The energy efficiency issue in industry is more topical than ever and the data recently issued by IEA International Energy Agency, following a report, reveal that industry uses 37% of global energy requirements and produces 24% of total CO2 emissions. In particular, about 70% of electricity consumptions in industry can be associated to electric motors.
They refer to various types of motors, small size ones, equipping household appliances but also automation devices of car windows; average-size ones, which for instance are installed in conditioning systems, machines tools, lifts or in subways, as well as motors used in ships, trains and heavy-duty equipment.
Among the other possible actions to reduce the environmental impact, in the report they underline it is important to use high-efficiency electric motors (starting from IE3, Premium Efficiency according to International Efficiency regulations) and variable-speed drives for the control of motors. The achievable results are noteworthy. In comparison, for instance, with a conventional pumping system that features 28% efficiency, with a high energy efficiency system an 82% percentage is reached. Therefore, if the technology is available, what is expected is a strong signal by Institutions to favour their faster adoption and, at the same time, companies must be convinced that nowadays an enhancement of electric motors’ efficiency is necessary.
The importance of high-efficiency motors in industry
Electric propulsion systems on the water
Hercules Electric Marine, a division of Hercules Electric Mobility, Inc., has recently announced it has reached an agreement with Coach Marine Group (CMG) to supply CMG with electric propulsion systems for use in its Coach and Xcursion branded pontoon boats. The companies have entered the final design and integration phase in which they will partner to tailor the Hercules e-Drive system to CMG’s exact specifications to deliver a superior experience for Coach & Xcursion pontoon customers.
CMG intends to produce up to 1,500 electric pontoons annually featuring an electric inboard/outboard motor that is powered by the Hercules e-Drive system. Financial terms of the agreement are not being disclosed.
Hercules expects to deliver its initial e-Drive systems to CMG in the fourth quarter, enabling CMG to get electric-powered pontoons to its North American dealer network as early as May 2023.
«We’re thrilled to partner with an industry leader like Coach to bring state-of-the-art electrification technology to the marine industry without sacrificing performance», said James Breyer, CEO of Hercules.
The words by Chris Riddle, CMG CEO, are as enthusiastic: «By working together, we’re confident this will be a successful venture for both parties. This is a collaborative effort from design to sales. We’re looking forward to the retail boat show season and other display opportunities this year, showcasing the power, performance and quiet luxury that comes with a Hercules e-Drive mated to a Coach pontoon».
CMG pontoons powered by the Hercules 200-kilowatt e-Drive system will have a top-end speed above 40 mph and approximately 12 hours of cruising time between battery charges. Programmable software enables users to customize power levels for optimal range or to meet waterway horsepower or speed restrictions.
Electric motors, the problem of irregular goods
If a sector becomes fundamental, it is more necessary than ever to pay attention to “imitations” or to not fully complete or state-of-the-art products, with unclear origins.
It is what is happening also in the field of electric motors; as proven by the recent seizure of 1140 electric motors and 23 accessories in Vado Ligure port, for an overall value of over 110,000 Euros that has triggered the complaint to the Judicial Authority.
The operation was carried out by Savona Finance Police and the local Customs and Monopoly Agency and it was enabled by the risk analysis activity performed precisely by the Financiers of Savona Unit and by Customs Officers. The study allowed identifying, as possible carriers of irregular goods, two containers arrived in Vado Ligure port aboard a motor ship coming from China, with Hong Kong flag.
Therefore, after the inspection they assessed the content: products labelled with a renowned brand of electric motors but partly devoid of the geographical provenience indication and partly bearing the indication of a Polish address.
The cargo was seized owing to the indications reported in products as they were suitable for misleading consumers as to their actual origin. This is framed in the sale ambit of industrial products with false signs, also in relation to the art. 3 of Madrid Agreement signed by Italy with L. 676/1967.
Actually, seized products are classified as unfinished products, part of the components of a mechanical body designed to be suited to the operation of pumps, fans and drives of machines under production.
Comer Industries enters the market of electric motors
Reality specialized in the design and manufacturing of advanced engineering systems and mechatronic solutions, Comer Industries enters the market of motors and transmissions for electric vehicles due to the full takeover of Benevelli Electric Powertrain Solutions and Sitem Motori Elettrici, specialized in the design, prototyping and manufacturing of transmissions and motors for electric vehicles.
The two realities taken over are deeply rooted into the Emilian territory and together they count 65 years of entrepreneurial history in the sector of motors and transmissions for electric vehicles.
Since their foundation, the enterprises have scored an important growth that is likely to last and to increase, due to the attractiveness of a market in strong expansion.
For Comer Industries, the takeover of Benevelli Electric Powertrain Solutions and Sitem Motori Elettrici pursues a double target: first of all, growing in a great expansion market, by enriching the range of offered products through investments in forefront sustainable technologies; secondly, preserving the value of the Italian excellence in the engineering industry.
The operation occurs precisely one year after the signature of the agreement for the 100% takeover of the German Walterscheid, among the top players in the sector of the industry of propulsion systems and services for Off-Highway and industrial applications.
“I am proud of announcing this operation that concerns two excellences in a strongly expanding market, like electric vehicles’” comments Matteo Storchi, President and Managing Director of Comer Industries. “Entering the market of motors and transmissions for electric vehicles means offering a complete range of products and technologies in constant evolution” Storchi adds.
Here are instead the words by Alberto Benevelli, Managing Director of Benevelli Electric Powertrain Solutions: “Becoming part of Comer Industries Group is a reason for great satisfaction for us. Investing in territory’s realities means preserving the value of the Italian character in the engineering sector to make our ranking further grow in the emerging sector of transmissions for electric vehicles.
Innovation in the rotor cooling: here is the new motor by Energica
Acronym of Energica Mavel co-engineering, the new EMCE motor will be exclusively used on the whole Energica range. The two protagonist companies are Energica Motor Company and Mavel, a research, development and production company specialized in the powertrain ambit that is headquartered at Point-saint-martin, in Valle D’Aosta (Italy).
The company collaborates with primary OEM on a world scale in the automotive industry, but with Energica it makes its début in the two-wheel sector, therefore it has helped Emilia player in improving the motor performances.
The new EMCE contains innovative geometries of rotors and stators that minimize energy losses and maximize performances. The uniformity of the delivered torque and the weight optimization improve the power density and the torque of the motor and permit the optimization of manufacturing processes. Moreover, an innovative patented rotor cooling can generate an internal airflow that touches magnets and cools them, permitting the motor to exploits its potentialities also at high speeds. Furthermore, some adaptive control algorithms assure the inverter can always make the system work in the most efficient possible way. Due to the new EMCE motor with power peak at 126 kW, with 8500 rpm and liquid cooling that grants the highest performances, Energica range is lightened by 10 kg, with relative autonomy rise that ranges from 5 to 10%.
«Innovation – declared Giampiero Testoni, CTO of Energica Motor Company Spa
is the main core of our technical department that, together with Mavel, has found the right collaboration to go even beyond the limits of the current technology, further improving an already highly performing product. The progress is what leads us to look further, to full advantage of our final customers. We are proud of setting a new important technological progress in the Electric Valley that, day by day, we are implementing with so much commitment and passion».
The witness by Davide Bettoni, CEO of Mavel, is as enthusiastic: «I believe in the collaboration between Energica and Mavel because they are two companies projected towards the future, with complementary technologies and converging visions. I am also proud that two realities like ours, which invest in people, contribute in supporting a future of modernity and development for our Country».
Sustainable mobility: 14 million Euros for the electric requalification
Incoming funds up to 3,500 Euros for electric requalification expenses, and up to 60% for various stamp duties.
By Decree of the Minister of Sustainable Infrastructure and Mobility (MIMS), in agreement with the Ministry of the Economic Development (MiSE) they have allocated a new contribution, aimed at the promotion of the decarbonization, to pursue a higher environmental sustainability, through greener transports that favour the ecologic transition.
The subsidy measure is part of a broader government project, that starts from the forecasts of the LD Infrastructures, alias Law n. 156 dated November 9th 2021, providing for urgent measures concerning investments and safety of infrastructures, of transports and of the road circulation.
Let us see, then, in detail what it provides for and who (but especially how) can ask for it.
The subsidy measure: contributions for expenses and stamps
The funding resources, already scheduled in the budget by MIMS, amount to overall 14 million Euros.
The contribution supports the expenses of motor requalification (from endothermic to electric) of vehicles for the transport of people and goods: it covers 60% of the cost but it will not exceed 3,500 Euros, even when the reconversion spending should be higher.
Moreover, a further contribution is provided, still by 60%, for the expenses relating to stamp duty for registration with PRA, the Public Automobile Register, the stamp duty and the provincial transcription tax.
Contribution for the sustainable mobility: beneficiaries and conditions
It will be possible to ask for the contribution to all owners of minivans for the transport of people, of vehicles with more than eight seats, as well as to those who own lorries for the transport of goods (categories M1, M1G, M2, M2G, M3, M3G, N1 and N1G).
Essential condition to benefit from the concession is having installed, on one’s own vehicle, a system of electric requalification that replaces the endothermic motor.
Vehicles must be originally registered with internal combustion engine; afterwards, they will have to be transformed into electrical-traction vehicles.
Terms and expiries for the sustainable mobility contribution
To be allowed asking for the contribution, the replacement of the thermal engine will have to be successive to 10 November 10th 2021, date of entry into force of the conversion Law of the LD Infrastructures.
Until December 31st 2022, connecting with the suitable telematic platform – currently not in operation, yet – managed by Concessionaria Servizi Assicurativi Pubblici S.p.A. (CONSAP S.p.A.), it will be possible to ask for the concession.
The activation of the online page will be communicated, in the short term, on the website of the Ministry of Infrastructures and of Sustainable Mobility.
Here the official communication by MIMS.
(Marianna Capasso)
SEAT, the Learning Center for electric mobility is set up
At the core of Martorell factory, they have recently inaugurated a new training centre dedicated to electric mobility, in a space taking up 400 square metres specific courses that range from engineering to safety are at disposal of all SEAT collaborators.
The shifting towards electrical does not only concern products but also and especially the people who implement them: for this reason, the electromobility Learning Center (eLC) was born, a structure fully dedicated to the e-mobility.
Here SEAT is offering a complete course programme exclusively focused on electric vehicles; the target is relying on collaborators trained on all aspects connected with the new zero-emission technology. They organize sessions about the hybrid and electric technology, as well as on the importance of safety procedures in the management of electric vehicles. Moreover, the specialists who operate on the manufacturing line receive a targeted training, to learn how to connect and disconnect electric systems and to execute other operations with active high-voltage current.
This is completed by online courses, which have allowed 8,600 collaborators to gain higher awareness of electric vehicles also during lockdown periods caused by Coronavirus.
«The future is electric –Xavier Ros, Executive Vice-president Human Resources and Organization of SEAT, stated – and for this reason we are committed to training and developing our talents. Through the eLC we are going to provide our over 15,000 collaborators with all necessary instruments to face future challenges».
The new Learning Center dedicated to electric mobility is part of the 5-billion investment plan announced by SEAT, and consolidates its commitment to training as pillar on which the transition towards electric rests. Within 2021, SEAT and CUPRA will release five new electric and hybrid plug-in models, which will join the electric version of SEAT Mii, already on the market.
In-house whole chain, the Chinese BYD enters the Italian market
The Chinese Byd stands out in the automotive industry for having the whole chain inside the same company, manufacturing the complete system of electric motors, batteries, electrified transmissions, control units and semiconductors. The company has recently presented the two models with which it enters the Italian market. It is BYD Atto 3, a compact SUV powered by a motor featuring 150 kW/204 HP and 310 Nm of torque, able to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.3 seconds and with a 60.5 kWh battery and autonomy up to 565 km in the urban cycle. BYD HAN is instead a sedan with two motors that develop a combined power of 380 kW/517 HP. The maximum autonomy is 662 km in the urban cycle. A distinguishing element of BYD is the Blade Battery, made of lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP), which gives up cobalt.
Advanced Electric Machines: 26.3 million Euros for a sustainable electric motor
The English Advanced Electric Machines (AEM) has recently raised EUR 26.3 Mln in a Series A to tackle detrimental material usage in the automotive industry. The financing round was driven by Legal & General Capital and Barclays Sustainable Impact Capital, with huge additional investments by Par Equity.
Established in 2017, AEM specializes in the development and production of sustainable electric motors and powertrain systems, designed to eliminate the need for rare-earth magnets and cooper windings. Their technology not only delivers performance and efficiency comparable to permanent magnet motors but also addresses the cost concerns and reduces dependence on geographically concentrated supply chains.
The funding round was led by Legal & General Capital, Barclays’ Sustainable Impact Capital and Par Equity, together with Northstar Capital, the Low Carbon Innovation Fund and Turquoise Capital Llp. The funds will be used to expand production capacity, foster their product lines, enhance their R&D department, and implement a global sales and service footprint.
Lithium-ion cylindrical batteries, agreement between Subaru and Panasonic Energy
The two Japanese companies Subaru and Panasonic Energy have found a cooperation agreement, in the ambit of their partnership established one year ago for the supply of new lithium-ion cylindrical batteries. The target is satisfying the growing demand for electric battery vehicles.
“Through this signature, both companies reaffirm their commitment to jointly contributing in the solution of various challenges, such as the achievement of a carbon zero-emission company, the promotion of the sustainable growth in the automotive and battery sectors, the support to the local employment and the development of human resources”, it is what the two companies have jointly affirmed.
Recently, Panasonic has made waves for a further technological step forward: it has signed an agreement with the American startup Sila to use Titan Silicon, first nano-composite silicon anode, in the next batteries for vehicles, with the consequence of much higher performances. The nano-silicon anode, first high-performance substitute of the graphite anode, can grant an increment of the range of a vehicle by 20%, but in the future it is expected to double this value, up to +40%.