WCA September 2016

From the Americas

Ms Nowicki noted that individual battery storage systems are important in the transition to a modernised electricity grid, as they enable privately generated renewable power to be tapped on-site instead of being fed into a local power grid. Utilising real-time energy readings, the BMW system measures available energy supply and demand, making the necessary calculations to determine the optimal time to charge or discharge. It includes a voltage converter and power electronics to manage the energy flow among renewable energy sources, the house interface, and the Li-Ion high-voltage battery from the BMW i3. Last year, BMW and Pacific Gas and Electric announced a partnership researching how vehicle to grid (V2G) technologies can benefit a modernised electricity grid with load management services.  In the same week that BMW introduced its battery-powered energy storage system in Montreal, Tesla Motors announced its bid to acquire the energy services provider SolarCity, also California-based. If successful, the EV maker would be able to offer its customers an end-to-end energy production, distribution and storage system. Tesla’s Powerwall battery storage has 6.4 kWh capacity. Dorothy Fabian – Features Editor

customer satisfaction, and greenhouse gas reduction as they plan for future demand. Compared to 41 per cent in 2013, 64 per cent of USA respondents now have an internal or publicly stated carbon reduction goal. As the energy executives were meeting in Washington, the Electric Vehicle Symposium in Montreal was generating news very much in line with their concerns and objectives: the introduction by BMW’s electric vehicle (EV) unit of an energy storage system powered by the BMW i3 vehicle battery. The system can connect with charging stations, solar panels, and new or used “second life” EV batteries. The used but still operational EV batteries present an economical alternative to more expensive new batteries for residential energy storage. Circumventing the local power grid As reported by April Nowicki in Smart Grid News , the batteries powering the BMW storage system have 22 kWh or 33 kWh capacity, enough for up to 24 hours of operation. According to 2014 data from the Energy Information Administration, USA households typically use between 15-30 kWh daily. Because the electric draw is typically lower in homes compared to automotive usage, the BMW storage system would seem a likely application for retired i3 batteries. (“BMW to Recycle i3 EV Batteries for Home Energy Storage,” 23 rd June)

At Wire China 2016, we look forward to welcoming you at our booth no. W1D54 for closer informations on our taping machinery.

Lukas Anlagenbau GmbH is a family owned company, established in 1959, that produces customer-specific equipment for the wire and cable industry. The focus of our products is complete taping lines for producing taped or wrapped conductors with tape materials like PTFE, Kapton, Mica, paper, etc. Also for producing special cables for medical and aircraft applications, our taping lines can be found at many well-known suppliers worldwide. Furthermore, the product range covers single components like pay-offs, capstans, caterpillars and take-ups, up to complete rewinding lines and fine wire drawing lines for non-ferrous materials.

During recent years our development has been advanced by a focus on energy and size reduction. At this years´s wire China Show, we answer this request with new components that are intended to solidify the top position in taping machines for magnet wire applications and to extend our business in the cable industry with cost-optimized and easy-to- integrate taping and heating solutions. This should make our products more competitive especially to the Asian market. At our booth at wire China 2016, booth no. W1D54, we are looking forward to meeting new and existing customers.

www.lukas-anlagenbau.de

Am Forst 1, 92648 Vohenstrauss • Phone: +49 9651 / 930-0 • info@lukas-anlagenbau.de

79

www.read-wca.com

Wire & Cable ASIA – September/October 2016