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Optimising robot moves can cut energy use by 40%

27 August, 2015

The project is also developing a variable-voltage DC-based power network architecture that will re-use energy recovered from drive systems, and minimise the number of power conversion stages needed and thus the conversion losses. The aim is to eliminate all braking resistors and 30% of power converters. The use of DC, the absence of the skin effect, and reduced peak power demands, will also reduce the amount of copper needed.

The use of variable DC supply voltages could also reduce power peaks by up to 60%. External AC power compensation systems will be eliminated and power quality functions integrated into DC generation equipment.

The Chalmers University research team (from left): Dr Kristofer Bengtsson, Emma Vidarsson and Professor Bengt Lennartson
Photo: Oscar Mattsson

The project is also aiming to use solar-generated electricity in production equipment and to integrate energy storage and backup systems.

As well as the hardware developments, Areus aims to integrate advanced mathematical models into commercial design tools to simulate sustainability. It will create detailed mathematical models  to simulate bi-directional energy flows and process energy costs. These models will be used for simulation, optimisation and control design




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