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ABB construction machinery electric drive solutions and practical application cases

Date:2022-10-13   Author:XINDA MOTOR
Introduction: Construction machinery that uses "petroleum" as energy, especially "oil tigers" such as heavy trucks, mining trucks, and loaders, is bound to usher in a lasting change in the global carbon emission requirements and new energy wave. Electrification is at the heart of this change. With more than 100 years of rich experience in motor and drive innovation, ABB can provide a complete set of construction machinery electric drive system solutions. With the advantages of safety, convenience and high reliability, ABB can help customers and society to achieve more efficient and sustainable development in future.

  1 New forces in construction machinery, setting off a wave of electrification

  Engineering vehicles mainly use fuel as their power source. Although their ownership is only 1/6 of that of motor vehicles, their pollution to the environment is not small at all. The exhaust emission of a small excavator is equivalent to the emission of more than 50 family cars, not to mention large mining trucks and cranes.

  Also, are you feeling that summer is getting hotter? It could be a "pot" of greenhouse gases! Did you know that? Vehicle exhaust emissions are also one of the key contributors to global warming.

  Energy saving and emission reduction, green development has become a trend, and high-carbon emission engineering vehicles will naturally join the "carbon reduction" wave, and electrification will become the "wave cusp" of this wave. Construction machinery that uses "petroleum" as energy, especially the "oil tigers" such as heavy trucks, mining trucks, and loaders , is bound to usher in a lasting change in the global carbon emission requirements and the wave of new energy. is at the heart of this change.

  However, the application scenarios of construction machinery often have complex working conditions and harsh environments, especially in mining operations, which will also have a certain impact on the health of operators. Therefore, if intelligent autonomous driving can be realized, labor costs can be reduced, safety can be guaranteed, and production efficiency can be greatly improved.

  On the road of social and industrial transformation, how can ABB’s electrification products be missing? The electrification of construction machinery is steadily advancing. ABB has more than 100 years of rich experience in motor and drive innovation, and can provide a full range of E-mobility electric products. Drive system solutions, relying on the advantages of safety, convenience and high reliability, help customers and society to achieve a more efficient and sustainable future.

  2 ABB's new AMXE series permanent magnet water-cooled motor

  ABB's new AMXE series permanent magnet water-cooled motors are also the best choice for zero-emission heavy-duty construction machinery vehicles. At present, this series of products has been adopted by many world-renowned customers, and its reliability and stability have been tested by the market. AMXE series permanent magnet motors are developed based on a new platform, which can not only provide power for off-road machinery and commercial vehicles, but also can be widely used in many fields such as excavators, loaders, forklifts, mining vehicles, agricultural machinery, yachts and electric buses. It not only has a series of advantages such as small size, high efficiency, reliable performance and easy installation, but also can customize the length of the motor according to customer needs.

  The performance characteristics of the AMXE series permanent magnet water-cooled motors include:

  (1) Reliable performance, improve running time and production efficiency

  • Market proven durability;

  • Design according to vehicle operating conditions;

  • Maintain low inertia when shifting quickly;

  • Lifetime lubricated bearings reduce maintenance requirements.

  (2) Compact size, easy to install

  • The motor is used in conjunction with the controller to ensure safe operation;

  • Standard SAE flange and output shaft, can also be customized;

  • Compact design and flexible mounting bracket for easy installation;

  • Minimal energy loss design in all working conditions.

  (3) Professional technical and team support

  • Customer-centric corporate culture;

  • A pioneer in leading technology;

  • A strong service network during the life cycle;

  • Professional system design and R&D support.

  3 Nasta electrifies heavy construction machinery with ABB motors and drives

  A few days ago, Norwegian company Nasta replaced the original diesel engine with an ABB electric drive system to upgrade its construction machinery. The advantages of doing so are zero emissions, lower noise levels and better responsiveness.


ABB electric drive system.png

  Nasta AS is located in Larvik, about 100 kilometers southwest of Oslo, Norway, and specializes in the distribution of Hitachi heavy construction machinery. As a leading supplier, Nasta has also redesigned and retrofitted diesel-powered construction machinery and converted them to electric-powered operations. The conversion process includes removal of the existing fuel tank and diesel engine, installation of electric motors and frequency converters, as well as energy management systems, battery and charging solutions and power connections. ABB provided electric drivetrain components and technical consulting services for the project.


New energy electric construction machinery.png

  “Nasta’s journey to electrification began in 2019 when we were awarded a project to supply zero-emission construction machinery for a road construction project in central Oslo,” recalls Nasta Senior Consultant Sjur Wethal Helljesen. “This was the city of Oslo. For the first time, the engineering project was required to operate with zero emissions, and we had a lot to learn in the field of electrification. After completing the project, we began to communicate with ABB. We immediately realized that ABB can provide us with drive train equipment and valuable technology ."

  4 Drivetrains designed for heavy duty vehicles

  ABB's electric drivetrain solutions include AMXE motors and HES880 frequency converters designed for the electrification of heavy-duty vehicles. Rugged construction ensures they can withstand harsh environments such as dust, humidity, severe vibration and shock. Both products have a wide power range, while liquid cooling technology makes the unit more compact and therefore easier to install.

  "Nasta's redesigned solution is a perfect match for our electric drivetrain," said Mag nus Nordstrand, global product manager, ABB motion control . It can be connected to the grid as a bidirectional converter, or connected to the battery as a DC/DC converter. Nasta’s current redesign has a battery capacity of up to 300 kWh, and the vehicle can work for 4-6 hours.”

  The electrification of heavy vehicles can yield clear environmental benefits. A diesel-powered 24-ton excavator typically uses about 18,000 liters of fuel per year, emitting a total of about 48 tons of carbon dioxide per year. The upgrade will eliminate these carbon dioxide emissions, as well as sulfur oxide (SOx) emissions, while also effectively reducing the noise level of the equipment. These factors benefit the environment, both for workers on the construction site and for residents and workers near the site. Additionally, operators told Nasta that electrified machinery is more responsive when digging.

  Nasta is a family business with an annual turnover of approximately NOK 1.2 billion. Due to its deep experience in the field of heavy electrical machinery, it is often called upon to advise on policies and regulations for zero-emission construction sites. The Nasta team has successfully carried out about 10 electrification projects, and they feel that it is time to simplify the process and shorten the project cycle.

  “In cooperation with ABB, we have not only received robust and reliable drive train equipment, but also the technical support needed to complete the electrification project”, says Sjur Wethal Helljesen.

  5 Conclusion

  In order to cope with the severe challenge of the current shortage of petroleum resources, electrification has become an important direction for green development in the construction machinery field. As one of the global leaders in electrification solutions for construction machinery, ABB is promoting the establishment of a zero-emission green project in society system to promote sustainable development in the future. In the tide of electrification and intelligence of construction machinery, ABB will join hands with customers in the construction machinery industry on the new track of sustainable and electrification!