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As a business, we thrive on learning, adapting and developing innovative solutions to support industries on their journey to net zero. Over the past quarter, we have experienced a substantial amount of change within the business. New personnel, reacting to external challenges and beginning multiple exciting projects have meant the past 3 months has been a positive and invigorating phase for Elmelin.
There has been a significant trend in the number of electric vehicles being both manufactured and purchased on a daily basis. Many people were originally sceptical about electric vehicles for a variety of reasons; the high upfront costs and concerns over their safety and performance were common causes for people resisting the transition from petroleum-based vehicles to electric.
These apprehensions are now fading away as a result of greater environmental awareness and media coverage, as well as improved affordability and accessibility tied with owning an electric vehicle. Plug-in electric vehicles are becoming easier to charge thanks to more charging stations being installed across the UK and home charging becoming much more affordable. EV batteries also have larger capacities allowing for longer journeys between charging, as well as improved safety and greater lifespans.
For many, the benefits of owning an electric vehicle are now outweighing any disadvantages. They’re being purchased by individuals for personal use, by businesses providing them to employees as company vehicles and also for public transportation services such as Uber. While there are many key components involved in the performance and safety of an EV, the battery is at the core of their functionality and caring for them is important for ensuring they remain efficient. Here we discuss 3 key factors affecting the battery life of electric vehicles. …
In recent years, the emphasis on renewable energy has increased dramatically as environmental awareness has shifted and the scale of the climate crisis has been recognised globally. The transition to renewable clean energy has been a direct response to our over-reliance on fossil fuels and the plethora of environmental impacts that have resulted from this dependency. The uptake of renewable energy has increased and it is becoming more accessible, however there are still large steps to take before we can truly become reliant on renewable energy.
There are many forms of research taking place in order to develop the most efficient and dependable renewable energy sources in regards to its production and generation. Developments in solar energy, wind power, hydropower, geothermal, biofuel and hydrogen are taking place, with new solutions being tested with the hope of them becoming viable for mass use.
As well as technologies to sustainably generate renewable energy, there is also a focus on the storage of this energy. Energy storage technologies are becoming more efficient and less intimidating from a financial standpoint, both for large-scale sites and residential storage. As we move our attention towards a renewable future, it’s worth asking ourselves, how can energy storage technologies help to ease the transition and enhance the capabilities of renewable energy? However, we first need to consider the current state of our fuel usage and the global impact it’s having.
Industrial furnaces are core to the foundry and steel industry. There are numerous factors that influence the overall output of a foundry; the number of staff, the raw materials available, and most notably furnace performance. The furnaces used in foundries need to be efficient and safe with extended lifespans. Due to the extremely high temperatures that exist for long periods of time each day, furnaces undergo intense pressure and can be at increased risk of damage and malfunctions. The useful life is required to be maximised in order to ensure long-term and cost-effective operations within a foundry.
Foundry and steel is crucial for many other industries. The castings produced are vital components of manufacturing supply chains, as well as high-demand sectors such as automotive and construction. The global scale of the foundry and steel industry is colossal, and it continues to be put under pressure due to increasing demand. Therefore at Elmelin, we believe its key to offer our support by providing outstanding high temperature insulation solutions for the variety of furnaces used within the industry.
The safety of electric vehicle batteries is a grand challenge of modern automotive engineering. Over the past few years we have seen a sharp increase in the number of electric vehicles on our roads. This has been for numerous reasons; better technology, cheaper running costs, increased accessibility to charging stations and increasingly at the forefront of people’s minds, cleaner emissions and reduced pollution.
Car manufacturers and consumers are recognising the importance of reducing both harmful emissions and our dependence on fossil fuels. Each day, we are reminded of climate change, ecosystem disruption and irreversible damage to the environment. There has been a shift in environmental awareness and people are beginning to switch to electric vehicles and moving away from petroleum-based vehicles.
At Elmelin, we have certain core values that we abide by and apply into our products. Sustainability is one of these values, and we’re passionate about the development of safe, reliable, and sustainable EV batteries. One of our key products is Elmelin’s Compression Pads Plus, a solution for EV batteries that improves the safety, performance and lifespan of a battery by helping to maintain suitable pressure on the battery pack whilst simultaneously providing thermal and electrical insulation.
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 storage and 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.