The Sevillian company Blowind has taken a giant step to promote electric vehicles with the development of a energy generator capable of increasing its autonomy, also in the transport of large routes.
The startup, promoted by the Ministry of University, Research and Innovation promotes, together with Vodafone and through the Minerva Program, has created an electric generator that takes advantage of the wind energy generated by the movement of the vehicle itself, a pioneering technology that has required years research and development of several patents.
This innovative solution seeks facilitate long-distance journeys for the transport of goods and people in an environment of sustainable mobility, increasing autonomy and reducing operational cost.
To achieve this goal, the Sevillian startup uses high temperature superconductors and ultralight materials, which makes it possible for the device to be capable of driving heavy vehicles with sufficient autonomy to guarantee the profitability of long-distance journeys.
The key to the design of the generator has been the application of cutting-edge technology such as superconductors and cryogenics in its own engineering development, which allows taking advantage of the wind energy generated by the movement of the vehicle and transforming it into electrical energy, increasing the autonomy of the batteries without need to recharge.
The company, founded in 2019, has begun to carry out the first simulations that indicate that, with a system of generators adapted to the different types of vehicles, powers from 20 kW to 200 kW can be achieved, which would double the autonomy of these. In terms of energy, it would mean a 50% saving in the energy consumed. These initial estimates will then have to be tested in a real environment. Blowind has started manufacturing its first prototype to carry out this type of testing in 2023.
80,000 zero emission trucks by 2030
Transportation is the cause of 37% of CO2 emissions of the planet and achieving climate neutrality by 2050 is one of the firm commitments that the EU has made through the European Green Deal. To do this, the transport sector must undergo a transformation that will require a 90% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
In addition, the EU aims to have 80,000 zero-emission trucks by 2030, but currently, according to data from the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA), this type of electric vehicle is an exception in Europe, since 96% of sales of trucks corresponds to the diesel type. The units sold of electric trucks in 2020 were only 852.
This innovation created by Blowind can contribute to accelerating the transition from the combustion vehicle to the electric vehicle, since its product installed in trucks would allow it to be given greater autonomy to carry out routes in optimal conditions, without detours to recharging points and at a cost that allows you to make the investment profitable.
The Minerva Program, which turns ten years old in 2022, has already launched nine editions in which it has contributed to the consolidation of Andalusian technology companies by detecting their business potential. The support of the Ministry of University, Research and Innovation for this type of initiative responds to the priority set by the regional executive to turn entrepreneurship into one of the engines of economic transformation in Andalusia.
