Magnetics Business & Technology - January/February 2022 - 8

FEATURE ARTICLE
Diesel Icon Volvo Penta Moves Aggressively into E-Propulsion
want to rotate the foam pump for example. To achieve this, the
Volvo Penta engineers created a system that is completely cutting
edge in terms of Volvo Group technology.
Breakthrough e-firetruck powered by four Volvo Penta e-drives
From powering firetrucks to ferryboats, Volvo Penta is aggressively
building its prowess in the design and production of
electric drivelines and e-propulsion systems. Long known as a
supplier of diesel power systems for industrial and marine markets,
the Swedish sibling of Volvo automobile and truck brands
is making bold steps toward electrification as the markets that it
serves increasingly electrify their transportation platforms.
On the road, firetrucks require a lot of power. Each of the breakthrough
red screamers shown above from fire service manufacturer
Rosenbauer rely on four permanent-magnet synchronous
machines using technology pioneered by Volvo's truck and
automobile companies. On the sea, Volvo Penta is looking to its
fresh acquisition of Norwegian company ZEM to drive forward
its capabilities in making e-propulsion systems for marine
markets. ZEM integrates Danfoss Editron permanent-magnet
electric motors into its systems.
In July, Volvo Penta announced that it was beginning serial
production of electric drivelines for Rosenbauer's pioneering
fire truck, named " Revolutionary Technology " (RT). With a completely
new vehicle architecture and incorporating technology
from Volvo Trucks and Volvo Buses, It becomes the world's first
electric fire truck, say the companies.
Giorgio Paris, president of
Volvo Penta Industrial
" We announced our emob partnership
with Rosenbauer in 2019, and
we have gone from concept to start
of production in record time, " says
Giorgio Paris, president of Volvo
Penta Industrial. " This is a milestone
in our electrification journey. We
see a growing demand for electric
solutions in the market today and
- through collaboration and pilot
projects, such as this one - we aim
to meet this demand and the expectations
of the future. "
The RT pushed Volvo Penta's electric drivelines to new heights.
Unlike other Volvo group EVs that might have two or sometimes
three electric machines, the RT required four to do its job. All
four electric machines have to be able to run simultaneously -
two for propulsion, one for the range extender to provide extra
battery power, and one for electric power takeoff, if fire-fighters
8 Magnetics Business & Technology * January/February 2022
In June, Volvo Penta moved resolutely toward marine e-propulsion
when it acquired majority ownership of Norwegian marine
battery and electric driveline solutions supplier ZEM AS. The
company has 12 years of market experience as a supplier of
both marine battery systems and complete electric drivelines
and a strong track record in Norway, the most mature marine
e-mobility market in the world.
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Due to the required
compact dimensions
of a city fire truck,
Volvo Penta created
a new Active
Cooling Unit (ACU).
This component was
developed in part
collaboration with
Rosenbauer. The
new ACU draws on
a 600V system -
instead of the conventional 24V - this extra power allows Volvo
Penta to not only cool the batteries but also offer cooling capacity
to the vehicle. The two propulsion motors have the potential
to provide a total output of up to 360 kW (490 hp) and impart a
propulsion and an acceleration to the RT comparable to airport
rescue and fire-fighting vehicles with 1,000-hp engines.
Three test firetrucks have already been delivered to Berlin,
Amsterdam and Dubai. So far, the crews have been amazed at
the vehicle's battery capacity and the many other advantages
of not having a large diesel engine such as increased crew
cabin space and more side panel storage. Now the first electric
drivelines have entered the production stage at the Volvo Penta
Vara plant in Sweden.
" The RT's success in real-world field tests and the start of
production of the electric driveline are two milestones in Volvo
Penta's electrification journey, " concludes Giorgio. " A journey
that will continue to be reinforced through strong collaboration.
We will continue to perform and transform - focusing on today's
technology while at the same time further developing zeroemission
solutions at an accelerated pace. "
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Magnetics Business & Technology - January/February 2022

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