New forms of energy and drive are increasingly becoming the focus of mobility and infrastructure developers. EDAG is now bundling its competences in a new business unit: "Energy Systems and Drivetrain".
Green electricity, e-mobility, hydrogen and fuel cells: these are the buzzwords on the way to new mobility and new, smart production methods. One thing is certain: The energy infrastructure is the key to a sustainable future for our industrial society and reliable living and mobility habits.
This involves the most sustainable possible generation of energy, its storage and availability, the corresponding, efficient infrastructure and distribution structure, and the supply of all essential energy consumers. EDAG is now repositioning itself in this field with its "Energy Systems and Drivetrain" division.
In mobility and logistics, our focus is on all modes of transport, from cars and two-wheelers to commercial vehicles and work machines to buses, ships, trains and aircraft. We think of energy use in all dimensions, be it in the further development of battery-electric e-mobility, in fuel cell and hydrogen drives as well as in industrial use and sustainable building supply.
Why did we create the new division? To put it in a nutshell: Because we can and because we want to bundle the EDAG competences developed over 20 years in this crucial future field and thus make them even better and more effective. In the field of energy and drives, we are also following the 360° approach to vehicle development and production solutions that is typical of EDAG. In doing so, we occupy three main playing fields.
Firstly: concepts and development, for example of electric motors and HV batteries, fuel cell and hydrogen drives, functional safety or component and system design. For example, our holistic perspective on Energy Management 4.0.
Second: Testing, validation and commissioning, for example in thermal control, homologation, crash and safety systems, vehicles, tank and supply systems or the safe handling of hydrogen.
Thirdly, industrialisation, for example in the upscaling of new production technology from laboratory to large-scale production, in small-scale toolmaking and the production of exclusive parts for fuel cell vehicles, or in the creation of hydrogen-focused production facilities. One such concrete modular, scalable and safe solution is Scalebat, the innovative battery housing for traction batteries in electric vehicles.
Another example comes from the series development and production of fuel cell vehicles. In our fuel cell project, we are working together with Daimler AG in Bremen on a corresponding SUV - from the initial idea, through development and prototypes, small series toolmaking and production of fuel cell-specific vehicle parts, to testing and validation.
This is a task that is as demanding as it is appealing, and at the same time it highlights the capabilities of the new EDAG division. Here, we are realising the development and integration of the new EE architecture into the fuel cell vehicle, with particular emphasis on durability and operational stability, taking responsibility for safety and the vehicle as a whole, as well as for the procurement and quality of exclusive fuel cell vehicle parts. At the same time, we are laying the foundations for the establishment of a new production facility in Bremen.
"Energy Systems and Drivetrain" also has an exciting field of activity in the area of research for batteries and high-pressure hydrogen storage. The H2Hybat project is dedicated to a hybrid storage unit that enables flexible use of the battery for daily journeys as well as rapid H2 refuelling for long-distance journeys. H2Hybat is characterised by safe storage in the vehicle floor, crash safety and integrated emergency management as well as sustainability through reusability.
The examples and our solution approaches confirm that we are now taking the right next step with "Energy Systems and Drivetrain". We have already achieved a lot with our customers. But together we can do much more. The future has begun.
Do you have a specific project or would you like to know more about "Energy Systems and Drivetrain"? Feel free to contact Roberto Diesel, Project Director, or download our free white paper "Energy Management 4.0 - Evolutionary stages for electric vehicles".
