Thursday, December 24, 2009

Largest Revolving Christmas Star - Siemens Superstar sets world record

 MUNICH, Germany -- Measuring more than 70m across (as wide as a soccer field), The Siemens Superstar is a windmill that carries 9,000 light-emitting diodes (LEDs) , setting the world record for the   Largest Revolving Christmas Star .

 Photo: Largest Revolving Christmas Star by Michael Pendry and Siemens. / Photo courtesy of Siemens ( enlarge photo )

Siemens developed the internationally unique and pioneering technological project together with Munich multimedia artist Michael Pendry over the past twelve months.

   “The Siemens Superstar is a pioneering technological project and an important symbol for the Global Climate Conference in Copenhagen. Green innovations are lighting our way to a better future,” said Siemens President and CEO Peter Löscher

  Implemented with the support of the Stadtwerke München (Munich City Utilities), the lighting installation consists of 9,000 light-emitting diodes (LEDs) from Siemens' Osram subsidiary.

   “Munich has a new landmark for the Christmas season. It stands for renewable energies and energy efficiency – and these are also important issues for Munich. By 2025, we want Munich to be the world’s first city to meet all its energy requirements from renewable sources,” noted Munich’s Mayor Christian Ude enthusiastically.

   The Largest Revolving Christmas Star is as bright as around 20,000 Christmas candles, the entire installation uses only as much electricity as a hair dryer or two electric water kettles.  


   Nearly 400 meters of power cables were laid for installation — a length that would reach over the top of the Eiffel Tower.
   In good weather, the art object can be seen for 30 kilometers.

   “I like to take art outside the narrow confines of museums,” explained lighting artist Michael Pendry.

 At night the visual effect is awesome and because of getting a lot of positive feedback, Siemens extended the installation until January 6, 2010. The Christmas season lasts until Epiphany. And the star is now going to be lit up throughout the entire period.

   After receiving many calls and e-mails as well as numerous requests from local politicians, the company decided to extend the project's duration by almost a week. In view of the great enthusiasm generated by the light installation during its first three weeks, the authorities had no objection to this request.


   If you happen to visit Munich the Siemens Superstar is near the Allianz Arena on the A9 highway leading into Munich from the airport.

  Every day, the Siemens Superstar can be seen from 4:30 p.m. to midnight and from 4:53 a.m. to 8 a.m.

Siemens AG (Berlin and Munich) is the world’s largest provider of environmental technologies, generating €23 billion – nearly one-third of its total revenue – from green products and solutions.
    In the fall of 2008, representatives of Siemens and Pendry first discussed the idea of creatingv a shining symbol for green technologies. The operator of the wind turbine, Stadtwerke Munchen (Munich City Utilities), offered its full support for the project from the very beginning.
    In the spring of 2009, a handful of experts in various disciplines such as wind energy, aerodynamics, lighting and adhesives got together to sketch out all aspects necessary for realizing the project.

Siemens Superstar 's lighting installation adds 100 kilos to each rotor blade. The LEDs are fastened to the wind turbine blades with the same kind of superglue that is used in space, since under windy conditions the LEDs are subject to forces up to 20 G, or more than three times the g-force experienced by an astronaut during a rocket launch.

   The lights are coordinated in real time with the various strengths of the wind and speed of the wind turbine itself.
Related world records :
Fastest wind-powered car-world record  set by the Greenbird

High reach pantograph-world record set by Stone India

Most efficient single junction solar cell-QuantaSol sets world record

Smallest car-world record set by Perry Watkins

Fastest crossing of Cook Strait-world record set by Sealegs

Longest and highest non-stop cable car-Ba Na Hills sets world record

Thursday, December 24, 2009

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