Throughout history there have been technological advances that have completely changed all aspects of society. From the steam engine and the railway to the combustion engine and automobiles, today we are experiencing another revolution thanks to a combination of more efficient batteries and a need to take more care of the environment: Electrification.
Electrification is the process by which industries such as the automobile industry are transitioning to electric motors. Companies are turning to electrification to power transportation and industrial processes in an effort to reduce emissions, adopt alternative energy and increase efficiency.
As an added benefit, electrified systems are often lighter and easier to control than fluid and mechanical systems such as the traditional combustion engine. The new revolution of electrification makes engineers develop new ways to generate work, heat and energy using only electricity and thus design devices that work only with electric motors.
The revolution comes from the combination of efficient batteries and care for the planet
Perhaps the first examples that come to mind are electric and hybrid cars. However, the trend towards electromobility (e-mobility) to develop electric vehicles is affecting many more industries. For example, electric mobility is spreading to aerospace, agriculture, heavy-duty, off-road vehicles, shipping, and many other industries. In fact, the More Electric Aircraft (MEA) initiatives are studying the development of electric propulsion systems.
However, engineers cannot simply connect each product to a battery or other source of electricity and hope for the best. Often, implementing electrification initiatives requires a complete redesign of a product’s power systems, or even redesigning the product from scratch.
Digital simulation contributes to not creating physical prototypes and helps change
Which brings us to the next question, how can engineers rethink legacy power systems to run on electricity? The answer lies in something that is also revolutionizing the industry: engineering simulation software.
Engineers implementing electrification initiatives typically face design hurdles in five areas of electrical systems. These areas are power electronics, electrical machines, management of energy sources, integration of electromechanical systems and control software.
Engineers working to redesign traditional systems in electrical systems will experience unique challenges. To overcome these challenges safely, quickly, and economically, engineers can turn to engineering simulation software.
Numerical simulation, i.e. the ability of engineers to make a virtual prototype, is a key technology in supporting the trend of electrification. It allows to develop products more quickly and with less costs; discover how they will work before they are manufactured, anticipate their weak points and improve them.
Simulation software can help engineers ensure that all of their electrical, mechanical, and software control systems interact safely and optimally in early product development cycles without the need to build a physical prototype or waste materials.
Thus, digital simulation makes it possible to reduce or completely replace one of the most polluting manufacturing processes: product assembly and testing. In addition, during the simulation it is possible to clearly see how to achieve the most efficient and least polluting electrification process possible.
Electrification is not going to change the world overnight, but it is an important first step to reduce the negative impact that machines are having on the planet and thanks to simulation we can make the transition efficiently and without further harm. to the environment.