Siemens & Mennekes Simplify eMobility Infrastructure

Electric vehicles (EVs) are increasingly seen as a vital alternative to traditional, fossil-fuel powered transport due to their potential for sustainability.

A critical barrier for consumer adoption, however, lies in the availability of charging points.

Unlike petrol stations, EV charging stations can be sparse, requiring careful journey planning to ensure recharging is possible.

This gap in infrastructure is being addressed by initiatives such as the collaboration between Siemens Smart Infrastructure and Mennekes, which aims to simplify and enhance the process of power distribution planning for eMobility.

This partnership not only streamlines the technical aspects of installing and managing EV charging stations but also opens up wider access to Mennekes' significant industrial eMobility portfolio.

“This partnership allows us to offer our customers everything from a single source for fast and easy planning of sustainable e-charging infrastructure,” says Stephan May, CEO of Electrification and Automation, Siemens Smart Infrastructure. 

“Together we are accelerating the energy transition.”

What is Simaris?

The core tool facilitating this enhanced planning capability is Siemens’ Simaris suite — an advanced collection of software machinery designed to support the efficient planning, design and configuration of electrical power distribution systems.

The Simaris suite includes a variety of tools:

• Simaris Design: A tool that facilitates the dimensioning of electrical networks from medium voltage to the socket outlet, automating tasks like equipment selection, short-circuit current calculation and load flow analysis
• Simaris Project: Focussed on project planning through supporting users to calculate budgets, generate task lists and integrate project data
• Simaris Configuration: Supports the digital engineering process by allowing consistent and easy design of distribution systems through simplifying the selection and configuration of components such as switchgear
• Simaris Curves: For analysing device settings without creating a full project, such as through comparing and visualising tripping characteristics. 

“We are excited that Mennekes is the first external partner in our Simaris ecosystem, giving customers direct access to their product portfolio,” says Andreas Matthé, CEO of Electrical Products at Siemens Smart Infrastructure.

“This will make power distribution planning for eMobility infrastructure even simpler.” 

About Mennekes

Founded in 1935, Mennekes is a renowned German manufacturer noted for its industrial plugs and connectors.

In 2008, it entered the eMobility field and developed the Mennekes Type 2 connector — a product now widely adopted across Europe and integrated into the international IEC 62196 standard.

The company's global reach spans more than 90 countries, showing its significant impact on the eMobility market.

Christopher Mennekes, CEO of Mennekes, says: “For years, we have been offering not just customised charging solutions, but also a wide range of services for planners.

“By partnering with Siemens and integrating our charging infrastructure into Simaris, we are continuing along this path and making day-to-day work easier for planners.”

This collaboration is promoting eMobility and, therefore, hopes to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the transportation sector. 

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