No need for external power supply on new Demag crane

The core components of a bridge crane include the crane runway, bridge, hoist unit, drive equipment and the power supply from the central power supply system to the travelling hoist. Until now, that applied to all industrial cranes. 

However, the new Zero Emission V-type crane does not need an external power supply for handling and transporting loads, since it draws the energy for its long and cross-travel motions and its hoist unit via a lithium-ion rechargeable battery pack, which is installed on the crane bridge.

The battery pack can be recharged via charging connectors at the end of the crane runway or – if there are several cranes on one runway – via pass-through charging stations, which then draw their energy from a buffer battery located on the ground. This battery is fed by CO2-neutral and eco-friendly solar panels.

The bridge crane concept has been implemented based on tried-and-tested Demag components both for the crane and drive systems as well as for the solar power and energy storage solutions.

The Zero Emission V-type crane is equipped with Demag Status Control, which records and documents all current and relevant crane data in real time. For this type of crane, this also includes the charge level of the batteries and a forecast of the time remaining until the next charging cycle. The data can be centrally recorded or de-centrally transferred, for example, to tablet computers and smartphones. The status messages can be visualised direct on the crane with Demag StatusBoard.

Adaptable

If the customer prefers, Zero Emission V-type cranes can be configured as complete solutions including their power supply. This also includes specification of the solar power system and the buffer battery on the basis of the relevant crane data, such as the load capacity and the number of load cycles. If required, the drive system can be equipped for energy recovery, and the solution can also be connected to wind turbines instead of solar power systems.

Development of the battery crane with a V-type girder was initiated by a European Demag customer, who considered sustainability and energy efficiency in his investment decision and wanted a crane with a CO2-neutral power supply, as far as possible.

The special design of the V-shaped girder section provides an average weight saving of 17% in comparison with a conventional box-section girder. The optimised ratio of deadweight and lifting capacity make it possible to gain load capacity – or, as in the case of the Zero Emission V-type crane, for a high-performance rechargeable battery pack to be carried on the crane.

The Demag engineers have developed a safety and reliability concept, which also includes continuous monitoring of the charge level. An emergency power supply is not necessary.