The sustainability has now become a crucial issue that cuts across all industrial and business sectors. Growing concern about climate change and the need to preserve our natural resources has led many companies to re-evaluate their practices and adopt more environmentally responsible approaches.
In this context, NCPOWERa leading company dedicated to the electrification and development of energy solutions, has taken on a new project to develop a strong commitment to sustainability and has made this philosophy the core of its business strategy.
Electrification involves zero emissions and represents an important pathway for the energy transition that many manufacturers are embracing by moving away from polluting fossil fuel sources. For NCPOWER, product design is key in this direction.
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) address a wide range of global challenges, from poverty eradication to climate action to responsible production and consumption. And NCPOWER aligns with these goals through our sustainable products and practices.
The role of lithium towards sustainability
The lithium has acquired great relevance in the context of the transition to a greener and more sustainable economy. As a key element in lithium-ion batteries, this material has revolutionised the electric mobility sector, providing a cleaner and more efficient alternative to fossil fuels.
Lithium batteries offer a higher energy densityThis allows for longer range and more efficient performance in electric utility and commercial vehicles. In addition, lithium has a longer life cycle compared to other battery technologies, contributing to greater durability and reduced waste.
Lithium-ferrophosphate technology (LiFePO4)
We choose Li-Fe-PO4 chemistry, the safest and most stable chemistry on the market, to make our batteries. A LifePo4 battery has a much longer life: more than 4,000 recharge cycles and a low environmental impact. Technologies that last longer need to be replaced less frequently and therefore require fewer natural resources.
A far cry from traditional, polluting lead acid batteries, our batteries are entirely cobalt-free (material with high environmental impact).
An example of NCPOWER's commitment to innovation is the implementation of third generation cells in our latest battery packs. This improvement has enabled a considerable increase in the energy density of the battery packs, resulting in greater energy efficiency and a reduced carbon footprint. By combining these advanced cells with LiFePo4 chemistry, known for its high safety and stability, we have created safer and more environmentally friendly batteries.
BMS: the battery status indicator
Each battery is equipped with a BMS (Battery Management System). In addition to performing cell balancing, which increases battery life, our BMS estimates the state of charge (SOC) and state of health (SOH) of the battery from the battery voltage and current values. This makes battery performance more stable over time, prevents failures and enables self-diagnosis and predictive maintenance.. Ultimately, this translates into a deeper understanding of battery usage and a realistic estimation of battery life.
Battery disposal and recovery
Behind NCPOWER's commitment to research, synergies are created so that the whole sector can start producing according to sustainability criteria, researching more efficient and easily recyclable materials that are aligned with the concepts of:
- Sustainable design. Avoid the use of environmentally harmful materials during the construction process and eliminate from the production process the stages that cause pollution.
- Easy to dismantle design. Designing the battery with agile mechanics, facilitating its opening and speeding up disassembly processes at the end of its useful life.
- Ready-to-recycle design. Consider the use of easily recyclable materials at the design stage.
Research, development and innovation
We keep our eyes fixed on an increasingly sustainable future and anticipate European demands and regulations by continually investing in materials research and skills geared towards efficiency and sustainability.
This is the focal point of our Research and Development department, which today represents more than 60% of the staff and works every day to find solutions that do not negatively impact the environment and at the same time anticipate the needs of our customers.
Personalised collaboration as consultants
Supporting electric vehicle manufacturers in their transition to sustainability through technological innovation, we work from the design stage, which sets us apart in the way we operate.
We develop technologies and manufacture highly customised, high value-added lithium batteries to promote greater sustainability.
Partnerships to achieve the objectives
Partnerships with partners are essential, not only to offer the best solutions to customers, but also to grow and move forward in an innovative way as a company. We build collaborative and trusting relationships that result in stronger, safer and more responsible products and services.
We have partnered, among others, with research centres and associations of battery manufacturers.
Work-life balance, flexibility and teleworking
We keep the team motivated by working morning shifts that are adapted to the needs of the workforce to benefit the work-life balance. There is also teleworking and flexible working hours as a way of attracting talent to the company.
Digitisation plan
Thanks to digitalisation, we improve productivity, reduce operating costs, improve internal management, strengthen our brand image and minimise our environmental impact.
See original content here: Making lithium batteries sustainable to move towards responsible development
