Technology Trending: grid control software, industrial digital twin, BMW iX5
This week on the technology radar: Grid control with fusion research software, Telefónica demos an industrial digital twin and BMW iX5’s hydrogen vehicle is hitting the roads.
Grid control with fusion research software
The UK Atomic Energy Authority’s fusion plasma control software, ‘MARTe’, could help grid operators manage the increasing integration of renewable energy generators and bolster grid resilience, the Authority has found in a study with the Oxford-based energy solution startup Sygensis.
MARTe was first developed in 1995 at UKAEA and has been continuously improved since then to provide plasma control and protection systems for the Joint European Torus programme. It was made open-source in 2010 and has been adopted internationally for fusion research programmes, including ITER, the larger and more advanced version of JET.
Nizar Ben Ayed, Fusion Innovation Technologist at UKAEA, says there is a rapidly emerging need for improved control systems that provide system level control in addition to grid level harmonisation across generators and loads.
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One of MARTe’s functions is to help control an entire plasma system comprising heating, fuelling, shaping and management of superconducting magnets.
As a result of the initial study with Sygensys, MARTe’s user interface will be developed to help improve communication between operators and multiple devices, which will also benefit the fusion community. The software will also be assessed for potential applications in other adjacent sectors such as the automotive and space industries.
Telefónica demos industrial digital twin
As an example of how mobile operators are continuing to expand and exploit the opportunities offered by the evolving networks, at the Mobile World Congress 2023 Spanish telco giant Telefónica demonstrated a 5G connected digital twin designed to optimise the production of industrial parts.
The demo under the name ‘Making Smart Industry happen’ also draws on technologies including edge computing, data analytics and machine learning to create the digital twin.
The digital twin features a robotic arm from the German factory automation manufacturer Kuka that simulates the construction of an industrial part and is synchronised with the digital representation of the robotic arm and the part.
Digital twins contribute to the efficiency and sustainability of the manufacturing process by mitigating risks, optimising resources and saving energy and raw materials and are key to the creation of more competitive, efficient and sustainable business models, says Telefónica.
BMW launches iX5 hydrogen vehicle
After four years of development, BMW’s iX5 hydrogen model is hitting the roads and over the course of the next year the pilot fleet will be used by various target groups for trial and demonstration purposes worldwide.
BMW has developed and is producing its own hydrogen fuel cell system, using individual fuel cells from Toyota and special components that complement their combustion engine analogues, such as the intercooler, air filter, control units and sensor technology.
With a high performance lithium-ion battery developed specifically for the vehicle, the powertrain brings a maximum output of 295kW/401hp to the road, BMW reports.
The gaseous hydrogen required to supply the fuel cell is stored in two 700-bar tanks made from carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic. Together, they hold 6kg of hydrogen, which should give the iX5 a range of 504km. Refuelling the hydrogen tanks takes just three to four minutes.
“Hydrogen is the missing piece in the jigsaw when it comes to emission-free mobility. One technology on its own will not be enough to enable climate-neutral mobility worldwide,” says Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG.
