In today's industrial landscape energy efficiency and sustainability have become paramount concerns. As more and more applications look to improve their sustainability, the demand for efficient energy storage solutions capable of handling large loads is only expected to become increasingly critical.
To this end, one technology garnering significant interest is big-load batteries, which are batteries designed to provide high-capacity energy storage in a compact and scalable form. In industrial applications where heavy-duty applications require large amounts of power, machinery needs to be able to store and deliver substantial amounts of energy - and this is where big-load batteries excel.
In this article, we’ll look at two recent pieces of news surrounding big-load batteries and their impact on industrial applications.
Mammoet’s Zero Emission SPMT
Recently, Mammoet, a leader in heavy lifting and transport solutions, made big-load battery headlines when they introduced a new zero-emission option for their Self-Propelled Modular Transporters (SPMT).
The new system works by retrofitting the existing power pack units (PPUs) of the trailers with electric alternatives. Through a conversion process for SPMT power pack units (PPUs), the diesel powertrain inside existing trailers is replaced with an electric alternative, delivering comparable power to industry standard units while significantly improving the efficiency. According to Mammoet, this new innovation results in a zero-emission SPMT, which is a significant milestone for the industry.
Beyond efficiency, Mammoet boasts that one of the key advantages of this conversion process is the significant reduction in noise levels at project sites. With the diesel powertrain replaced by an electric one, the SPMT transport operations become considerably quieter, providing a safer and more productive work environment.
Sandvik’s New Battery for BEVs
Another notable headline in recent weeks comes from Sandvik, a designer of mining and rock machines, which is introducing a new higher-capacity battery for its battery-electric (BEV) loaders and trucks.
The new battery, which is built around lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry, offers a number of advantages such as improved safety, reliability, and performance as compared to conventional lithium-ion solutions. Most notably, the new battery is also said to offer a significant 36% increase in energy capacity within the same form factor.
Sandvik BEV mining-industry loader, powered by an improved LFP battery.
Along with the new chemistry, the battery pack comes with a number of other design improvements. For example, Sandvik says that the battery's housing has been revamped, enhancing structural strength to withstand shock and vibration more effectively. Other improvements like laser-welded terminals are employed to ensure a stronger battery connection with lower resistance, and top and bottom cooling plates enhance cooling performance, slowing down cell degradation and extending battery life.
The benefits provided by the new Sandvik solution will serve to increase BEV runtime, reduce the cost per amp-hour compared to current-generation battery packs, and enable greater overall vehicle performance.
Big-Load Developments
As the industrial industry shifts towards greater sustainability, the introduction of big-load batteries has been a welcome innovation. Within this, Mammoet's zero-emission option for SPMT transport and Sandvik's high-capacity battery for BEV loaders and trucks are two notable developments in this field.
Between these two developments, it’s clear that the industry is committed to reducing environmental impact, improving efficiency, and embracing sustainable solutions - the question is how we will get there. As technology continues to advance, we can expect even more innovative energy storage solutions to meet the growing demands of industrial applications, driving us closer to a greener and more sustainable future.
