July/August 2019

TRANSPORTATION n moঞon systems - design & build PRECISION MOTION CONTROL Custom engineered moঞon systems Servo motors & drives Synchronous AC motors Stepper motors & drives Feedback devices Gearboxes Moঞon controllers & so[ware Mechanical components sales@mclennan.co.uk www.mclennan.co.uk +44 (0)1252 531444 As an advanced moঞon control technology distributor and manufacturer, Mclennan supplies and fully supports a wide range of precision moঞon control components from its distribuঞon partners - and also has the capability to combine these products with its own design and build service for bespoke and turn-key moঞon sub-systems - for applicaঞons across industry and research. Trio Moঞon’s Flex-6-Nano is a powerful integrated EtherCAT servo/stepper controller for high-speed synchronised moঞon and machine control. Available from 2 to 64 axes and with addiঞonal moঞon expansion through add-on axis modules, the din-rail mounted system also takes care of machine I/O and supplementary moঞon through Trio’s modular Flexslice digital and analogue input, output and axis expansion modules. AMP’s STF series microstepping drives are designed for opঞmal open-loop stepper motor performance and compaঞbility with industrial Ethernet or Celdbus protocols including EtherNet/IP, Modbus, EtherCAT and CANopen.automaঞon tasks. Danish moঞon controls designer and manufacturer, JVL has enhanced its range of EtherCAT moঞon control modules for servo and stepper integrated motors to include the CiA402 drive proCle. This brings millisecond-level moঞon and machine synchronisaঞon capability with extremely low jier for demanding high-speed automaঞon tasks. Call us or visit our website for more informaঞon Hybrid ferry is powered by PM technology A ferry has entered service in Denmark powered by a hybrid electric drivetrain based on a synchronous reluctance-assisted permanent magnet technology. The ferry, which is linking the communities of Thyborøn and Agger in north- western Denmark, has replaced a previous vessel that had been running for more than 40 years and had reached the end of its life. Like most ferries in Denmark, the Thyborøn-Agger service operates over a relatively short distance, with a crossing time of just 12 minutes, and makes many crossings every day. This operating profile meant that a hybrid-electric propulsion systemwas ideal, because the savings in running costs would be so great that they would cover, and eventually exceed, the initial investment. The new ferry can carry 22 vehicles, and is expected to transport 5,000 trucks, 50,000 passenger vehicles and 140,000 passengers every year. It is equipped with a serial hybrid drivetrain system comprising two 374kW redundant propulsion lines, supplied by Finnish-based Danfoss Editron. The system consists of two 374kW electric propulsion motors, two 323kW diesel engines fitted with generators, and two 75kVA AC outlets. There are also two 78kWh battery packs for energy storage, a 45kVA shore charging connection, and two compact DC panels including power management system controllers, as well as connections for both energy providers and consumers. The ferry, which was built by the Danish shipyard Søby Værft, uses a synchronous reluctance-assisted permanent magnet (SPRM) technology developed by Editron, and is engineered to operate in harsh conditions, such as the choppy waters of the North Sea. The hybrid power system is half the size of conventional, diesel-electric propulsion systems, and is claimed to be the smallest and lightest on the market. Software is being used to cut the vessel’s fuel and running costs, reducing CO 2 emissions and cutting the payback period. The system“was smaller and lighter than other products by a weight equal to four cars,”reports Kim Raabjerg Korshøj, crossing leader of the Thyborøn- Agger ferry,“meaning it was the perfect choice for our new hybrid electric ferry. The space savings and high efficiencies mean that, even though the new ferry is larger than the old one, it is expected to have a lower operational cost per crossing due to the savings in fuel and the reduced maintenance needs.” The Danish government has reduced the cost of energy for ferries such as the Thyborøn-Agger service.“This means that, in the future, the energy storage on board could be expanded so the ferry operates on even more batteries, reducing the use of gensets,”explains Danfoss Editron’s marine operations manager, Siebe de Vries. He adds that the propulsion system is easily adaptable for such future optimisation, and could even be converted to fully- electric operation. The introduction of the new ferry will help the Danish government meet its climate and energy targets. By next year, the country wants to have cut greenhouse gas emissions from the buildings, agriculture and transportation sectors by 20% compared to 2005 levels. Denmark is aiming to be completely independent of fossil fuels by 2050. Danfoss Editron specialises in hybrid and electric powertrain systems for off- highway and marine markets. It manufactures high-performance power systems based on its unique SPRM technology. Its systems cover the power range 30–2,000kW.