The rising costs of energy in the UK is becoming increasingly concerning and in recent months has captured the attention of the public, journalists and government officials alike. Households are experiencing sharp rises in their energy bills, with the demand increasing exponentially. Many people are being forced to consider their domestic energy usage, as well as adapting their lifestyle to cope with these increases.
The significant increase of wholesale energy prices began in the second half of 2021, yet the energy price cap ensured many consumers were protected from these rising costs. However, in April 2022 the energy price cap increased by 54%, as well as further large increases in wholesale prices following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Raising the price cap to 54% meant that default tariffs increased by £693 per year, with prepayment customers seeing an increase of £708.
There are no signs that these increases will slow down, as wholesale prices continue to rise and the energy price cap is looking likely to be raised higher and higher. Cornwall Insights have predicted the energy price cap to remain above £3,000 a year until at least 2024. This is devastating news for many families and households throughout the UK, with the average bill forecasted to be over £300 a month in Summer 2023.
Mica is at the core of our range of industrial insulation solutions. Our goal is to improve the safety, performance and lifespan for a range of industrial applications. Mica is a widely-used mineral that is sourced from mining in many countries but predominantly India and Madagascar, using artisanal mining techniques Here we’ll discuss mica basics and essentials, as well as which of its properties make it so ideal for industrial insulation.
On the 28th-30th June, Elmelin attended The Battery Show Europe 2022 in Stuttgart, Germany. Over the 3 days, we were busy meeting attendees and suppliers from the battery storage industry, sharing our ideas and the projects we’ve been working on. The Battery Show Europe once again proved why it’s such an important and valuable event for ourselves and many others.
After a couple of years of disruption because of the pandemic, the exhibition had a wonderful energy, with lots of people networking and sparking conversation.
From automotive giants to smaller family-run businesses, there were vast amounts of information and solutions being shared for the greater good of the battery industry. Solutions required are becoming increasingly complex, and it’s fantastic to see how other businesses are tackling challenges and adapting to new technology. It’s clear that the intellectual capital in the industry is rising, and we’re excited to be a part of it.
Electric cars have intuitive battery systems that are very different from traditional combustion-based engines. These batteries can generate high volumes of electrical energy, providing the vehicle with enough power to perform at optimal levels over a long lifespan. We’ve seen a very sudden increase in the volume of electric cars on the roads, primarily due to social factors as we begin to recognise the importance of cleaner energies, reducing pollution and reaching net zero.
Lithium-ion batteries are the most common type of rechargeable battery system within electric cars. They have high power-to-weight ratios and are consistently being developed into smaller, lighter packs in order to enable better vehicle performance. Due to the intense growth and demand for electric vehicles, the battery storage technology is constantly being developed and tested with the aim of finding solutions to further improve their overall efficiency and safety.
A major component of EV batteries is their insulation, as they can reach extremely high temperatures over long periods of time. Therefore they require exceptional insulating materials and technology, so that they remain safe for passengers and long-lasting. At Elmelin, we provide support and insulation solutions for the automotive industry, namely battery electric vehicles. Our mica-based insulation products have outstanding thermal and dielectric properties, improving the long-term safety of these batteries, as well as high versatility allowing for unique specifications to be met.
Numerous factors can impact the performance and lifespan of electric vehicle batteries. These can include overcharging or high voltages, deep discharges or low voltages and temperature. While UK summer weather conditions are unpredictable at best, it is worth considering the impact of high temperatures on electric cars in summer, and how battery storage insulation can help mitigate these challenges.
Elmelin are delighted to be attending The Battery Show Europe at Stuttgart, Germany, on the 28th-30th June 2022. We’ll be at booth #8-A50, and we’re looking forward to building relationships, collaborating on design challenges and sharing our stories. With over 540 innovative suppliers, The Battery Show Europe is a fantastic opportunity for attendees to discover solutions, connect with others and learn about new battery technologies.
The expo is Europe’s largest showcase of battery storage technology. There will be new product demonstrations, networking receptions, workshops, keynote speakers, panel discussions and lightning talks, as well as the latest discoveries in advanced battery and H/EV technology.
Elmelin attended The Battery Show Europe last year, and it proved to be an engaging, insightful experience. It was such a success that we absolutely had to attend again this year. We are excited to share our mica-based insulation solutions for battery energy storage, as well as learn from the vastly experienced suppliers and peers attending.
Insulation solutions for consumer appliances are required to ensure their safety and longevity. Many consumer appliances are used regularly and they need to be functioning over a long period of time. Millions of households in the UK will have appliances such as hair dryers and toasters, with many also having convection or fan-assisted heaters. The sheer volume of these appliances mean that there is a demand for insulation providers to offer solutions and high quality insulating materials for these products.
Elmelin specialise in mica-based insulation, with strong expertise in mica itself, and decades of experience with industrial insulation. With adaptability and innovation at the forefront of our values, we have developed outstanding mica-based insulation products for a variety of industries and purposes. The manufacturing and selling of consumer goods and appliances is a competitive market, and these products require excellent insulation solutions to improve their end-user safety and performance. Products such as hair dryers and toasters are exposed to high voltages and temperatures in their day-to-day operation, so it’s key that the insulation used is efficient but also long-lasting.
Mica is incredibly versatile, with the potential to be applied to many different products and solutions. From large-scale furnaces, to handheld consumer appliances, mica can be moulded and processed into various shapes and sizes. It is a naturally occurring silica-based mineral and due its unique chemical composition and physical properties, it is often used as an electrical and thermal insulator.
Mica’s dielectric and thermal resistance properties make it an excellent choice for industrial insulation, yet it is the smooth surface layers that form the mineral which make it so versatile. The smooth surfaces are formed when mica splits along crystalline planes, which results in perfect basal cleavage. Because of this, the mica is flexible and can be shaped into a variety of products including sheets, rolls and tubes.
By 2050, the UK aims to reach net zero with the decarbonisation of all sectors. To meet this ambitious target, industries must adapt to alternative methods for delivering their products and services, from investing in new technologies to entirely redesigning their day-to-day operations. The scale of the challenge is apparent, but one that is being embraced by many businesses, like Elmelin, who recognise the importance of making positive environmental change.
Alternate fuels and energy sources are being invested in by many companies, specifically those in the automotive and manufacturing industries. This movement towards cleaner energy and away from fossil fuels has resulted in a sudden influx of innovative ideas for more efficient renewable sources. These renewable energy sources are becoming increasingly important in the race to replace fossil fuels and thereby driving their demand.
Battery energy storage is a key component of the transition to net zero. Energy production and generation, automotive, aerospace and more all require battery storage technologies to store clean energy. These battery storage technologies are essential for reducing emissions and replacing fossil fuels on a mass scale.
The steel and foundry industry has been a major contributor to global manufacturing, producing a hugely vast range of materials, appliances and products. It’s an enormous industry, and crucial for meeting the intense production demands that exist in the current climate. Industrial furnaces, whether electric arc or coreless induction, reach extremely high temperatures in order to melt down the metals. Steel casting uses moulds to shape and form molten metal into pipes and tube fittings, automotive parts and machinery components.
In 2020, the revenue generated in the iron and steel casting industry was in excess of USD 145 billion. Moreover, even with the detrimental effects of COVID-19, there is still an estimated compound annual growth rate of over 5.4% from 2021 to 2027. In Europe, the CAEF, or The European Foundry Association, is responsible for the overall production of metal castings. Founded in 1953, the CAEF is now an alliance of 23 national foundry associations from 22 European countries. European production accounted for 16.8 million tonnes of the 112.7 million tonnes of castings produced globally.
When discussing furnace safety, this just doesn’t just refer to the health and safety of staff working with them, but also an induction furnace’s operational capabilities as well. These large, expensive pieces of equipment are required on a daily basis working at maximum efficiency and capacity. With the steel and foundry industry being so demanding, it’s crucial to ensure that they operate consistently and avoid breakdowns. Here we’ll discuss the benefits of mica insulation for furnace safety.
