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The secret star of the energy and mobility transition - powercore® electrical steel
While wind turbines and solar panels are prominent symbols of clean energy, it is the material behind the scenes that makes the green transformation possible in the first place: powercore® electrical steel. It is used, for example, in wind turbine generators, converting energy from one voltage to another with low losses in transformers, and providing drive in electric motors. We will explain how this versatile material from thyssenkrupp Electrical Steel makes green energy more powerful and efficient.
Electrical steel is produced through a complex process and is a vital component for the energy and mobility transition. It significantly contributes to meeting our energy needs and reducing CO2 emissions.
Turning motion into power: powercore® electrical steel
Electrical steel strip demonstrates its strengths wherever efficient conversion of rotary motion into electrical energy or low-loss transformation of energy from one voltage to another is required. In wind turbine generators, for example. This is the case, for example, in wind turbine generators where it reliably converts mechanical energy into electricity. In transformers, it enables efficient energy transport and supply. In electric motors, it provides the necessary drive. In all these applications, the material's specific properties play a crucial role.
Properties of electrical steel: grain-oriented or non-grain-oriented - that is the question.
For electrical steel, a distinction must be made between two variants: grain-oriented and non-grain-oriented. In the wind energy sector, for example, materials are needed that can convert rotation into energy. This is no problem for non-grain oriented electrical steel from thyssenkrupp Steel, which is used in generators. This soft magnetic steel efficiently concentrates and amplifies the magnetic flux inside generators, allowing mechanical rotational energy in wind turbines to be converted into electric current with minimal losses. Additionally, non-grain-oriented electrical steel of the powercore® Traction brand from thyssenkrupp Steel is used in electric motors.
By contrast, grain-oriented electrical steel from thyssenkrupp Electrical Steel is used in transformers and charging columns for electric vehicles. It is characterized by a pronounced magnetic orientation of the crystal structure, resulting in improved magnetic properties. The advantage is low-loss energy transmission.
Top quality: High quality saves energy
This efficiency makes a decisive contribution to the energy turnaround and can even be quantified: In transformers, thyssenkrupp electrical steel can increase energy efficiency by as much as 40%. Hair-thin strips of grain-oriented electrical steel made of an iron-silicon alloy, often no thicker than 0.23 millimeters, are used in transformers. They are increasingly made of bluemint® powercore®, a CO2-reduced and therefore more climate-friendly material.
Great potential for the energy transition - but also great effort in production
The production of electrical steel is highly complex, causing many manufacturers to shy away from it. However, as demanding as the production process may be, electrical steel is essential for our future. thyssenkrupp Electrical Steel is one of Europe's leading manufacturers of high-tech electrical steel, primarily due to its commitment to collaboration. In order to reliably advance the energy transition and support the increasing requirements in this field, thyssenkrupp continuously conducts research on the material and its properties through long-term partnerships and in collaboration with customers. Georgios Giovanakis, CEO of thyssenkrupp Electrical Steel, explains, "The material enables high efficiencies that help our customers meet the demanding efficiency requirements of the EU Ecodesign Directive, thereby reducing global energy requirements and associated CO2 emissions."
Miguel Arrabal, head of the NO electrical steel business area, adds: " , "It is impossible to imagine the energy and mobility revolution without electrical steel. It is the key material for core components in energy generation and distribution and makes powertrain electrification possible in the first place."
You can find more exciting thyssenkrupp technologies that are driving the energy transition in our stories.