A Comprehensive Solution for XXL Projects
A Comprehensive Solution for XXL Projects
Fire Safety: Customized Protection
Equans specializes in sprinkler systems, which protect factories from fire hazards. However, due to their complexity, their highly technical nature, and the risks associated with battery production, gigafactories cannot be protected by sprinklers alone.
The main danger involves a spontaneous fire in one or more cells. This could, in fact, lead to the generation of a significant amount of heat outside the battery and spread rapidly. In this case, the battery’s components trigger a chain reaction, causing a highly reactive fire that is difficult to control.
One of Equans’ specialties is providing a comprehensive service, ranging from analysis of each site by engineering firms to the construction and maintenance ofa system consisting of a series of fire detection and automatic suppression devices: fire suppression gases (inert or inhibitory) to lower the oxygen content and alter the chemical reaction of combustion; automatic detectors for smoke, heat, flames, particle counts, etc., and thermal imaging cameras designed to identify heat sources.
This equipment is connected to a control center that also manages all relevant alarm systems to trigger the fastest possible response from firefighting resources.
Equans’ Long-Standing Expertise
Addressing energy efficiency challenges and new regulations requires the implementation of concrete solutions, such as those deployed by Equans: energy recovery wherever possible, the most appropriate energy choices, high-performance heat pumps, LED lighting, renewable energy, centralized and combined energy production...
The company is able to support its clients with their energy production, transmission, and distribution infrastructure.
With proven expertise in the design and construction of high-voltage lines and substations, building electrification, grid backup solutions, and maintenance. Equans offers a full range of low- and high-voltage solutions.
Contribute to a more sustainable industrial process
Energy optimization is crucial not only for the development of electric mobility, but also for the energy transition and for issues of cost-effectiveness.
Today, it takes about 50 kWh to produce 1 kWh of battery capacity. Similarly, gigafactories are particularly energy-intensive due to their installed electrical capacity of 100 to 150 MW, which equates to tens of 2 cmillions of euros in energy consumption each year.
For Equans, meeting this challenge requires getting involved as early as possible in the client’s master plan. This is necessary to conduct a thorough analysis in order to design and implement energy-efficiency solutions.
In addition to renewable energy, recovered energy represents an attractive source of savings and efficiency.
With a comprehensive approach to utilities, it is possible to carefully examine both energy needs and the heat sources integrated into the processes to identify opportunities for reusing the heat generated by one of them to meet part of the site’s energy needs.
“ CHANGE YOUR PERSPECTIVE ”
Currently, the approach based on evaluating capital expenditures (Capex) is favored in bids for the construction of gigafactories, so the delivery price remains the top criterion, at the expense of operating costs (OpEx). A genuine shift is needed to replace the focus on capital investment with the total cost of ownership (TCO
), which incorporates both operating costs (energy consumption + maintenance) and capital investment.
This is all the more relevant given that the coating and drying processes for electrode production alone account for nearly one-third of a gigafactory’s energy consumption. Powering anhydrous rooms and cleanrooms is the other major energy expense prior to the final battery preparation (formation and aging). The potential for energy recovery from the high-temperature effluents of the drying process and the regeneration requirements of the desiccant wheels is one of the key areas for improving energy efficiency in the battery manufacturing process. This is therefore both a climate and an economic challenge, especially since energy costs are expected to rise in the coming years.
“ WHAT SOLUTION DOES EQUANS OFFER? ”
Equans offers a comprehensive approach to Gigafab design, getting involved as early as possible in the preliminary design phase; only at this stage can the right energy and technical choices be made and become cost-effective, and only then can the TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) approach help the client make informed decisions
Read the rest of the article
Our approach to recruiting? Combining simplicity and flexibility
Would you like to play an active role in the upcoming energy, industrial, and digital transitions? Join our team, all of whom are committed to decarbonizing our clients’ production, digitizing their production methods, and reindustrializing local regions.
Whether you’re just starting your career or already have more experience, our recruitment process is designed to be agile and flexible. Here, there are no complicated processes.
We’re committed to making your application process as simple as possible. Our recruitment portal allows you to apply for our job openings quickly and easily. If you have any questions, our ambassadors are here to help. For any other inquiries, our teams are at your disposal.
