The juxtaposition of our future electrification solutions : a view into the unsustainable life cycle of a permanent magnet electrical machine

Paterson, Leigh and Miscandlon, Jill and Butler, David (2024) The juxtaposition of our future electrification solutions : a view into the unsustainable life cycle of a permanent magnet electrical machine. Sustainability, 16 (7). 2681. ISSN 2071-1050 (https://doi.org/10.3390/su16072681)

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Abstract

Electrification is increasing in prevalence due to the importance placed on it for achieving global net zero targets. This has led to the proliferation of electrical mobility, including the wide-scale production of passenger vehicles, personal mobility devices and recent announcements regarding electrically powered aircraft, as well as in energy production. Electrical machines provide a cleaner source of energy during operation in comparison to their traditional fossil-based alternatives. The uncertainty and lack of transparency hanging over these green credentials can be attributed to how these products are manufactured and then disposed of at the end of their life. For them to be a truly sustainable solution, improvements need to be made across their entire life cycle. With the projected increase in their numbers due to the advancement of electrification, this current life cycle is not sustainable, directly opposing the intention of these products. This paper will introduce the current demand and challenges. It will also present these motors broken down into their constituent parts and follow each through their typical lifecycle. This paper presents the typical current life cycle of permanent magnet electrical machines, demonstrating the environmental issues associated with the current linear life cycle, and proposing alternative practices, to ease the environmental burden.

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