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High-Efficiency Axial Flux Machines

Project description

Safer, more efficient and cost-effective electric motor technology

Electric motors and generators are ubiquitous in everyday life, from home appliances to internal combustion engines and wind turbines. Currently, most electric motors and generators are based on the radial flux topology. Axial flux motors provide a better alternative to the currently used radial flux motor technology which results in long and heavy drivetrains. Moreover, they deliver a high efficiency at a very broad range of rotational speeds. The EU-funded HEAF project plans to develop a unique, proprietary variant of an axial flux motor that has substantial advantages compared to current systems. The new motor will demonstrate higher efficiency and reduced length and mass, while at the same time require fewer materials for its production.

Objective

Electric machines (generators and motors) are ubiquitous, the cornerstones of the modern world and the transition into a low-carbon economy. The impact of electrical machine’s performance on all aspects of energy, from cost-effectiveness to environmental footprint, cannot be overstated. Most machines, however, are based induction motor + gearboxes combinations. These have limited efficiencies and poor reliability, making them unsuitable for applications in e.g. wind power turbines. More advanced direct drive (gearbox-less) machines suffer from cost, size, and efficiency limitations. Most current solutions do not provide a good fit to the requirements of advanced machine usage, where efficiency, mass, volume, reliability, cost-effectiveness, and volume production remain limitations.
Magnax is a Belgian startup team combining unique practical engineering and commercial start-up experience with world-class electric machine research. We have developed a unique, proprietary variant of axial flux direct drive machine, which can provide a step change in efficiency, size, reliability, manufacturing resource requirement, and cost-effectiveness.
Magnax has developed a 100kW full-scale MVP prototype, which is undergoing testing in commercially viable prototype systems within micro-grid wind power solution. The proposed project will develop this concept further: scaling it to MW generators for use in offshore/utility wind power projects, and developing a high-speed motor (HS) version for use in demanding electric motor applications – such as electric vehicles. In phase 1, we will analyse these broader potential markets, and develop a roadmap to take the MW and HS products to market via validation in commercial trials (phase 2), and scaling to market (phase 3).

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

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Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

SME-1 - SME instrument phase 1

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Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) H2020-SMEInst-2016-2017

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Coordinator

MAGNAX
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 50 000,00
Address
EVOLIS 100
8500 Kortrijk
Belgium

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SME

The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.

Yes
Region
Vlaams Gewest Prov. West-Vlaanderen Arr. Kortrijk
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
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Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 71 429,00
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