JAPAN REPORT
Tadano, a major manufacturer of cranes, has converted one of its crawler cranes, which can lift up to 1600 tons, to electric power. By changing the power source from a diesel engine to an electric motor, the company has been able to maintain the performance of the existing product while reducing CO2 emissions to zero. The company converted its CC 88.1600-1 lattice boom crawler crane to electric power. This is a large crane equipped with crawlers instead of tires, and is used in plant and bridge construction, as well as wind power installation.
The electrified crane is connected by cable to the main unit and power supply equipment, and two 390-kilowatt electric motors drive the hydraulic pump. There are no CO2 emissions during operation. Compared to existing products powered by diesel engines, this crane will reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 55 tons per year. The crane itself will be manufactured in Germany, while the electrification equipment will be produced in Japan. The crane is expected to go on sale in the summer of 2025 as part of the company’s EVOLT line of electrified products.
The company will also make existing products already sold compatible with electrification. The necessary modifications, such as replacing the drive container, which is the heart of the crane, will be kept to a minimum. The company will respond flexibly to customers’ electrification needs.
Source: The Nikkei
PSR Analysis: There is a strong demand for decarbonization of machinery used in clean energy generation, such as offshore wind power. The same applies to large cranes. They have already commercialized an electric luffing crane that can work for about 5 hours and travel about 42 km. The specifications will probably be improved in the future, but I think the market should first appreciate the fact that the product has been commercialized as an option for users. PSR
Akihiro Komuro is Research Analyst, Far East and Southeast Asia, for Power Systems Research
