Pioneering work in the REASSERT project – electric motors get a second life
Böblingen | January 17, 2024 – At a time when the electrification of the powertrain is advancing inexorably and electric motors contain valuable resources such as electrical steel, copper, and rare earths, BRIGHT Testing GmbH is playing a pioneering role. Its mission is to utilize these resources through innovative value retention strategies, thereby making a significant contribution to achieving medium-term CO2 targets. As a proud member of the REASSERT consortium, led by Schaeffler, BRIGHT Testing is passionately committed to the project, which aims to repair and refurbish electric motors and make them available for a second phase of use.
The consortium to which BRIGHT Testing belongs also includes renowned partners such as the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA, the wbk Institute for Production Technology at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, iFAKT GmbH, and Riebesam GmbH & Co. KG. Together, they are focusing on innovative value retention strategies at REASSERT, including repair, reuse, and remanufacturing. These strategies aim to reduce the consumption of natural resources and minimize waste volumes.
The project partners understand the term “repair” to mean the replacement of defective components and assemblies. “Reuse” refers to the reuse of the entire electric motor in a further phase of use. In the “remanufacture” strategy, electric motors are reconditioned so that they correspond to a new part with a full warranty in terms of quality. If the condition of the electric motor makes it impossible to apply the three strategies mentioned above, recycling remains an option.
As part of the project, BRIGHT will design the input and output tests and develop and manufacture the necessary testing technology. The findings will contribute to the development of an electric motor that can be seamlessly integrated into the circular economy.
The repair of electric motors poses a major challenge, particularly for independent repair shops, due to their complexity and technical requirements. The REASSERT consortium, including BRIGHT Testing, is working intensively on a solution for reconditioning electric motors for further use in the aftermarket. This initiative not only offers environmental benefits, but also pays off financially for vehicle owners, as there is no need to replace the motor with a new one.
As a proud member of the consortium driving the REASSERT project forward, BRIGHT Testing is committed to sustainable solutions in electromobility.
Read more here: https://www.fraunhofer.de/en/press/research-news/2024/january-2024/electromobility-second-life-for-electric-motors.html