Dr Ralf Plieninger reflects on the development of Torqeedo's flagship drive system and looks ahead
by Tess Smallridge 18 Sep 2020 01:39 PDT
Dr. Ralf Plieninger © Christian Brecheis
Torqeedo today released an interview in which Dr Ralf Plieninger, managing director of Torqeedo GmbH, discussed Torqeedo's 15-year history of creating the technology for electric mobility on the water and the development of Torqeedo's most powerful drive system: Deep Blue 100i.
Plieninger identified system integration as the most critical issue in developing safe and reliable electric drive systems. He also pointed out Torqeedo's global service network and the company's institutional knowledge as key differentiators: "After 15 years and 100,000 motors, we've built up expertise in every aspect of electric mobility. We use this experience to build in reliability."
The Deep Blue family of products includes inboard, outboard and saildrive motors from 25 kW to 100 kW, batteries with technology by BMW i, and a complete energy storage and management system which allows solar integration, hydrogeneration or even a hybrid configuration. Deep Blue also offers a variety of throttles, displays and controls, making it the only complete, modular electric drive system available on the market today.
The company also released a new video featuring a clean, silent electric version of the K-625 by Kaiser Bootsmanufaktur installed with Deep Blue 100i 2500, which is specifically designed and constructed to power planing motorboats. The system's reliable, easy-to-maintain direct-drive design delivers extraordinary performance at its full power range, with up to 2,700 rpm and incredible torque delivered at low rpm. The lightweight speedboat reaches top speeds of 60 km/h powered by a single 40 kWh Deep Blue battery.
"Our market research showed that our customers on inland lakes would enjoy a little more top-end speed for watersports," explained Plieninger. "But, more importantly, looking at both our business plan and from the sustainability aspect, we can now support larger commercial transport and workboats that have a real need for more power."
Deep Blue 100i is also available in a 900-rpm version suitable for heavy displacement vessels, water taxis and ferries. "Because these boats are used all day, every day, the positive climate impact is multiplied," said Plieninger.