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powercore® electrical steelThe secret star of the energy and mobility transition
While wind turbines and solar panels are prominent symbols of clean energy, it is the material behind the scenes that makes the green transformation possible in the first place: powercore® electrical steel. It is used, for example, in wind turbine generators, converting energy from one voltage to another with low losses in transformers, and providing drive in electric motors.
Turning motion into electricity: powercore® electrical steel
Electrical steel is manufactured through a complex process and is a truly key component for the energy and mobility transition: It plays a major role in meeting our energy needs and reducing CO2 emissions.
Where rotational motion needs to be efficiently converted into electrical energy or energy must be transformed from one voltage to another with minimal loss, the electrical steel demonstrates its strengths. For example, in wind turbine generators, where it reliably converts mechanical energy into electricity. In transformers, it enables the efficient transmission and distribution of energy. In electric motors, it provides the necessary drive. In all these applications, the specific properties of the material are of paramount importance.
powercore® electrical steel from thyssenkrupp Steel forms the basis for efficient generators, transformers, and electric motors, supporting the energy and mobility transition.
Properties of electrical steel: grain-oriented or non-grain-oriented - that is the question
For electrical steel, a distinction must be made between two variants: grain-oriented and non-grain-oriented. In the wind energy sector, for example, materials are needed that can convert rotation into energy. This is no problem for non grain oriented electrical steel from thyssenkrupp Steel, which is used in generators. This soft magnetic steel efficiently concentrates and amplifies the magnetic flux inside generators, allowing mechanical rotational energy in wind turbines to be converted into electric current with minimal losses. Additionally, non-grain-oriented electrical steel of the powercore® Traction brand from thyssenkrupp Steel is used in electric motors.
By contrast, grain oriented electrical steel from thyssenkrupp Electrical Steel is used in transformers and charging columns for electric vehicles. It is characterized by a pronounced magnetic orientation of the crystal structure, resulting in improved magnetic properties. The advantage is low-loss energy transmission.
With its soft magnetic properties, powercore® electrical steel enables highly efficient energy conversion and power transmission.
Top quality: High quality saves energy
This efficiency makes a decisive contribution to the energy turnaround and can even be quantified: In transformers, thyssenkrupp electrical steel can increase energy efficiency by as much as 40%. Hair-thin strips of grain-oriented electrical steel made of an iron-silicon alloy, often no thicker than 0.23 millimeters, are used in transformers. They are increasingly made of bluemint® powercore®, a CO2-reduced and therefore more climate-friendly material.
The precise structure of powercore® electrical steel is key to the high energy efficiency of transformers, generators, and electric motors.
Great potential for the energy transition — but also a major production challenge
The production of electrical steel is so complex that many manufacturers shy away from it. But as demanding as production may be, electrical steel is essential for our future. thyssenkrupp Electrical Steel is one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of high-tech electrical steel. This is also because the company places a high priority on collaboration. To reliably advance the energy transition and meet the growing demands in this area, thyssenkrupp continuously conducts research on the material and its properties through long-term partnerships and in collaboration with customers. Electrical steel is indispensable to the energy and mobility transitions. It is the key material for core components in energy generation and distribution and is what makes the electrification of the powertrain possible in the first place.