The project aims to realize an agricultural tractor powered only by electricity, through fuel cells or rechargeable batteries from renewable sources, with an expected power up to 60 hp. It's a highly innovative technology if compared with the state of art. Currently agricultural tractors are powered by diesel engines, with serious environmental problems due to air emissions, consumption of energy sources and transfer of contaminants to crops grown. At the same time the electric motor improves the operator's safety conditions by drastic reduction of noise and vibrations. Next challenges in the future are to improve more and more the electric tractors, increasing performance and operating time and solving the current problems of batteries' disposal at end of life cycle. Tractors in the world are 34 million, so the commercial potential of innovation affects all the world and represents a technological solution currently non-existent which will enable Rodag company to recover large market share over competitors, with an increase of competitiveness of EU's industry, starting with small vineyard tractors. The potential users are farmers in all parts of the world, who need small tracked tractors for cultivation of difficult areas (steep slopes) or confined spaces (greenhouses). The project meets their need to limit the impact on the fragile environment in which they operate (mountains, sea coast), key aspect for their high-quality products. In Phase 1 a detailed feasibility study will be carried out related to technical and economic challenges associated with the innovation (market analysis, cost-benefit analysis for the manufacturer and users, IPR management, environmental compatibility analysis, project risk analysis). Project's Phase 2 intends to accomplish and test a first prototype, also involving a research institution. The scope of innovation will be a global scale, because despite many attempts no one has yet made an electric tractor to ensure suitable performance.
Electrically powered agricultural tractor (ELPGAT Project Phase 1)
Danilo Rabino
2014
Abstract
The project aims to realize an agricultural tractor powered only by electricity, through fuel cells or rechargeable batteries from renewable sources, with an expected power up to 60 hp. It's a highly innovative technology if compared with the state of art. Currently agricultural tractors are powered by diesel engines, with serious environmental problems due to air emissions, consumption of energy sources and transfer of contaminants to crops grown. At the same time the electric motor improves the operator's safety conditions by drastic reduction of noise and vibrations. Next challenges in the future are to improve more and more the electric tractors, increasing performance and operating time and solving the current problems of batteries' disposal at end of life cycle. Tractors in the world are 34 million, so the commercial potential of innovation affects all the world and represents a technological solution currently non-existent which will enable Rodag company to recover large market share over competitors, with an increase of competitiveness of EU's industry, starting with small vineyard tractors. The potential users are farmers in all parts of the world, who need small tracked tractors for cultivation of difficult areas (steep slopes) or confined spaces (greenhouses). The project meets their need to limit the impact on the fragile environment in which they operate (mountains, sea coast), key aspect for their high-quality products. In Phase 1 a detailed feasibility study will be carried out related to technical and economic challenges associated with the innovation (market analysis, cost-benefit analysis for the manufacturer and users, IPR management, environmental compatibility analysis, project risk analysis). Project's Phase 2 intends to accomplish and test a first prototype, also involving a research institution. The scope of innovation will be a global scale, because despite many attempts no one has yet made an electric tractor to ensure suitable performance.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
