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.
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.