26 ENGINEERING NEWS | December 8–14, 2017 AN
GENERATORS & STANDBY POWER
ELECTRICAL solutions supplier Legrand
last month introduced its upgraded range of
cast resin transformers, which offer advanced
environment-friendly features that enable
the products to meet the requirements of
the new European standard for distribution
transformers (EN50541-1) and ensure the
highest level of energy efficiency.
The transformers ensure the consistent
reduction of energy consumption, resulting
in financial savings, as well as a decrease in
harmful carbon dioxide emissions released
into the atmosphere, says Legrand.
The company highlights that its cast resin
transformers efficiently transfer electrical
power between two different voltage systems
at the same frequency and are manufacturedaccording to stringent quality and safety
speci fications. These transformers have no
risk of insulating fluid losses and are a low
fire hazard, even in harsh operating environ-
ments, such as in mines and in chemicals and
petrochemicals plants.
Other advantages of these transformers are
their compact design, which allows for easy
installation and low maintenance require-
ments, as oil changes or periodic oil purifi-
cations are not necessary.
“The absence of flammable insulation liq-
uids, the use of self-extinguishing materi-
als that do not produce toxic gas emissions,
reduced noise levels and low electromag-
netic emissions, further ensure enhanced
environmental protection in all sectors,”
says Legrand.
The company’s standard distribution
transformers are rated between 100 kVA and
3 150 kVA, have primary rated voltage upto 36 kV and secondary rated voltage up to
433 V. Special transformers have rated power
up to 17 000 kVA. The variable imped-
ance level selection enhances the optionsG
lobal research and consultancy firm
Wood Mackenzie estimates that
nickel demand for electric vehi-
cle (EV) batteries will increase from about
40 000 t in 2016 to 220 000 t in 2025, as
demand for hybrid, plug-in and full EVs
grows in developed countries.
When all other battery applications are
included, such as consumer electronics and
energy storage, this figure increases to an esti-
mated 275 000 t of nickel demand in 2025- accounting for about 12% of total global
supply in that year.
Wood Mackenzie principal analyst Sean
Mulshaw predicts that an increase in demand
for passenger EVs from 2.4-million in 2016
to 14.2-million in 2025 will be driven pre-
dominantly by the Asia-Pacific region – espe-
cially China – as well as Europe and North
America.
“In battery capacity terms, this is the
equivalent of an increase from 26 GWh to
215 GWh over the same period, and most
of the batteries generating this power will
be based on nickel-containing chemistries.”
Mulshaw explains that there are two basic
types of EV batteries containing nickel: nickel
metal hydride and lithium ion (Li-ion). By
2025, Li-ion batteries are expected to be
the dominant product and, although not all
Li-ion variants contain nickel, the nickel
cobalt manganese (NCM) and nickel cobalt
aluminium variants are expected to domi-
nate the battery market.
Wood Mackenzie further predicts that the
portion of nickel in the NCM batteries will
increase, partly in response to the impact of
high cobalt prices on battery cost, but also
because of the improved energy density that
nickel imparts. Both aspects will further addto the growth in nickel demand.
“Assuming the order of magnitude of these
estimates is reasonable, the key question to
then ask is: can we find enough nickel to feedElectric vehicle
growth puts pressure
on nickel supply
Energy efficient transformers reduce
financial and environmental costs
Christmas is a time when everyone wants his past
forgotten and his present remembered.ROBYN WILKINSON | CREAMER MEDIA STAFF WRITERSEAN MULSHAW
An increase in demand for passenger electric
vehicles will be driven predominantly by the
Asia-Pacific region – especially China – as well
as Europe and North America- To page 27
GREEN TECHNOLOGY
Legrand’s cast resin transformers have no
risk of insulating fluid losses and are a low
fire hazard, even when operating in harsh
environments