoting new business and managing major projects in the Ports Area for both the Civil Engineering and Architecture and the Power and Process Business Units.

process in its outlook, and growth in integral projects, all the time keeping an eye on qualitative rather than quantitative growth. To help achieve this, the company recognizes that its main resource is the talent of its workers, which will continue to be reinforced through increased investment in training and, in particular, through a system of work that prizes freedom of action and confidence in the capabilities of each individual working for SENER. Jorge Unda at the presentation in Madrid.

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As in the Roman mythology, Mercury conveys valuable information, but it is still unknown due to its proximity to the sun, which precludes proper observation from earth. Mercury’s irregular properties with respect to other nearby planets can provide important clues to the planetary formation process. Furthermore, a precise control of its orbital motion, mismatching with classic orbital mechanics, will provide one of the most rigorous tests of the relativity theory ever.To get to know the planet better, the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Japanese Agency (JAXA) have launched BepiColombo, a planetary exploration mission. This is the most challenging long-term planetary mission that will have to survive to the harsh environment of the planet and the high solar radiation.BepiColombo includes a magnetometer boom that gleans information about the weak mercurial magnetic field, a strange characteristic which tells us about its internal composition and potential magma flows. SENER develops the deployable boom that locates the magnetometers in an area free of satellite magnetic perturbation. The deployable boom shall combine extremely lightness with a heat shielded surface. The contract includes a model for qualification in solar simulation in 2009 and a flying model in 2010, which are already in the design phase.

Planetary exploration mission to Mercury BepiColombo

flip mirror Device for the Sentinel 3 programmeSENER is currently doing the design and the verification of the Flip Mirror Device (FMD) for Jena Optronik within the European Space Agency (ESA) Sentinel 3 programme for global land observation. This project includes the design, manufacture, assembly and testing of the SLSTR FMD pre-development Breadboard Model. The SLSTR (Sea and Land Surface Temperature Radiometer) instrument is designed for ocean and land-surface observations, it has a double-scanning mechanism, yielding a swath stretching almost from horizon to horizon.

Proba-3 formation Flying System

SENER leads the team formed with GMV for the development of the complete Formation Flying System of the Proba-3 mission. This is the third mission in ESA’s Proba series of small, low-cost satellites for the validation of new space technologies. It will also mount an additional payload, consisting on a scientific instrument, which can benefit from the innovations under test. Proba is part of ESA’s In-Orbit Technology Demonstration Programme, funded through the General Support Technology Programme (GSTP). Proba-3 will demonstrate in flight the required technologies for the making of Formation Flight (FF), using two low cost satellites, for its later implementation in similar future missions (for instance XEUS, SYMBOL-X, MAX, GRI, Darwin, etc). Among other technologies, Proba -3 will verify different types of acquisition, manoeuvres, security and maintenance of spacecraft formations. It will also implement Collision and Evaporation Avoidance (CEAM) detection risk and the associated manoeuvres for its avoidance. Additionally, it will include a scientific mission with

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the two satellites in formation for the investigation of the Sun Corona. One of the satellites acts as the occulter of the inner part of the sun, while the other includes the detector for the observation of the external Sun Corona.Beginning of November 2007 the ‘bridging step’ of the Proba-3 programme was initiated, in which a core team lead by Swedish Space Corporation (SSC) is performing the consolidation of the results of the two phase A studies, performed by two different consortiums during 2006 and 2007.The team led by SENER with GMV as main partner, is acting as major member of the core team, and leads the complete Formation Flying System that among other things includes the Formation Flight Management (FFM) and the Guidance Navigation and Control (GNC). The current bridging step finishes in May-June 2008, and the process for the continuation of phases B and C-D is already initiated with the same industrial structure. The start of the phase B is expected for the third quarter of 2008.

The FMD switches the detectors view from one scan window to the other having a range of +/- 9º.The main objetive at this stage is is to evaluate precision, tuning and loop control, in order to verify the feasibility of the proposed design looking forward the oncoming phases of the project. SENER’s design includes both mechanical and electronic aspects, that is, the components and loop control. SENER also developes the test campaign that comprises functional tests (optical readout, extreme temperatures, control loop) as non functional (thermal cycling). The delivery time for the Breadboard Model is four months beginning on January 2008.

Mercury planetary orbiter.

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project and is currently extending it to other special projects such as IRIS-T CS.Following current international trend of world class manufacturers, SENER Integration & Testing Unit strategically decided to implement a MRP II (Manufacturing Resource Planning) system, which would encompass the most important daily activities of the manufacturing and logistics fields.Current capabilities of SOFINSA include functional and documental incoming reception and inspection fulfilment; real-time stock management; manufacturing orders plan and release; traceability control of all manufacturing items and assemblies through personal Wi-Fi PDA; and historical control of all the operations carried out and their time consumption.This implementation has allowed the Integration & Testing Unit to become a

technological cutting-edge manufacturing centre at an international level. Also, it has provided the opportunity to build a new framework between all the areas based on data and information sharing.

SENER Integration & Testing Division (DIE) has successfully implemented an integral manufacturing and logistics management system called CIM SOFINSA IPS in the Taurus KEPD 350 FASS

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new manufacturing and Logistics management system for SENER Integration & Test Division

taurus Kepd 350 fAss. Using the Lean Manufacturing methodology and the 5S toolThe Integration and Testing Division (DIE) of SENER has decided to implement the Lean Manufacturing methodology that has given such good results in the world class manufacturers. For this reason, the existing production processes and organisation have been analyzed in order to adjust the manufacturing processes and to optimize the costs.

Lean Manufacturing methodology has been developed in parallel with the Japanese tool 5S that allows an improved work environment. This analysis allows establishing a uniform work load for each work-place, so that the units in process advance sequentially and methodically, improving the efficiency of the production line.

The results are positive: the new floor lay-out allows a saving of 40% of the manufacturing area that can be destined to other projects. Besides, the journey of the units in process is reduced by 300 m, as well as the stock in process, that decreases 30%, ending up as finished product stock in store.

As a consequence, the cost of the material in process has decreased, a better response to customers’ requirements is being obtained and production wastage is being kept to a minimum.

All these improvements have been realized thanks to the collaboration of a multidisciplinary team, formed by components of the production line and the DIE. The result of the implementation of this methodology shows the good operation of this division and the level of self-discipline and the excellence of its work.

Manufacturing and Logistics Management System: CIM SOFINSA IPS.

Lay-out after Lean Manufacturing methodology implementation.

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DAtAform. Flexible and reconfigurable tooling for manufacturing aircraft panels

The need for fast, adaptable and easy-to-use tooling in manufacturing processes is increasing in industry. That is why DATAFORM was established, a project funded by the European Commission within the VI Framework Programme to introduce an accurate and flexible technology for the manufacture of 3D aircraft panels, based on digitally-adjustable multi-point tooling methodology.A new technology goes hand-in-hand with a new learning process, which requires time to observe any defects that come with it. In order to develop a mature technology from multi-point tooling methodology while respecting aeronautical requirements, the consortium members of DATAFORM – the University of Cardiff (UK), Jilin University (China), Open Engineering S.A. (Belgium), CENAERO (Belgium), Kayser Italia (Italy) and SENER Ingeniería y Sistemas S.A. (Spain) – are working together to investigate, design and develop the technology and to ensure that its implementation by the industry is as easy as possible.So far, the use of multi-point forming (MPF) tooling has already been implemented in China to manufacture body panels for high speed trains and elements of construction columns with irregular angles for the national stadium for the upcoming 2008 Olympic Games. The experience of Jilin University in MPF tooling methodology has made a great contribution to this project helping establish the technology in the European aeronautical market. Within the DATAFORM project, the application possibilities of the multi-point press forming process, the stretch forming process and the jigless positioning in the aeronautical industry are being explored. Appropiate software is also being developed to manage and control manufacture automatically.The production of a panel using MPF technology is very similar to the forming process with solid dies. Where the latter uses two opposite solid dies that are pressed onto a blank sheet of metal to form a particular shape, MPF technology replaces the solid die with a matrix of several punches. These can be height adjusted using linear actuators, in order to be able to change shapes in a relatively short period of time.

When comparing solid die forming with the multi-point die forming procedure, it is obvious that the latter reduces the number of steps involved. While the solid die can take several months to produce, the multi-point die form, also known as a discrete die, will take only a few minutes to set to the desired position, making it possible to start the forming process as soon as the desired shape of the 3D panel is defined and the discrete die is adjusted to the required position. As a result, the use of a discrete die helps save space as storage of the different specific form-dependent solid dies will no longer be necessary. But above all, MPF reduces the two most important criteria for any industry: cost and time.At the same time, implementing software to drive adjustments of the discrete die offers the opportunity to build an automatic control system. This enables the manufacturer to produce a more accurate panel as the positioning of the punches can be rapidly changed to provide the necessary adjustments in the 3D panel when required.The process to form the sheet metal into a panel that meets aeronautical standards starts with design. The first step is for the shape of the panel to be defined by a CAD model. Next, the design specifications need to be introduced into the system, which will convert the data to give a correct positioning of the different punches for the discrete die. Before setting all the punch elements into position, possible deformations of the panel can be calculated and taken into account when positioning the elements, helping to obtain a more accurate result. Depending on the method used, an extra level of quality control can be introduced to the system by measuring the formed 3D panel and repeating the process until all small forming defects have been eliminated. Studies on how to make the commercial CAD software compatible with the system will be worked out to assure easy usability by industry. There will also be a study to automatically calculate and predict deformations at the beginning of the process, making it possible to add corrections at the start of the forming process and avoid defects afterwards.To study all the different effects that can occur, FEM tools are being used to predict possible deformations. In particular, defects Assembling of the punch elements of the MPSF prototype.

Model of the jigless Multi-Point Positioning Tooling MPPT.

By Francesc Massabé

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like rupture, dimpling, wrinkling and spring-back have been examined already in detail to obtain suitable solutions and to avoid forming defects. For example, dimpling, an effect caused by the different rounded punches that leave a golf-ball like surface on the panel, can be easily avoided by using an elastic interpolator that acts as a cushion to spread the force of the punches more equally on the surface of the sheet metal during the forming process.Since October 2006, members of the DATAFORM project have studied multi-point press forming and stretch forming technology in detail to gain greater insight and discover the solutions to all possible defects. So far, satisfactory solutions have been found but investigations will continue among the consortium

members. Future plans consist of investigating the usability and advantages of the technology for jigless posi-tioning, as well as the construction of three different prototypes – suitable for multi-point press forming, multi-point stretch forming and

jigless positioning – as it is always necessary to confirm simulations with real trial results to prove the high accuracy and flexibility of this technology. In addition to comparing simulations with real results, examining the prototypes will also give a better view of how this technology can be easily adapted to the needs of each individual user. Research will continue until October 2009, with the aim of producing an advanced ready-to-use technology that will help the aeronautics industry to profit fully from the benefits of a novel multi-point tooling technology and keep moving forward.

1. Setting of the punches array, taking into account the possible deformations. 2. Sheet metal blank with segmented blank holder, before forming process. 3. Punches array in position, equipped with segmented blank holder. 4. Final result of MPF process with segmented blank holder, which avoids possible wrinkling of the panel.

Sheet metal blank with segmented blank holder, before forming process.

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support for integrating the iris-t missile

with the EF-18 fighter

iris-t missile

Control Section for the Surface to Air version

IRIS-T missile integrated in the Eurofighter Typhoon C-16 aircraft.

IRIS-T SL missile, courtesy of DBD.

SENER has signed with Diehl BGT Defence GmbH & Co. KG (DBD) the contract for the development of the Control Section for the Surface to Air version of the IRIS-T missile. This version, called IRIS-T SL (Surface Launch), will be integrated in the anti-air defence system MEADS under contract with the German Defence Ministry.SENER participates in this program as design authority in the mechanics and electronics of the actuators which constitute the Control Section and is responsible for the production of prototypes

to be used for design verification and missile qualification. The Control Section, located at the rear of the missile, controls the missile trajectory by means of fins movement and motor thrust vectorization in accordance with the commands from the Guidance Section.This contract reinforces the collaboration between DBD and SENER, initiated with the IRIS-T program, and offers excellent perspectives, technical and commercial, both for series production and future developments.

SENER has carried out assistance and support work for the Spanish Air Force (EdA) and German company Diehl BGT Defence (DBD) in the integration of the short range Air to Air missile IRIS-T with the EdA’s EF-18 / C-15 fighter. The company has also helped integrate the IRIS-T with the Air Force’s C-16 Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft.SENER has conducted structural and supersonic flight tests, as well as trials for electromagnetic compatibility, for locking on to and tracking targets and distancing of the aircraft, among other tasks.

The integration of the IRIS-T in the EF-18 is a world first and a further example of the excellent technological level of the Air Force’s Armament and Experimentation Logistics Centre (CLAEX) as well as the good relationship between SENER, EdA and DBD. This achievement also opens up the possibilities of further IRIS-T contracts around the world.SENER is currently producing the control section for the fins of the IRIS-T at its Integration and Testing Centre at Tres Cantos, near Madrid. So far it has supplied nearly 1,000 of the parts.

Other view of the IRIS-T missile in the Eurofighter Typhoon C-16.

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SENER is carrying out a project called AUTOPLAK, aimed to develop an automatic inoculating and streaking system for the Petri dishes used to cultivate microorganisms in laboratories. Although targeted principally at the health market, the system will also be easily applicable to the preparation of any microorganism culture, making it useful also for the food sector and for the quality control of water, for example. In short, it is a project that will launch a highly competitive new product to the market, one that will give SENER access to other related markets such as diagnostic equipment.AUTOPLAK involves the development of an automated inoculation and streaking system for petri dishes, processes that

Streaking system for the Petri dishes.

currently have to be carried out by hand in the microbiology units of hospitals and laboratories around the world. The pre-analysis machine designed by SENER automates the following steps: labeling the Petri dishes; sterilizing the inoculation loop; opening up the tube that contains the sample; uncovering the petri dish; carrying out the streaking; covering up the petri dish and sealing the tube. An automatic system will introduce notable improvements in the day to day tasks of laboratory workers, freeing them of mundane tasks that represent a considerable investment in terms of hours worked. It will also bring about a reduction in human errors and, at the same time, allow the automation of the following process, the diagnosis, and reduce the waiting time for the patient. All these improvements will

result in cost cutting for the laboratory.SENER has devised the equipment from a mix of existing technology and tailor-made components in order to achieve the best price/performance ratio. The biggest challenge has been the integration of the different technologies and the actual design of the new components, one that could lead to some new patents being taken out. All of this is aimed at developing an easy to use product for the end user that is versatile enough to be used by any laboratory anywhere in the world without having to change working procedures or adapt the installations, while at the same time ensuring a 100% reproduction rate and increasing the productivity of the laboratory.

General visualization of AUTOPLAK with interior view.1) Arquitecture.2) Sample entering system.3) Sample preparation system.4) Sample exit system.5) Automatic streaking system.6) Petri dishes entering system.7) Petri dishes exit system.

Project AutoPLAK: an automatic inoculation and streaking system for cultivating microorganisms

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Gemasolar future plant artistic view.

Pilar combined cycle power station map.

SENER is developing, in partnership with Electroingeniería, the construction of the combined cycle power station Pilar, on the outskirts of the city of Pilar in the province of Córdoba, Argentina. The contract is for the provincial utility, Empresa Provincial de Energía de Córdoba (EPEC), and will be the first of its kind for public utility.

The new power station will have a nominal output of 470 MW. Its main equipment will be two gas turbines, two heat recovery boilers, a steam turbine, a cooling tower, a regulating and measuring centre, a compressor and a water treatment plant, in addition to a distributed control system, isolated phase bar conductors and a transformer station for 132/13,2 kV, 3 x 212 MVA + 2 x 8 MVA.

Within the consortium, SENER is carrying out all the engineering work for the power station, as well as being responsible for the joint management of the project and Off Shore Purchasing among other tasks. For its part, Electroingeniería is responsible for managing the project, On Shore Purchasing and Construction. The Pilar combined cycle power station is currently at the basic engineering phase. The consortium hopes to finish the construction work by the first quarter of 2011.

engineering work on the thermo-electric solar generating plant gemasolar for Torresol Energy

On 4 April, Torresol Energy Investments, S.A. awarded SENER the preliminary works on the Gemasolar project, a concentrated solar energy plant based on a central receiver tower and a heliostat farm to be built at Fuentes de Andalucía near Seville. This means SENER will take on the first phase of the project, the so-called Preliminary Notice to Proceed (Pre-NTP), as a lead up to the adjudication of the second phase, the definitive turnkey project.

The work involved in this first phase, which is already under way at SENER, consists in the preparation of the necessary documentation for the permits needed to undertake the project; the basic design, which includes the consolidation of the bases of the project and design criteria, the overall installation, work on site-clearing, the process diagram (PID), electric load list, the single line electrical diagram and external coordination at the plant (principally connections and accesses); contractual engineering (as applied to critical supplies such as ground clearing, the heliostat actuator, the heliostat assembly line, the molten salts tanks, the receiver, the central tower and the mirrors), which includes the specifications, the purchasing requirements, the handling and evaluating of bids from sub-contractors; as well as the purchase orders (adjudication) for the steam turbine generator; and lastly, the task of overall coordination, which ranges from engineering procedures to programming the engi- neering work, to preparing detailed engineering documents lists and the general plans for the project (for quality, environment, etc…).Phase 1 will be completed the moment the client hands over to the contractor the works licenses and other permits and the prepared site and the accesses and services necessary to begin the construction, such as water supply, waste systems and electrical energy. At this point the order will be given to start the construction work (the OIT or NTP as it is known) for the plant’s second phase, the main turnkey project that SENER also hopes to carry out.

combined cycle power station for Pilar, Argentina

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SENER is leading a group of European engineering companies in the preparatory design work and development of the required technical documents for the proposal to be submitted by the mainly Spanish CANAL consortium, to design, build and supply a third set of locks for the Panama Canal. If this proposal succeeds, this engineering group will have the responsibility of the detailed design of the project.

The present canal

Currently, the Canal runs through Lake Gatún, at an altitude of around 26 m above sea level. From the Atlantic side, ships reach the lake through a series of three locks. Once they have crossed the lake and passed through the Corte Culebra cut they arrive at the Pedro Miguel lock, from where they descend 9.5 m to Lake Miraflores. On leaving this lake the vessels pass through two more locks that in two steps take them down to the Pacific access canal. All the existing locks are double ones, allowing two ships to pass at the same time, and measure 330 m long by 33.5 m wide. There is no pumping, which means the water descends from the lake to the locks through linked channels. With the passing of each ship, 100,000 m3 of fresh water flow out into the Atlantic and a similar amount companies into the Pacific side. The transit of the ships is controlled by electric tractors, which pull them along from the sides of the canal.

The future canal

The new project involves a third set of locks, three on the Atlantic side and three on the Pacific that will enable the canal to double its capacity to some 600 million TM per year. These locks, measuring 427 m long by 54 m wide, will be appreciably larger than the existing ones and the gates that shut them off will be sliding rather than hinged ones, like the canals at Antwerp and Seville, the second of which was a project that SENER was also involved in.

But the most important innovation will be the construction of a series of large pools alongside the locks – three at each lock – that will be used as intermediate water reservoirs. This means that the pools will fill up when the water level drops inside the lock, and the same water can be used again when the levels rise again. The use of this system will save around 60% of fresh water that is lost to the sea with the current system.

In 2007 the Panama Canal Authority opened the tendering process for the construction of the third set of locks. The total budget, including dredging and raising the level of Lake Gatún and the widening of the Corte Culebra cut, over 5,000 million US dollars.

Four consortiums have been short listed to work on the project: CANAL, formed by Spanish companies Acciona, FCC and ACS, Mexico’s ICA and Germany’s Hochtief; Atlántico-Pacífico de Panamá, involving French, Brazilian and US companies; another consortium formed by Bechtel from the United States, Japan’s Mitsubishi and the Chinese Taipei; and Unidos por el Canal, which brings together companies from Spain, Italy, Belgium, Panama, the United States and the Netherlands.

At the same time, the group that will develop the engineering for the CANAL consortium, both in this phase and the following detailed one, is formed by Mott Mac Donald, which will carry out the geotechnical work, earth moving and dredging; Royal Haskoning, which will be in charge of the hydraulic engineering sections, sea defences and the sea-end construction work; SBE, which will work on the gate systems, and SENER, which will be responsible for the overall coordination of the project, and the development of the electrical work, control and communications, security, buildings, services and access.

If everything works out as planned, the spaniards can double the capacity of the current Panama Canal and in doing so, nearly 500 years later, respect the wishes of Emperor Carlos I of Spain who in 1534 became the first person to order an investigation into the possibilities of building a canal to link the two oceans.

The waiting at Lake Gatún.

The present Panama Canal.

Project to enlarge the Panama canal

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SENER has carried out a transport system study for the future expansion of the Mexican city of Geópolis Zumpango, at present a town of 130,000 inhabitants in the north of the State of Mexico, 60 km from the capital. The objective was to analyse the viability of the system for a city where the population is scheduled to grow considerably, taking into account the alternatives of buses, trams and suburban rail system, both for transport within the city and for connections with México D.F.The current transport system, which connects the northern area of the Valle de México metropolitan area with the Federal District, is already overloaded, which is why a new system is needed to ensure the viability of a major residential development that is due to see the city grow to 810,000 inhabitants by 2016.According to SENER’s study, this increase in population will result in some 400,000 extra journeys a day between the new development district and the rest of the metropolitan area, of which around 100,000 can be catered for with a rail system. In addition to these journeys, more than 400,000 journeys will be made within the city itself, to be covered by the new transport system proposed by SENER.SENER’s plan for Geópolis Zumpango consists of a network that integrates suburban railway and buses. A central Paseo Zumpango surface rail line would connect with the suburban station at Teoloyucan for travellers to and from México D.F, while the internal city network would involve various transversal bus routes. It would be introduced in two phases. During the initial growth of Geópolis Zumpango, between 2009 and 2011, the rapid implementation of a temporary bus network is envisaged. Once this period is finished, the combined rail and bus system

study of the geópolis Zumpango city transport system

would be introduced. This combined system scored best when judged on a set of technical, security, functional, environmental, economic and land use criteria. Once the budget is calculated to carry out the work and the operating and maintenance costs, the final economic – financial analysis is due to produce a return of at least 12%.SENER, which carried out the study for Geopolis, a company which is part of Corporación Geo, a property enterprise leader in Mexico and the most important property developer in Latin America, and hopes to be involved in further phases of the project to install the new transport system.

Study of the accesses to the future Paseo Zumpango.

The history of the Panama CanalThe Panama Canal, along with the one at Suez, is a work of engineering that represents a landmark in the industrial development of our world. Below are some of the most fascinating details of its history:In 1514, the year after Vasco Núñez de Balboa discovered the Pacific Ocean, the Spanish began to look for a possible connection between the Pacific and the Caribbean. When they could not find what they were looking for, the governor of Panama, Pedrarias Dávila, ordered the building of the Camino Real (Royal Road) to carry goods from territories on the Pacific coast across the isthmus to the Atlantic side. In 1527 Spanish sailors made a 50 km journey up the River Chagres from its outlet in the Caribbean. The city of Cruces was founded, and a road of about 30 km was built to link it with the city of Panama. In 1534 the Emperor Carlos I called for an investigation into the possibility of building a canal that connected with the River Chagres. Although his plan never came to fruition, the idea of building a canal was not abandoned. In 1799 King Carlos III ordered an evaluation of the possibility of using Nicaragua as the location for a future canal, but this proved unsuccessful. Panama remained the firm favourite as the most appropriate point to establish a link between the two oceans. In 1880 the French, using a project designed by de Lesseps with the collaboration of Eiffel, began the construction of a canal

that flowed into the River Grana. The working conditions were very different from those encountered at Suez. Progress was very slow as disease, especially malaria and yellow fever, killed over 6,000 workers. By 1905, the year that Panama became independent from Colombia, work on the French-designed canal came to a halt.The same year as it gained independence Panama gave the United States a 10 mile wide strip of land running from coast to coast along with the permission to carry out the construction and protection of the canal. As soon as the treaty was signed the North-Americans immediately began measures to control the two endemic scourges of the region, malaria and yellow fever.In 1906 they began the construction work on the new canal, a project that involved the damming of the River Chagres to form Lake Gatún, the excavating and conditioning of the 14 km stretch that made up the Corte Culebra cut, and the construction of two sets of locks, Gatún on the Atlantic side and those of Pedro Miguel and Miraflores on the Pacific side. The Canal was opened on 15 August 1914.After various revisions of the treaty between the United States and Panama, and following an actual break in diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1964, on 7 September 1977 the Torrijos-Carter treaty was signed. Coming into effect on 1 October 1979, the treaty stipulated that on 31 December 1999 the Canal would become the property of the Republic of Panama.

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The future Cracovia football stadium artistic view.

SENER, in a joint bid with the architectural firm Estudio Lamela, has won the competition to carry out the design concept and basic, construction and bidding programmes for the rebuilding of the Cracovia football stadium in the city of Krakow (Poland). The City Hall is planning to renovate municipal buildings in time for the celebration of the Euro 2012 football finals in Poland and Ukraine. The Cracovia Stadium is the home of Polish first division league MKS Cracovia, and is expected to be the official training headquarters for national teams playing in Euro 2012. The project involves the complete demolition of the actual stadium, which can hold some 6,500 spectators, and the construction of a new venue with a capacity of 15,000 spectators, in addition to an adjoining sports hall for 3,000 people. The building will be in the same location, but with a different orientation, so that the new stadium will run parallel to the street to make a better use of the site. The stadium will measure 25,000 square metres, excluding the field of play, and will be Category 3 standard, according to the UEFA qualification system, making it eligible to stage European competitions.The biggest challenge with the project will be to maintain the use of the stadium while the building works are going on. To allow this, the proposed solutions have to include all the necessary guarantees of safety while the stadium remains operative. The project is due to be completed in eight months, starting in May this year. Seating will be maintained for a minimum of 2,500 spectators during construction.Among the special features of the stadium are: a retractable grandstand at the western end to allow this side to be used as a stage for concerts; the installation of new offices for the club and a system of retractable lights for the illumination of the pitch from the north stand. The east and west ends, as well as the north stand, will be of a single tier. In contrast, the main, south stand will have a lower section, in the centre of which will

Design of a new football stadium in Krakow

Infografía del futuro Estadio de Fútbol de Cracovia.

be the VIP area with space for over 500 people. Above will be a balcony area, the ‘Sky-Boxes’, with capacity for 250 people, and an upper area of terrace.The retractable lighting system is designed to ensure views of the city’s Royal Palace and historic centre that are currently marred by various floodlight masts. It was to eliminate these masts that SENER and Estudio Lamela put forward the unusual idea of lighting the pitch with a retractable system that is only opened up at match days. This new contract reflects the notable growth enjoyed by SENER in the field of architecture since the end of the 1980s. The group has been actively involved in developing infrastructure in major cities that include Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Porto, Lisbon and Bilbao, working on projects such as modern Metro networks and stations, airport terminals, innovative transport interchanges, railway stations and other landmark buildings. Some have been on its own, others in collaboration with top name architects such as Santiago Calatrava and Norman Foster. The complex architectural projects demanded by 21st century cities are challenges to which SENER responds with versatile, multidisciplinary work teams, capable of handling all the stages of a project from viability studies and business plans to the managing and coordinating of the building work.

Aerial view of the future Cracovia football stadium.

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SENER has drafted the construction project and is currently conducting the technical assistance to the department of work in the stretch of the N-121 A road, from the Laskuain roundabout, in Behobia, to the provincial border, in the area of Endarlatsa. This section has a length of 6,640 m, with two lanes of 3.50 m wide each and, in many areas, a third lane for overtaking. The estimated speed for the design of this stretch has been 80 km/h.

The solution presented by SENER, embedded in a very mountainous terrain, consists of four troughs prefabricated beams of viaducts and two tunnels, Lamiarri, 500 m long, and Intxaurreta, 100 m long. For the crossing of the Bidassoa river, is planned a bridge arc metal board mixed with 100 m free light, with minimal damages to the fish fauna in its assembly.

The time allotted to carry out the work, which SENER is doing for the Guipúzcoa Provincial Council and for the Navarra Provincial Council, is two years.

Widen and enhancement of the road n-121 A, stretch from Laskuain (Behobia) to Endarlatsa

Simulation of the Endarlatsa point.

SENER has carried out a technical study for the main section of Line 3 of the Warsaw Metro that City authorities plan to build in the Polish capital. This line will be 8.5 km long, running east to west through the southern part of the city and including a tunnel under the River Vístula. There will be nine stations on the alignment, starting from the city’s Western Railway Station and finishing at Stadion, which will serve a football stadium that will host several matches at the Euro 2012 Football Championship. To carry out the study SENER has analysed six alternatives, taking into account different routes and models for the stations,

operating conditions for each proposal and any possible inconveniences for the city. In each case the company has sought the best possible inter-modality conditions among different forms of public transportation, looking for the most suitable connections with the network of railways, trams and buses, as well as with the planified Metro lines. To achieve this, a model was created for a network of both private and public transport in the city. Finally, using a multi-criteria methodology, a decision was reached on the best alternative to meet the functional needs of this stretch of line (route, transport interchange nodes,

operations); one which also minimizes any interference with buildings and serves the biggest number of potential passengers. The final proposal will be incorporated in the city plan for Warsaw. SENER has also advised the City to carry out additional studies to finalize the project for the new line.This study is the first to be developed on the Metro system for the Warsaw city authorities. The council asked SENER technicians who were involved in the technical study to give a presentation of this assignment. It took place in April 2008 before an audience of some 30 people, among them representatives of the council itself, of the Metro and tram operators and local neighbourhood associations.

technical study for Line 3 of the Warsaw Metro

Final proposal for the main section of Line 3 of the Warsaw Metro. It has been selected from six alternatives, taking into account different routes and models for the stations, operating conditions for each proposal and any possible inconveniences for the city.

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Babcock Support Services Limited has closed an agreement with SENER for the licence to use the FORAN CAD/CAM System. Activities have started immediately and FORAN has already been installed at the company premises in Rosyth, United Kingdom.The agreement includes licences of the main FORAN packages: Hull Structure, Outfitting, Electrical and Accommodation. In addition, the FORAN Development Environment (FDE) will be used for the customisation of the outputs as well as for connecting FORAN with the existing Business Systems (ERP).Services to be provided by SENER include installation and set up, on-site technical assistance and maintenance and support.Initially, FORAN will be used in the development of the Stages 2 & 3 (Building Phase) of the CVF Project, the UK Royal Navy Future Aircraft Carrier. At the moment, 60 design engineers are working with FORAN in the detail design of the first of the two new CVF Aircraft Carriers. Babcock is receiving local support from SENER in their installations in Rosyth, both for the training of users and for the usual activities related with the CVF design with FORAN. Babcock, a highly experienced support services company, is a key member of the Aircraft Carrier Alliance, a consortium formed by the UK Ministry of Defence and other companies to carry out the design and construction of the future aircraft carriers (CVF) of the Royal Navy, HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales. Therefore, Babcock’s integration facilities in Rosyth will be engaged in the design and building of the largest warship ever constructed in the UK.

babcock support services Limited implements FORAN System

severnoye has extended the number of FORAN permanent licensesAfter more than 10 years of successfully and intensive use of FORAN, Severnoye Design Bureau have reached an agreement with SENER for the extension and reconfiguration of the number of permanent licenses in order to fit their new project demands. The Severnoye Design Bureau, a leading company designing naval and commercial ships in Russia, was founded on 22 April 1946. Throughout the Bureau’s more than 62-year life a group of highly qualified naval architects has been capable of solving the most complicated tasks in the area of designing ships and vessels.The Bureau has designed more than a hundred ships of different type ranging from 500-ton patrol boat to 26,000-ton heavy nuclear-powered cruiser, and from bulker to whaling boat. In general, more than 550 ships and vessels with a total displacement of about

1.5 million tons have been built under the Bureau’s designs. All of them are notable for their seaworthiness, reliability and operation economy. Some of the vessels were for the international market.Within the last years the Severnoye Design Bureau has developed designs of freezer vessels, trawlers, passenger vessels (SWATH vessel inclusive), environmental vessels with systems of water and atmosphere ecological monitoring, vessels for collection and integrated processing of waste oily water and solid wastes and a hospital vessel. The Severnoye Design Bureau takes part in the Russian Navy Revival programme. More than 20 pilot projects have been carried out.The ships and vessels designing process in the Bureau are most up-to-date and distinguished by using FORAN System.

Chosun University, in Gwangju, South Korea, and SENER have entered into an agreement for the license of FORAN Shipbuilding CAD System. The agreement grants the University the right to use FORAN for academic and research purposes at Chosun’s Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering Department. It also

includes a series of advanced courses in Spain for postgraduate students, as well as technical support and software upgrades during a period of three years. A first team of students led by Profesor Lee Kwi-Joo has spent two weeks this summer at SENER offices in Madrid, getting started with the System.

chosun university to use FORAN System

Artistic view of the new CVF Aircraft Carrier for the UK Royal Navy.

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Drydocks World, a subsidiary of Dubai World, has recently implemented SENER’s CAD/CAM System FORAN. The System was chosen after similar trials were undertaken with two other software packages, as it met most of the client’s needs and was found to be user friendly. FORAN was implemented and engineering personnel were given hands-on training on

Drydocks World selects forAn system for new building

Drydocks World in Dubai, general view of the shipyard.

different modules of the software. The FORAN V60 System was implemented recently in the Dubai shipyard, in United Arab Emirates, on the pioneering Aker Alpha H6e variant semi-submersible rig hull – the largest of its kind – constructed for Aker Kvaerner of Norway. The first of the two units that compose the hull was delivered in August 2007. FORAN is also being used for six new barges being built for a Turkish company and is also being considered for some of the other projects that will be taken up in the future. Drydocks World is a leading and expanding international player in ship repair, conversion, new building and other marine related activities. Those in the expanding Group include Drydocks World – Dubai, which is an amalgamation of Dubai Drydocks and Jadaf Dubai; Platinum Yachts FZCO and Platinum Yacht Management; Drydocks World – Singapore, formerly Pan United Marine and Drydocks World – Batam, a green field development in Indonesia. New building market has been one of the key areas of focus for the Group and both the Dubai and Singapore business units have gained an exceptional reputation in the new building sector within a short span. They have a full order book for the next couple of years. Implementing state-of-the-art technology both in-house and on projects has been a priority.

SENER has closed a contract with UK-based BAE Systems PLC for the licence to use the FORAN CAD/CAM System in their shipbuilding activities.

According to the contract, FORAN can be implemented in any BAE Systems Group company, any member of the Aircraft Carrier Alliance as well as in any subcontractor of the above companies.

FORAN is currently implemented at the BAE Systems Group companies: BAE Systems Submarine Solutions, in Barrow-in- Furness, and BAE Systems Surface Fleet Solutions Limited, in Scotstoun, Glasgow. BAE Systems Surface Fleet Solutions is playing a principal role in the Aircraft Carrier Alliance created to deliver the CVF Future Carrier Project, and works with partners and customers to deliver surface warship Through Life Capability Management to the UK and export customers. On its part, BAE Systems Submarine Solutions is responsible for the design, build and initial in-service support of four Astute Class submarines currently under construction at the shipyard in Barrow. BAE Systems is also set to build the central block of each of the two 65,000 tonne future aircraft carriers required by the Royal Navy

BAE Systems will use the FORAN System as a strategic business application for support and further improvement of the ship design, construction and integration activities at their shipbuilding sites in UK. Efficiencies gained by using FORAN in the design and manufacturing processes will result in costs savings and improved planning and product quality.

As a first result of the contract, about 200 licences have been installed at both sites. These licenses are currently being used

software contract with BAE Systems

Future aircraft carrier for the Royal Navy.

for developing the different stages of the CVF project, UK Royal Navy future Aircraft Carrier, as well as for internal training.

Other services to be provided by SENER include training, customisation, on-site and remote technical assistance, as well as the development of interfaces between FORAN and existing Business Systems.

Luis García, General Manager of Marine Business Unit of SENER, commented: “This is a significant win for SENER and recognises our continued effort in improving shipbuilding specific CAD/CAM tools. The award presents an excellent opportunity for long term planning which will give our business real benefits. We look forward to working in partnership with BAE over the coming years.”

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SENER has signed a cooperation agreement with Jiangsu University of Science and Technology (JUST) and United Force Corporation (UFC) to open the first Technical Support Centre for the CAD/CAE/CAM FORAN System. The centre is located in the Chinese city of Zhenjiang, where the Jiangsu University of Science and Technology is located.With this new agreement, the University has installed 50 FORAN licences for educational purposes and the execution of real projects. Already the training of FORAN has started in the School of Machinery and Power Engineering and later on the School of Naval Architecture and Oceanic Engineering will use FORAN in their work. In order to provide a strong support to users in China, JUST will also develop necessary functions, such as localization and customization based on FORAN. With the opening of this new centre SENER has consolidated its position in the Asian market with FORAN, a CAD/CAE/CAM System for ship design and production, already used by over 130 shipyards and technical offices in 27 countries. The engineering company considers that the naval construction market in China is expected to be the biggest in the world

in the near future and therefore the demand for professional ship designers must be increased in the coming years. Thus, the installation of the FORAN System will be a great asset in the education of the students in JUST. The partnership with JUST has led SENER to offer a postgraduate grant from JUST to study in Europe for shipbuilding related master Degree.Founded in 1930 under

the name Shanghai Dagong Private Vocational School, the current Jiangsu University of Science and Technology (JUST) has become a multidisciplinary university featuring engineering subjects. Currently, it has 12 Schools that issue 47 undergraduate majors and orientations. JUST is the most important player in the Chinese shipbuilding industry among all the shipbuilding related universities. United Force Corporation is a high technology company headquartered in USA. UFC has provided consulting, implementation and technical services of CAD/CAM/CAE/PLM systems to more than 500 Chinese customers and has helped them in the building up of their Digital Manufacturing System and Digital Shipbuilding System. UFC is the only distributor of FORAN in the Chinese market.

first forAn system technical support

centre in China

AkRON, the FORAN’s First Commercial user in ChinaAKRON (China) Group has decided to use FORAN as their main ship design system after a careful selection process that has lasted more than two years. The main business of AKRON (China) Group is ship design and construction, related trading and management. It is headquartered in Shanghai, and has a design company and a shipyard in China.By this agreement, AKRON becomes the first commercial FORAN user in China. “FORAN is a technical leading shipbuilding software system, and is widely accepted by many shipyards and design offices in the world. Thus it is our honour to be the first user of FORAN in China, and we sincerely hope that FORAN can now be applied in more and more shipyards in China” commented Mr. Panagiotics K. Mitroulias, Executive Director of AKRON Group. “We chose FORAN as our main system for ship design and construction, not only because of its advanced technology and powerful capability, but also because UFC (SENER’s partner in China) can provide a leading PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) system and Digital Shipbuilding solution as well as FORAN. AKRON and UFC have the same vision in the digital shipbuilding area, so we have established a long term strategic partnership to study and construct our digital shipbuilding platform in AKRON (China) Group.” “The FORAN implementation in AKRON is the first step of the collaboration,” Mr. Geoffrey Wang, General Manager of UFC indicated, “The long term partnership with AKRON is strong proof of our investment in digital shipbuilding. Our solution can fully meet the requirements of the shipbuilding industry. We have invested in this area with significant resources, and we will continuously expand the solution to provide ever more functions and services for our customers. Also, we wish to set up a successful reference installation based on the FORAN application and digital shipbuilding with the combined effort of UFC, SENER and AKRON.”Now that FORAN has been installed in AKRON Design Department in Shanghai, and the personnel have received the necessary training, the next step is to use FORAN in the whole design process of a real project.

AKRON Group becomes the FORAN’s first commercial user in China

Signing the agreement betwen SENER, JUST and UFC in China.

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construction works for pig manure treatment plants in Toledo started

SENER Ingeniería y Sistemas, S.A. has started the construction of two pig manure treatment plants in Polán and Consuegra (Toledo). These plants are similar to those operating in Juneda (Lérida), and they use the Valpuren process, specially redesigned to fit to local hydric conditions. The works will span all over 2008. Apart from solving pig manure management problems in these two high density pig production areas, they will provide important gas and electricity infrastructures in rural areas. The commitment and support of regional authorities was decisive for the project success.The plant owners are Valpuren Bañuelo, S.L. (Polán) and Valpuren Comatur, S.L. (Consuegra). SENER Grupo de Ingeniería, S.A. is the main shareholder and the pig farmers of both localities are also minority shareholders of said companies. The projects are being financed by two loans, amounting 43.36 million euros, provided by a consortium of Spanish banks formed by Banco Popular, BBV, Banco Corporativo and the state-owned corporate entity Instituto de Crédito Oficial (ICO).

The objective of TRACJUSA in its Juneda plant (Lérida, Spain) is to treat pig manure, producing an organic-mineral solid fertilizer and recovering the pig manure water for its industrial use in cooling towers.To carry out this process it is required a substantial amount of heat, so the TRACJUSA facilities, which are already treating 100,000 t/ year of pig manure and producing about 5,000 t/ year of fertilizer, have a cogeneration unit fully integrated with the pig manure plant, which supllies this calorific energy. The 16.3 MWe cogeneration unit consumes natural gas, complemented with biogas, produced by anaerobic digestion of the pig manure.

TRACJUSA’s units have demonstrated to be highly reliable, as shown by the electricity generation during the last two years:

2006 2007Electricity GWh 133.7 132.2Power Generation Availability 94% 93%

Similar results have been obtained in the first quarter of 2008, with an electricity generation of 32.4 GWh, representing an availability of 94%.

sener’s waste to energy technology works at full performance at Zabalgarbi

trAcjusA: a reliable producer of cogeneration electricity

Construction works at the pig manure treatment plant in Consuegra.

The waste to energy plant at Zabalgarbi, working with SENER-2 process for the valorization of urban solid waste, showed a high stream factor in the different equipments and units during 2007, of more than 92%.The plant processed about 245,000 ton during roughly 8,100 hours of operation. The amount of waste processed in 2007 was more than 10% higher than during 2006.This situation has continued during the first quarter of 2008, a period when the electricity generation has been 186.9 GWh. In this manner, the Zabalgarbi plant is being operated at full capacity and, consequently, this allows the consolidation and development of new projects. Zabalgarbi plant general view.

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ArcosoL, new solar promotion in Cádiz

SENERtrough collector system, patented by SENER.

A new solar thermoelectric plant is being promoted by SENER in San José del Valle (Cádiz). The new 50 MWe unit is based on parabolic trough collectors and has a molten salt storage of thermal energy.The project, started by SENER Grupo de Ingeniería, S.A., is being transferred to the company Torresol Energy, recently launched by SENER. Information about this new enterprise is presented in another section of this publication. ARCOSOL has already secured the land site and has started the permitting procedures. This is the third project within the solar promotions of SENER’s Power and Environment Area. Its design and conception is similar to the Andasol 1 & 2 projects, although it will incorporate additional technological improvements developed by SENER Ingeniería y Sistemas, S.A.The selected land site for this project receives optimal sun radiation according to SENER’s studies. Besides, it is close to a combined cycle plant that will guarantee the cooling water and natural gas supply.ARCOSOL is the first solar thermoelectric project in this zone, where a second promotion has already been started. Both will be part of a large energy generation complex that will reach more than 200 MWe.

SENER Grupo de Ingeniería, S.A. has recently announced a new ‘waste to energy’ technology, known as SENER-4. This new technology retains the advantages of the prior SENER-2 process, that has been largely demonstrated at the Zabalgarbi plant in Vizcaya (Spain), in operation since 2004. An increase in energy efficiency and negligible corrosion in the boiler tubes are the main advantages of SENER-2 against conventional processes. In addition, the new SENER-4 technology does not require natural gas, and the investment cost of waste to energy plants is not sensibly different from conventional plants, the result being a lower processing cost. Waste to energy investors have now the option to select, according to market conditions, either a process based on combined cycle

technology with natural gas as auxiliary fuel (SENER-2) or a Rankine cycle process, not requiring natural gas (SENER-4). Both SENER-2 and SENER-4 processes are associated with the best technologies for cleaning the waste combustion gases. As it is the case in Zabalgarbi, stack emissions of plants incorporating these new technologies comply with the most demanding international specifications.Waste to energy plants are today a necessary complement to material waste recycling, in order to recover the energy contained in the waste, while drastically reducing the volume to be landfilled. SENER-2 and SENER-4 processes allow the accomplishment of these objectives with maximum efficiency and lower cost.

sener-4. New SENER technology for ‘waste to energy’ plants

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forAn: 45 years as a world reference

Of all of the technological innovations and concepts that have emerged from SENER in the last 46 years, perhaps none has had a greater global impact than the development of the FORAN System.Shipbuilding today, conditioned by complex ship designs, demanding customers, financial pressures and changing scenarios, is constantly looking for new ways to efficiently design profitable vessels with no margin for error. In this global environment, with an increasing tendency to share the engineering by multiple agents, ships need to be designed for ease of integration. Everything began in the 1960’s with Manuel Sendagorta, then Director of SENER, and his interest in the mathematical representation of hull forms of vessels. The research studies begun by Sendagorta and his collaborators showed that the use of a mathematical formulation to represent ships’ hulls, combined with the use of computers, could serve not only to describe existing forms but also to generate new ones. This is how they arrived at a general formula that could represent intrinsically faired forms, which was the departure point for the ANalytical FORms System or, as it came to be known, the FORAN System.After mastering hull forms, FORAN was then developed as a tool for the integration of all ship design and production activities. SENER took advantage of this to provide its own projects to its customers with extraordinary speed. In 1969, the first license contract was signed with a naval shipbuilder and since then this has extended to over 130 companies and 27 countries.FORAN is a computer System specifically developed for ship design and construction. The System has the backing of SENER’s in-house ship design capabilities, with the resultant quality of the personnel associated with the System, of a very high standard and very responsive in all disciplines and a complete integration of the entire range of ship design disciplines. With FORAN, the ship designers work concurrently within the context of the overall vessel, which is defined in every detail. The System employs a comprehensive 3D product model as the single source of all data relating to the design and construction of the ship. Associative or topological relationships between

components permit the on-line construction of the model, propagating automatically modifications made to all the related components. The design is not oriented just to 3D modelling, because FORAN model contains also material definition, manufacturing data and production process. The shipyard-user can easily define its own standards, norms, specifications, libraries and formats. FORAN adapts the engineering work to the requirements of the most efficient production, providing directly from the 3D model workshop information with high levels of accuracy, quality and automation. FORAN, conceived as a practical solution for real shipbuilding problems, has been continuously in the market since its inception in the sixties. It is being used in the shipbuilding industry for:

• Forms, Naval Architecture and General ArrangementHull forms generation (including asymmetric and multi-hull vessels), hydrostatic, freeboard, floodable and permissible lengths, sectional areas, trim diagram, space definition, intact and damage stability (including deterministic and probabilistic calculations), user-configurable stability criteria, launching, floating and powering calculations, 2D/3D general arrangement and accommodation spaces organised by decks and compartments.

• Hull StructureFORAN permits a fast definition of a complete and accurate 3D model of the hull structure, including shell and deck plating, structural profile parts and internal structure from basic to detail design. The product model database allows FORAN to provide the production department with all the necessary information for hull fabrication, pre-assembling, mounting, material management, planning and quality control.

• Outfitting FORAN provides a single application with specific working modes for a complete and accurate definition of 2D diagrams and the outfitting 3D product model, including equipment, piping, HVAC and structural outfitting. It also provides the capability to make calculations and to obtain reports and drawings for coordination, fabrication and mounting.

• ElectricalFORAN covers the electrical aspects of ship design and production, enabling the user to create diagrams, libraries of standards and components and catalogues of cables; model and arrange electrical equipment and trays; route cables; define cable terminations, I/O signals; make calculations; and generate complete reports. • Build StrategyFORAN features a build strategy module that represents the ship breakdown, creating user-defined structured work packages tied to intermediate products for assembly and organising custom-made and highly accurate production and fabrication information.

By Verónica Alonso

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• DraftingIn all design disciplines FORAN includes tools for the seamless generation of 2D drawings associated to the 3D product model. • virtual Reality & Design ReviewFORAN designs review tools to give users the possibility to walk through and fly around the 3D model in real time and to query the properties of the different ship components in an immersive experience.

• Design Change and Access Control The latest FORAN module FCM is a powerful configuration tool used to organize the access rights of different levels of users to each area of the 3D model. It includes functions for the traceability of changes and the control of design maturity.

FORAN: The futureSENER has recently launched the FORAN version V60R2.0 with many new features in all the areas of the System to reduce design man hours and to increase the design process performance.

New capabilities that improve the performance in detail design have been introduced to allow an easier work during the definition of the internal hull structure for a more automatic definition of entities. FORAN outfitting also offers new specific design techniques related to pipes definition and tools to facilitate the design of auxiliary structures and supports taking into account the dismantling spaces. Other capabilities have been added to improve the complete HVAC design in a single working environment, fully

integrated with the rest of disciplines.SENER with a clearly defined strategy focused on innovation and customer requirements, is always looking ahead, and is continuously developing and improving all FORAN disciplines using state-of-the-art technologies. Now SENER is working in the next release of FORAN V60 R3.0 that will be launched at the end of 2008.Thanks to this big effort, day by day the strategic objectives are achieved, to keep and consolidate the existing FORAN users and to improve the number of them taking advantage of the new opportunities in the market. The commercial effort is being moved to the Asian market (Japan, South Korea, India and China) with the corresponding technical and commercial local structures. To finish, it is expected to play special attention in shipyards dedicated to military shipbuilding sector.

FORAN System screenshot.

FORAN System screenshot.

F310 for the Norwegian Army.

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Nav

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We accompanied a team of reporters from the prestigious international channel for three days to show them the possibilities of SENER’s experimental plant in the Solar Platform of Almeria (PSA).

Renewable energies are the main characters of a series of documentaries that National Geographic TV will broadcast throughout 2008. In these documentaries, the channel will analyse the advantages and disadvantages of the main ‘green’ energies, such as wind, hydraulic and solar energies. At the beginning of 2007, the channel entrusted the preparation of each report, with an average time of three months to select and film all over the world key places given their innovative technology. Craig Coffman, the producer in charge of the documentary on solar energy, contacted SENER in March 2007. He wanted to film its experimental plant in the Solar Platform of Almeria, unique in the world with its innovating molten salt storage system. Together with the PSA’s experimental salt plant, the American channel had selected solar material manufacturers in Germany, the Italian National New Technologies Agency, Energy and Environment (ENEA), in Rome, the SOLAR ONE plant in Nevada and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Denver.

This is how a National Geographic team worksOn Wednesday 23 May at five o’clock in the afternoon, the team of reporters headed by Craig Coffman arrived in the desert of Almeria, the last European stage in an intense three week filming programme, which had taken them to Germany and Italy. They would then leave for Denver and Nevada to continue

sener discovers the possibilities of thermosolar energy for National Geographic TV

with a further three weeks of filming, before sitting down at the editing table with all the material. The budget forced them to adapt the agenda and they had three days of work programmed for Almeria. They reserved two more days in case the weather was going to be as bad as forecasted. However, they started with a delay. The heavy rain in the majority of the Mediterranean successively postponed their flight to Spain and at midday, Craig Coffman, Kendra Gahagan, production coordinator, Rich Scholtz, cameraman, and Paco Bueno, producer from Almeria and temporary translator, arrived at the plant to start to work. In the PSA, everything was ready to welcome them from early morning: Diego Martínez, the director of the CIEMAT Solar Platform of Almeria, Telmo Chávarri, SENER engineer, and Oihana Casas, the under signed journalist were in Almería to provide the information on the technology of the molten salts experimental plant. In the preliminary meeting held that afternoon between

National Geographic TV, SENER and the CIEMAT, the filming of the installations was planned as well as three interviews. The first of these was to be held with Juan Ignacio Burgaleta, Project Director of SENER’s Power and Process Strategic Business Unit, the second with Diego Martínez and the last with the head of CIEMAT’s Concentration Solar Systems Unit, Eduardo Zarza. That same afternoon, with the plant inactive, the cameraman Rich Scholtz filmed the first pictures of the heliostat field whilst Kendra Gahagan asked about the details of the experimental molten salt plant, Paco Bueno took photos and Craig Coffman weighed up and commented with Rich the possibilities of the landscape.On Thursday 24, the filming started at nine in the morning. The team, accompanied by SENER at all times, covered the heliostat field to film the movement of its panels. The plant technicians followed the indications of the reporters, via walkie-talkie, to adjust the rotation of the mirrors. Mike Cooper, a British sound engineer based in Malaga, had joined the group and recorded the sound of the machines in absolute silence. Kendra, for her part, jotted down all the technical information provided by SENER in her booklet. At midday, the interview with Juan Ignacio Burgaleta took place. Opposite the experimental plant, the engineer explained the plant’s basic operation: “the sun projects energy onto the heliostats, which concentrate the solar radiation on a receiver installed in the upper part of the tower. This receiver transmits the concentrated energy to a fluid circulating inside it”. As the person in charge of the project, Juan Ignacio Burgaleta explained the advantages of this storage system “thanks to the deposit of molten salts, steam can be continued to be

The full team of National Geographic TV. From left to right: Rich Scholtz, Craig Coffman, a technician, Kendra Gahagan and Mike Cooper.

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generated for periods of up to 15 hours without the sun, guaranteeing electricity production for at least 6,500 hours per year, 2.5-3 times more than other renewable energies such as wind or photovoltaic energies.” On the viability of solar technology, he pointed out that “solar energy uses an emerging technology that still has room for development, but in the coming years we will able to improve the cost of the installations, and therefore, increase the performance of these plants. Moreover, not forgetting that it is an inexhaustible source of clean energy.” During the interview, Burgaleta talked about the Gemasolar Project that SENER is building in Seville that, when finished, “will be the largest plant of this type in the world, with a 140 m high tower and 2,500 heliostats”. The plant’s aiming tests could be seen from the ground, which on the cloudy morning concentrated the faint sun light on a shiny part of the tower’s test panel. Shortly after, the reporters took a helicopter to fly over the plant and film the receiver from the air, watched by the CIEMAT engineers. And in the afternoon, the interview with Diego Martínez took place in a futuristic Solar Oven. PSA’s Director emphasised the advantages of solar energy as being “a clean, inexhaustible energy available in Spain thanks to its weather conditions and which will soon be more profitable” and talked about the big efforts Spain is making in this area, which will contribute to lessening its energetic reliance on other countries. Friday 25 dawned rainy and the team continued with its indoor filming. First, the control room, where the operating diagrams are shown on its screens, and then the tower, with its salt deposits and its giddy views of the platform. The field of 300 heliostats spread out under their feet, 80 metres below. Little by little, the clouds cleared. After filming the mirrors in rhythmic movement several times, the team moved on to Eduardo Zarza’s office to film the last interview. The head of the CIEMAT Concentration Solar Systems Unit presented the Direct Steam

Generation (GDV) technology, which attempts to replace the oil that currently circulates in the collectors “directly by steam to reduce costs”. SENER also collaborates in this line of CIEMAT’s research, together with other institutions and companies. When the interview ended, the only thing left to film was the cylindrical –parabolic collectors of the PSA’s experimental plant where the GDV technology is being researched, which form two long lines at one end of the plant. Rich gave instructions to the engineers, with the aid of walkie-talkies, to capture the reflected rays of the sun concentrated on the oil pipe. Mike’s microphone was stuck to the collector. “You can’t hear anything” one of the plant’s technicians remarked “you can’t hear, but the microphone can” Mike replied in his Spanish with a strong British accent. The recording finished at around three o’clock on Friday afternoon. The team was exhausted, after three weeks of filming in Europe, to the point that Craig had become ill due to the changes in temperature. Kendra, Rich, Paco and Mike said goodbye to CIEMAT and SENER in his name. They were happy with the results of the filming, in spite of the weather, which had finally allowed them to film the plant in full sunlight, but also with the sky overcast with storm clouds. “It is even better this way,” remarked the cameraman “as you can see the clouds reflected in the heliostat’s mirrors”. He also pointed out that the mark of light concentrated on the receiver was even more striking on the cloudy sky. Then came Kendra’s questions, via e-mail, on the technical details of SENER’s technology filmed in the PSA to complete the “on off’ narration of the pictures, and the long wait to see the final result in 2008. Of the two and a half days of constant filming only a small extract will be included in the documentary on solar energy. However, this report will go around the world with the international National Geographic channel and will spread the innovating technology that SENER is beginning to extend on the international market, as a leading firm in solar energy.

View of SENER’s tests at the pilot plant.

Interview with Juan Ignacio Burgaleta, SENER’s engineer.

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sener demonstrates its space technology at the Science and Technology Week in BilbaoSENER Ingeniería y Sistemas, S.A. participated with a stand at the Science and Technology Week event held in Bilbao between 7 and 10 November 2007. During these days SENER offered a rundown of the history of the contribution of the engineering sector to the space race, including a review of all the projects in which the company has participated since it started in this field, in 1967, with the project for the rocket aiming and launch tower at Kiruna (Sweden), up to the present day. Engineering is a sector in which some of the most innovative technologies are applied, technologies that later become part of our day-to-day life.

The students of the Higher Technical School for Engineers in Bilbao presented in March the results of Fórmula Student, a racing car project sponsored by SENER. Javier Viñals, an engineer at the Structures and Mechanisms Section of the company’s Bilbao Division was one of a group of professors at the School who advised and supervised the students in the design and manufacture of the car. The vehicle had to meet all the requirements needed to compete with the cars of other European universities at the Silverstone circuit in the UK between 10 and 13 June this year.

Students of Engineering with the single-seater

SENER President, Jorge Sendagorta, picks up the prize Best of European Business.

SENER’s engineer Fernando Artigas with a group of students visiting the stand.

Last November SENER Grupo de Ingeniería, S.A. was awarded the Best of European Business 2007 prize in the growth category (for medium size companies). The progress shown by SENER in its sales and EBITDA performance, each increasing over 50% between 2002 and 2006, helped the company merit this prize, one of the most important in Europe. The Best of European Business awards, now in their third edition, are made by Roland Berger Strategy Consultants, with the sponsorship of the CNN television channel and the collaboration of the IESE business school. The prizes recognize the work of companies deemed to have contributed most to the boosting of the competitiveness of Europe, in line with the Lisbon Agenda.

single-seater fórmula student project sponsored by SENER

best of european business Prize goes to SENER Grupo de Ingeniería, S.A.

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The Vicepresident of SENER, Andrés Sendagorta, took part last November in a working breakfast event entitled ‘Our current Armed Forces: an example for civil society’ organized by the Club Diálogos para la Democracia (Dialogues for Democracy). In his speech, Sendagorta highlighted the importance of having an industry that is capable of transforming scientific advances into products tailored to satisfying new necessities. He also pointed out key aspects for the development of a successful domestic defence and security industry. These can be summed up in three basic points: competitiveness, exporting and technology transfer between civil and military sectors. The meeting was attended by representatives of Spanish political parties, institutions, and the media. Among the leading participants was the Chief of Chiefs of Staff of the Spanish Army, General Félix Sanz Roldán.

SENER stand at the event.

SENER Vicepresident, Andrés Sendagorta, at the working breakfast of Club Diálogos para la Democracia.

SENER took part from 21 to 23 January in the World Future Energy Summit 2008 in Abu Dhabi, the largest international forum for companies and institutions dedicated to renewable energy.More than 200 companies participated this year, as well as leading personalities from the worlds of science and politics. SENER, which has already made a significant number of technological developments in the field of ‘green energy’, gave a presentation of the work it is currently carrying out in the thermosolar energy sector, both in its home market in Spain and abroad; projects that demonstrate the group’s capabilities in promoting, investing and providing expertise in technological development and construction, as well as being a specialist in turnkey projects. The President of SENER, Jorge Sendagorta, had the opportunity to tell Sheikh Mohammad bin Zayed Al Nahyan about these initiatives when the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi visited the company’s stand to hear first hand about the work SENER will be carrying out in the emirate.

sener at the WFES 08 fair

Andrés sendagorta at the meeting ‘Our Armed Forces: an example for civil society’

manu sendagorta, among the top 50 names in the Spanish economy

SENER Vicepresident, Andrés Sendagorta, with other guests at the 50th Aniversary of Actualidad Económica.

On 12 May the Spanish magazine Actualidad Económica celebrated its 50th anniversary at the Hotel Palace in Madrid by selecting and paying homage to the 50 Great Names the magazine regards as the most influential on Spain’s economy between 1958, when Actualidad Económica was founded, and the present day. For 1967, the prize for the leading personality of the year went to José Manuel Sendagorta, who led SENER from 1961 until 1985. Manu Sendagorta received the award for his contribution to Spain’s space industry, after having been in charge of the design and construction of the rocket launching pad at Kiruna (Sweden) that won the international competition run by ESRO; what is today the European Space Agency (ESA). It was the first time that ESRO awarded a direct contract to a Spanish company. The current Vicepresident of SENER, Andrés Sendagorta, received the award on behalf of his father at a ceremony that was presided by Crown Prince Felipe of Spain (the Principe de Asturias) and his wife Princess Letizia.