5 Ways How Tapes Can Help to Alleviate Energy Crisis Challenges
The world’s demand for energy is constantly increasing. Energy is the backbone of virtually everything. Industry, transport, communication — these are just a few examples from the endless list of areas that are affected by and reliant on energy. Not to mention, in our daily lives, we rely on it as well.
With limited fossil energy resources and their impact on the environment, new methods of generating, storing, and using energy are becoming ever more important. Join us on a journey to explore how tapes can help address energy supply challenges. They influence various stages, such as renewable energy production, conversion and storage, as well as transport and energy-saving opportunities in buildings.
On our journey to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, energy production from renewable sources such as the sun, wind, and water is growing worldwide. Increasing the number of renewable energy production units is one approach. Another is to enhance the efficiency of both existing and new installations.
Tapes are used in emerging renewable energy markets to streamline composite moulding processes in wind blade production, protecting tools and equipment and creating improved surface structures. They also help to build the world’s largest wind turbines that reach higher air layers for even better output.
Adhesive tapes are also used for the bonding requirements of solar power. They are optimised to withstand stresses from outdoor exposure and protect sensitive components. They can facilitate production and assembly and combine unique functional performance in one product. Special foam and tape technologies provide excellent sealing and watertight properties for many wind, solar, and hydro-energy production applications.
Most of the generated energy is not consumed directly where it has been produced. It needs to be transported and therefore transformed. In transformers, motors and generators, tapes play important roles in enabling higher performance, reduced maintenance and prolonged lifespan through reliable protection and insulation under extreme conditions.
With the increasing demand for greener transformers, solutions such as those based on more sustainable resins inspire developers to design specialised tapes that provide the excellent chemical resistance and compatibility required for innovative power supply.
Solar and wind provide “intermittent” electricity. Their energy production varies depending on the weather. In addition to the difference between where energy is produced and where it is needed, power is also required when there is no wind or sun. This can result in periods when there is too much electricity available — and not enough at other times. This is commonly referred to as the “grid-level energy storage problem” and is where energy storage becomes important.
There are various forms of energy storage, including pumped hydroelectricity, hydrogen, compressed air, heat, lifted weight storage (LWS) in gravity batteries, etc., which store energy at one time so it can be used at another.
For Battery Energy Storage Solutions (BESS), mainly based on lithium-ion as used in Electric Vehicles (EV), compression pads, thermal interface materials, and thermal runaway protection materials can help to enhance the performance of the batteries, extend their lifespan, maximise charging cycle numbers, and improve protection through innovative thermal properties.
We have seen that tapes are reliable components in renewable energy production, transformation and storage. They enhance protection, safety and performance in BESS. The main driver behind BESS materials has been the advancements in batteries used in EVs.
In lithium-ion batteries, innovative compression pads used between the cells combine defined pressure on cells during charging and discharging with thermal and electrical isolation for improved performance and lifespan. Thermal Interface Materials (TIM) help dissipate heat and regulate battery temperatures. Thermal Runaway Protection (TRP) materials create a thermal barrier to reduce fire propagation, enhancing safety in the event of an exothermic reaction.
These materials and technologies help EVs to travel further, but one of the greatest challenges electric mobility faces today is the time required to recharge. Fast or ultra-fast charging are the key terms, and specialised tapes provide excellent electrical insulation or help seal charging stations against environmental factors to reduce charging time while maximising safety and protection simultaneously.
New and more efficient technologies in energy supply and mobility are important pillars, but the greatest impact can be achieved when combined with energy savings. With approximately 40% of total global greenhouse gas emissions, the building and construction industry is a heavyweight in the truest sense of the word.
Renovating existing buildings, constructing new highly energy-efficient buildings, and adopting new technologies such as lightweight construction are examples of significantly reducing emissions. And guess what: tapes can play a key role here.
They help create air- and watertight building envelopes for exceptional energy efficiency and optimal living comfort indoors. Advanced foam materials combine sealing, dampening, and fire protection in a single product, which also helps to maximise acoustic comfort.
There is significant potential in lightweight and prefab construction, where foams and tapes are used in various sealing and bonding applications.
We are nearing the end of the journey in exploring how tapes can help address energy supply challenges. Although this is only the tip of the iceberg, there is much in motion, and small components like foams and tapes are enabling engineers across the globe to design new ways of powering the future.