The Next Frontier: Aluminium Extrusion's Potential in Emerging Renewable Energy Markets

Governments, industries and consumers are driving this global shift towards cleaner, greener alternatives to traditional fossil fuels. India must also substantially ramp up its annual capacity addition to meet its ambitious target of 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030.

April 04, 2024. By News Bureau

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Aluminium Extrusion

Jindal Aluminium Limited

In an era marked by increasing awareness about climate change and the urgent need to transition towards sustainable energy sources, the renewable energy market is taking centre stage. Governments, industries and consumers are driving this global shift towards cleaner, greener alternatives to traditional fossil fuels. India must also substantially ramp up its annual capacity addition to meet its ambitious target of 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030. Achieving this monumental goal requires a concerted effort across various sectors, focusing on exploring new opportunities for developing innovative solutions and propelling the nation toward a greener future. At the heart of this transition lies aluminium extrusion, a versatile metal engineered to provide immense potential to support renewable energy initiatives.

Exploring the Aluminium Extruded Products
As the world explores new prospects within the renewable energy sector, it needs a lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and durable metal to enable innovation. Engineered aluminium is playing a central role in driving the development of efficient and eco-friendly renewable energy solutions. Aluminium extrusion involves shaping aluminium alloys into desired profiles by forcing the material through a die under high pressure. This process offers numerous advantages, ingraining the metal with unique qualities such as corrosion resistance, lightweightness and exceptional conductivity, making aluminium an ideal choice for renewable energy applications. Moreover, aluminium boasts a remarkable reusability trait that can be repurposed indefinitely without losing its inherent properties, and roughly 75 per cent of all aluminium ever manufactured remains in circulation. As emerging renewable energy markets continue to expand, aluminium extrusion products are ready to tackle the distinctive challenges encountered by these sectors, presenting pioneering solutions for sustainable energy generation. Wind turbine components and solar panel systems are prime examples of innovative products born from aluminium extrusion, further solidifying its indispensable role in shaping the future of renewable energy.

Applications of Aluminium Extruded Products in Wind Power
In wind power, extruded aluminium products play a crucial role in enhancing the efficiency and performance of turbines. Lightweight aluminium alloys are increasingly used in constructing wind turbine blades, offering a high strength-to-weight ratio that assembles larger and more efficient blades capable of capturing greater wind energy. Additionally, aluminium extruded components are utilized in turbine tower platforms, particularly in offshore wind farms where this metal's remarkable corrosion resistance and durability have proven invaluable assets. Given India's position as the fourth-largest installed onshore wind energy capacity worldwide, totalling 42.8 GW, these extruded products are poised to catalyze a transformative wave in this industry.

Extruded Aluminium's Contribution to Solar Energy
In the solar energy sector, extruded aluminium products are useful in making photovoltaic (PV) solar panels. Aluminium-based products, comprising frames and mounting structures for assembling and supporting PV panels, comprise 85 per cent of the components in photovoltaic (PV) systems. Aluminium alloy frames provide solid structural support for solar panels, while extruded mounting systems facilitate their installation, ensuring optimal positioning of these panels for maximum sunlight exposure. These extruded products in utility-scale solar farms offer unique advantages, including structural strength, thermal conductivity and corrosion resistance. Such impressive properties contribute to improved performance and longevity, ultimately enhancing the efficiency of the solar energy generation ecosystem.

The Way Forward
The future of aluminium-extruded products used in renewable energy appears promising. Continued advancements in extrusion technology are expected to drive further innovation in this sector, making engineered aluminium an increasingly integral component of renewable energy infrastructure. Enhanced precision and control in the aluminium extrusion process will result in the development of lighter, stronger and more durable components for wind turbines, solar panels and other renewable energy systems. Furthermore, ongoing research efforts are focused on optimizing the use of recovered aluminium in extrusion processes, further bolstering the sustainability credentials of renewable energy infrastructure.

By embracing this growing trend, companies such as Jindal Aluminium are paving the way for a cleaner, more sustainable future for future generations. As the renewable energy industry continues to evolve, the time to harness the power of aluminium extrusion is now and together; we can make a lasting impact on the future of clean energy production.

- A S Ganesan, Associate Vice President, Domestic Marketing & Sales, Jindal Aluminium Limited