PCB + ASSEMBLY Solar
PCB + ASSEMBLY Solar panels can be seen powering devices from decorative garden lighting to streetlights and road signs. Smart streetlights and solar benches are amongst the newest products to fully integrate numerous technologies, such as remote management control, wireless charging and Wi-Fi hotspots all built in, and again, all requiring protection for the electronics used. The chemical industry is playing a strong part in these novel developments, right up the development of solar paint. The possibilities here are seemingly endless. Wind based renewable energy The third renewable source for discussion is wind power, one of our most predominant sources, with the UK currently ranking as the 6th largest producer of wind power in the world. Wind farms capture the energy of wind flow by the use of turbines and convert it into electricity. Commercially positioned wind systems can power many alternative organisations whereas single wind turbines are predominantly used as a method to supplement pre-existing energy sources. (these can change depending upon the location but can include salt mist/spray and limited accessibility). Longevity of component life, reduced maintenance and long-term cost are all key drivers prompting reliable protection systems in the form of either conformal coatings, encapsulation resins or sometimes a combination of both. There are also requirements for thermal management materials within the use of wind turbines and the company was faced with a particularly tricky problem when a ‘greener’ version of a standard thermal interface material was required. It is encouraging that green energy developers are considering all aspects of environmental impact, including the materials used with the manufacture of their products. In this case, the thermal interface material had to be classed as completely non-hazardous and as traditional TIMs contain zinc oxide they were deemed completely unsuitable. Presented with the problem, Electrolube developed a solution specifically for the purpose, HTCX_ZF. This was developed using alternative thermally conductive fillers which removed the zinc oxide and the corresponding H410 hazard phrase, representing toxicity to aquatic life. The product also offered an increased thermal conductivity compared to the standard material and thus offered greater efficiency of heat dissipation in customer testing. The location of the wind farm is as important as the location of any other renewable energy sites. In offshore wind farms, the conditions are much more extreme and corrosive elements such as salt mist can have a detrimental effect on both mechanical and electrical parts. With experience in electronic devices for marine applications, the company can offer support and advice on suitable protection compounds for such applications. Like the developers of integrated technology, Electrolube strives to utilise experience gained from multiple industries and from the varying types of products offered in our range. Combining the understanding of protection levels required, with correct thermal management and suitability for applications such as LED technology, assists in the correct selection of products for complex and critical applications. For example, the use of the company’s products to protect lighting arrays in outdoor applications, such as shopping centres, sports arenas and even aircraft Renewable energy is the harnessing of energy from the earth’s non-exhaustible natural resources. The traditional turbines are huge with very large blades driven by wind power which in turn powers a rotor. This rotor spins the shaft within the tall upright of the turbine and this powers a generator for harnessing electricity. Almost all wind turbines can contain up to 8,000 separate parts including gearboxes, power systems, generators, sensors and devices for electronic control. One of the huge challenges is to assemble these enormous devices, enable a long life and trouble-free operation. All electronics and components mounted in the tower must also be able to withstand constant vibration, temperature changes (extremes), environmental conditions Source: Electrolube Zusammenfassung Wärmemanagementmaterialien, konforme Beschichtungen sowie Harze zur Verkapselung spielen bei der Planung und Wartung von Energieerzeugungs- und Energiegewinnungstechnologien eine entscheidende Rolle für den Schutz, die Zuverlässigkeit und die Lebensdauer der Geräte. Résumé Les matériaux de gestion thermique, les revêtements conformes ainsi que les résines destinées à l’encapsulation jouent un rôle essentiel pour la protection, la fiabilité et la durée de vie des équipements lors de la conception et de la maintenance des technologies de production d’énergie et de collecte d’énergie. Резюме Терморегулирующие материалы, конформные покрытия, а также герметизирующие смолы играют решающую роль при проектировании и обслуживании энергогенерирующих и энергодобывающих технологий для защиты оборудования, обеспечения его работоспособности и срока эксплуатации. 30 EPP EUROPE November 2020
PCB + ASSEMBLY runways, gives confidence and understanding of the potential use of these products to protect the warning lights used on the top of wind turbines. Combine that with their understanding of products in applications where wireless data transfer is required, the smart management of such lighting technology can be successfully achieved, even in such harsh external conditions. The most used form of renewable power in the UK however is carbon-neutral and comes from bio-waste, making use of the unwanted by-products of today’s way of life. Biomass is an alternative fuel made from organic materials, including wood, crops and plants, animal waste and more. Biomass products are burned within a boiler, generating a source of steam to turn a turbine thereby producing electricity. Traditional coal-fired power stations can be converted to run entirely on biomass fuel. Biomass, hydroelectricity and wind power are the three resources on which we depend the most on, in order to achieve cleaner energy goals and reduction of carbon footprint. Whilst the most reliable and productive sources of renewable energy have a heavy reliance on harvesting equipment with a myriad of moving parts, it is clear that electronic developments have been key in the development and integration of these sources into our everyday lives. Over time, the harvesting of energy is likely to become even more automated and entwined with the IoT as trees are being fitted with PV cells and pressure power sensors can now be found underneath high traffic roads. Efficiency and reliability will increase as the level of AI builds. Thermal management materials, conformal coatings and encapsulation resins all have a vital part to play in the protection, reliability and lifetime of devices throughout the planning and maintenance of energy generation and harvesting technologies. www.electrolube.com In the late 19 th century, hydropower was first used for the generation of electricity and has since continued to develop as an important source of renewable power. Source: Electrolube Jade Bridges is the Technical Manager with Electrolube. EPP EUROPE November 2020 31
