Ascom's Latest Order is a Resounding Success

Safety first: energy provider Vattenfall opts for Ascom’s modern IP DECT personal communication systems at the Schwarze Pumpe site in Brandenburg

FRANKFURT AM MAIN, Germany - Tuesday, August 20th 2013 [ME NewsWire]

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Outstanding performance speaks for itself: Ascom has been commissioned with the task of equipping the large-scale power plant Schwarze Pumpe in Brandenburg with a wireless alarm telephone system. The contractor is Vattenfall Europe Generation AG & Co. KG, a division of the international Vattenfall Group, which figures among the largest electricity and heat producers in Europe. Schwarze Pumpe is thus following the example of the Vattenfall sites in Boxberg, Jänschwalde, Lippendorf and Moorburg, which have already embedded Ascom’s communication systems within their existing infrastructure. With this high-capacity integrated solution, based on IP DECT technology, Vattenfall aims to strengthen personal safety and worker protection on site. At the same time, Ascom will have the opportunity to consolidate its position as a specialist in wireless onsite communications systems in the energy sector as a whole.

Its entire service bundle contains 885 base stations distributed around the twin unit facility, and around 200 IP DECT Ascom d81 mobile devices. The analogue trunking system used until now will be progressively replaced in future. “Thanks to its open systems architecture and scalability, our system may be embedded seamlessly in the coal power plant’s infrastructure”, explains Claes Ödman, General Manager at Ascom Wireless. “A further asset in terms of flexibility is that our terminals may be automatically deployed via our emergency call centre radio equipment on other Vattenfall sites. This allows employees to carry their emergency call devices with them at all times and use them wherever they go. Furthermore, the system itself is able to dial local emergency numbers whenever an emergency presents itself.”

The Ascom d81 personal emergency signalling system is an extremely robust, resilient and failsafe device. In cases of emergency, the user can activate the alarm via the handset by simply pressing the alarm key, whereupon a signal is transmitted via radio to the control station on site and to a central control station manned 365 days of the year. At this point, security personnel are able to see exactly where the employee is located by means of a digitally administered route card. A specially integrated localisation function means the alarm transmitter’s location may be determined; any endangered persons may be found quickly and the necessary measures may be taken in a timely and efficient manner. If an employee is unable to activate the alarm, the personal emergency signalling device activates an alarm via a so-called man-down function which detects bodily position and or lack of physical movement; at the same time a communication channel is automatically established with the person in distress.

“We have worked with Vattenfall since 1992”, explains Claes Ödman. “During this time, we have been able to perform various system migrations. In addition to Schwarze Pumpe, where the installations are already in operation, all other sites maintained by us are equipped with innovative modern DECT technology. Vattenfall’s high demands in terms of the health and safety of its employees have always been pivotal in shaping the company and its strategies. With this in mind, Vattenfall is now working with a solution at the Schwarze Pumpe site which offers a high degree of security, mobility and innovation. According to a Vattenfall manager, this is what makes systems such as those offered by Ascom a ‘must’ on its sites and an indispensable part of working life.

Schwarze Pumpe industrial park: bringing together tradition and modernity

For more than 100 years, lignite has been mined in the Lusatia region. While the name of Schwarze Pumpe was once synonymous with lignite refinery, its image has now transmogrified into one of a vibrant, multifunctional industrial park. The park, located in the south east of Brandenburg, where the Schwarze Pump plant may also be found, was first opened in 1955. Planning for the new power station began in 1992; construction began in 1993 and the site was made operational in 1998.

Source: http://corporate.vattenfall.de/de/industriepark-schwarze-pumpe.htm?WT.ac=search_success

Photograph: Schwarze Pumpe, lignite-fired power station, Photograph: ©Vattenfall

Vattenfall - providing tailor-made energy solutions

Vattenfall is one of the most significant electricity and heat producers in Europe. It delivers electricity, heat and gas and operates along the entire value creation chain in the energy sector. It also deals in energy trading and lignite extraction, while remaining strongly committed to the environment and the wider community as a whole. Vattenfall GmbH is the German division of the Vattenfall Group, which employs around 32,794 employees. In Germany, Vattenfall makes up a significant part of the Swedish Vattenfall Group. It counts among the three largest energy providers in Germany and operates along the value chain in the energy sector. Its core business includes lignite opencast mining, electricity and heat generation in one of the most cutting edge power plants in Europe, as well as the sale and distribution to private and corporate customers and worldwide energy providers. Trade in electricity products also forms part of its core business. It places an increasing emphasis on the use of renewable energy sources. Its parent company is Vattenfall AB, whose headquarters is located in Stockholm. Vattenfall AB is entirely owned by the Swedish state. Source: www.vattenfall.de

ASCOM WIRELESS SOLUTIONS (www.ascom.de) is a leading provider of wireless onsite communications systems for key sectors. The creation of added value for its clients via support and optimisation of the latters’ mission critical processes forms a central part of its service package. Its clients include stakeholders in healthcare (hospitals, psychiatric wards), the manufacturing industry, homes, the food industry, retailers and hotels. Worldwide, it has installed more than 75,000 systems on the premises of numerous leading companies. Ascom Wireless Solutions offers an array of wireless speech and professional messaging solutions. These are based on the latest VoWifFi, IP DECT, DECT, light call and paging technologies which can be seamlessly integrated into customers’ existing business systems. The division has branches in 11 countries and employs 1,200 people worldwide. Ascom Wireless Solutions, with its headquarters in Gothenburg, Sweden, is part of the Swiss Ascom Group. Its registered shares (symbol: ASCN) are listed in Zurich on the SIXSwiss Exchange. (ASCN:SWX).

The original source-language text of this announcement is the official, authoritative version. Translations are provided as an accommodation only, and should be cross-referenced with the source-language text, which is the only version of the text intended to have legal effect.

Contacts

Ascom Wireless Solutions

Oliver Laube

Marketing Director

Germany, Austria and Switzerland

Phone +49 (0) 69 58 00 57 400

Mobile +49 (0) 172 615 4019

E-Mail:oliver.laube@ascom.com

www.ascom.com