Nidec ASI working to expand production from the world’s largest natural gas field
Innovative Nidec motors confirm their leading role in the electrification of the LNG sector
Milan, 18 September 2023 – Nidec ASI, part of the Nidec Group’s Energy & Infrastructure Division, has signed a €30 million agreement for the production of €30 million agreement for the production and supply of 6 electric motors of 45MW each to support the production expansion of the world’s largest natural gas field located in Qatar.
The goal is to reach a production of 126 million tonnes per year of LNG (liquefied natural gas) by 2028 through the implementation of two new gas transport trains that will make Qatar one of the world’s largest LNG exporters and Europe’s largest supplier.
The project stands at the heart of the major transformation Europe is undergoing in terms of energy supplies after Russia cut off natural gas supplies and forced countries to look for alternative energy sources. LNG is the ideal solution to rely on to fill the supply gap.
The system designed by Nidec ASI is unique in the industry because it uses an innovative 4-pole motor model driven by PWM type inverters. Compared to traditional solutions using 2-pole motors with LCI-type inverters, the installation is able to offer increased operability and high productivity, and is overall less expensive, more robust and reliable.
The entire development and production of the motors were assigned to the Nidec ASI plant in Monfalcone, Italy, and this new technology will play a leading role in the electric revolution taking place in the LNG sector, where more and more gas turbines can be replaced by electric motors with minimal environmental impact. The project thus demonstrates how technically CAPEX and OPEX emission levels can be minimized while guaranteeing even higher efficiency.
Nidec electric motors perfectly meet the decarbonization needs of the oil and gas industry, considering that more than 139 billion cubic meters of gas were burnt in 2022 alone, resulting in high CO2 levels.
“We are proud to provide our expertise and facilities to meet Europe’s urgent need for more alternative energy sources, especially LNG, and to be able to support even more ambitious investments in productivity and footprint reduction for the entire industry.” declared Dominique Llonch, CEO of Nidec ASI. “Our technologies are naturally at the heart of the ongoing green transition, and we are in fact increasing the range of these motors to 100MW from the current 45MW so that they can replace higher power turbines, reaching new standards of efficiency and productivity.”
About Nidec
Nidec Industrial Solutions (NIS) is the business platform, led by Nidec Asi, offering complete, customized electrical systems for energy efficiency in all fields. Its target markets are petrochemical, traditional and renewable energy, steel, marine and industrial automation. The multinational company specializes in heavy-duty applications with electric motors and generators up to 65 MW power (87,000 hp), electronic power converters and inverters, automation and software for industrial processes, and the retrofitting of power plants and hydroelectric generators. In addition, the company has strong know-how in the field of integrated systems for the production and storage of electrical energy (i.e. BESS) from renewable sources and their integration into electricity grids, as well as in the design and implementation of infrastructures for recharging electric cars. Finally, Nidec ASI is able to offer optimized motor control technologies and develop automation solutions for specific applications, customized to the customer’s needs.
Nidec ASI Press Office
Barabino & Partners
Fabrizio Grassi – [email protected]: +39 392 7392125
Giulia Cancellieri – [email protected]: +39 334 3970072