In recent years, we are seeing a rapid increase in the rate of electrification in industry, with fossil fuels being phased out in favour of more environmentally friendly power options. As a result of this trend, there is growing demand for high-power electrical connector solutions that offer high performance, even in harsh operating environments. Here Shaun Findley, European Director of Product and Purchasing at electrical connector specialist PEI-Genesis, discusses some of the key areas of demand and the high-power connector solutions available for these applications.
To tackle climate change, Nationally Determined Contribution objectives have advised that the global demand for electricity will increase by 80 to 90 per cent by 2050. These objectives resulted from the Paris Agreement in 2015, an agreement made at the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference, which aimed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
Renewable energy sources could produce more than half of the world’s electricity by 2035 and do so at a fraction of the cost of fossil fuel, according to reports from McKinsey & Company.
As the world continues to push for greener energy sources, industry is adjusting how it sources its energy. Take electrical connector manufacturers for example, in this industry there is increasing competition to gain market share for increasing the power distribution capability of connectors. Electrification impacts many markets across the interconnect industry, such as the military and industrial sectors.
Electrification and the Military Market
The global military vehicle electrification market size and share revenue are expected to grow from $4.8bn in 2020 to $8.6bn by 2025 at a 13 per cent annual compound annual growth rate from 2021-2026, according to a market research report by Facts and Factors.
This growth has been attributed to both demand for new technologies and a push to go green. Countries worldwide are beginning to invest in electric military vehicle research to improve the stealth, speed and power of vehicles, and many are noticing that autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicles — which depend heavily on electrification — reduce human loss on the battlefield. Furthermore, countries can leverage electrification to reduce military spending by investing in longer-lasting, environmentally friendly energy sources. The European region is expected to lead in the military EV market because of its strict emissions regulations.
Electrification and the Industrial Market
The Environmental Protection Agency reports that roughly 23 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States come from the industrial sector. It is estimated that electrification can replace almost 50 per cent of the fuel sources used by industrial companies, according to McKinsey & Company. However, this level of electrification requires rugged, dependable high-power industrial connectors.
The Amphenol ecomate® RM series of circular, metal connectors are ideal for electrification across military and industrial applications. These circular connectors have an IP67 rating when mated, and a maximum current rating of 300A. They are available in both standard and high amperage versions and are equipped with a user-friendly bayonet coupling system.
These connectors are also available in kits, available with the connector, required contacts and the appropriate Backshell or gasket for your application. This simplifies the ordering process for end users so they can focus on getting up and running as quickly as possible.
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