Luvata is thinking about the power industry
“One billion new electricity consumers will switch on in the next decade. Who is going to help you cope?”
Jussi Helavirta
Executive Vice-President
Electrical and Industrial Division
Unprecedented demand…
The International Energy Agency says the world will need almost 60% more energy in 2030 than in 2002. Economic growth is driving a rapid rise in living standards and major improvements in infrastructure. The growth in consumer products means more energy is required to manufacture and power them.
It is estimated that half of the energy in a barrel of oil is used in extracting and distributing the energy from the other half. This is not acceptable for the future.
At Luvata, we are standing by our commitment to help our customers to manufacture equipment that generates, distributes and uses energy in the most efficient ways possible.
Copper at the heart of production and distribution
In every power station, kinetic energy is transformed to electricity via electromagnetic induction. The main components are coils wound from solid or hollow copper conductors. Luvata’s Oxygen Free Copper has been developed in cooperation with the motor and generator manufacturers to fulfil their specific needs. Oxygen-free copper provides the highest electrical and thermal conductivity and thus lowest losses in electrical devices. This helps to make distribution systems more efficient and prevent valuable energy from being lost.
Oxygen Free Copper transformer strips are widely used in electric distribution and power transformers. Thanks to better thermal conductivity, the strips stay cooler during current flow and minimise load losses. The transformer can be made also more compact.
Energy for today and tomorrow
The world’s fossil fuel reserves are finite. There is widespread recognition that renewable energy sources are essential in meeting future energy demands.
Over 15 years ago, we pioneered the development of Sunwire and high quality cell interconnectors for use within photovoltaic solar panels. This development helped make the automated production of solar photovoltaic cells a reality. We have also been developing the technology and components at the heart of solar thermal systems, and have found that copper-based solar collectors are easily joined, corrosion resistant and total recyclable. Luvata’s copper components are also used within the rotor bars of wind turbines.
The European Fusion Development Agreement is investigating fusion reactions, similar to those that heat the Sun, as a future energy source – literally creating a star on Earth. Luvata is a primary supplier of superconducting cables to the test facility of the European Fusion Development Agreement. This research is of paramount importance as the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor programme (the most expensive scientific project after the International Space Station) - gathers pace.
Helping customers get more for less
With the consumption of steel increasing thanks to growth in sectors such as construction and automotive manufacture, the energy demands of production are also increasing. Luvata is helping steel manufacturers become more efficient in the way they use their equipment, providing cooling elements that increase the usable volume in a blast furnace. In a similar way, we have calculated with our customers that Oxygen Free Copper Bus Bar systems provide added energy efficiency to modern tank house operations.
We have also thought about energy on a more individual level.
With the growth in consumer electronics, Luvata has worked with the leading manufacturers of batteries to help achieve tighter tolerances in production, improving efficiency and durability of their products. Longer-lasting batteries mean reduced waste and reduced energy required to produce replacements. In 2006, our copper went into over 4 billion batteries around the world.
There is enough technical expertise among us all to push back the boundaries of science and improve human society without the rest of the planet continuing to suffer for it. That means less waste, less pollution and using less energy. It means taking responsibility for the long-term effects of our decisions. All we need to do is choose our goals carefully and work together.
For more information on Luvata’s contribution to the power industry, visit our products and services page, or contact your nearest Luvata specialist.