Energy transition potential for machine tool industry

Image caption: Franz-Xaver Bernhard, Chairman, VDW (German Machine Tool Builders’ Association).

Annual global investment in energy-related plant is set to more than double in the future, from 762 billion euros in 2020 to 1.808 billion euros in 2040. This represents an annual rise of 4.4 per cent in real terms. That was calculated in a recent study by the VDW (German Machine Tool Builders' Association), in cooperation with the Munich-based consulting firm, Strategy Engineers. As the researchers confirm, there are several promising areas for the machine tool industry. These include the production of gearboxes and bearings for wind energy, core components (such as compressors, pumps and valves for electrolysis), fuel cells and large numbers of heat pumps. 

The aim of the study was to examine the opportunities and challenges arising for the machine tool industry as a result of the energy transition. The study looks at the entire energy value chain of electricity – from generation via distribution through to storage. Renewable energy has a central role to play. Also considered are hydrogen, stationary and mobile fuel cells, heat pumps and carbon recovery and storage.

"The German government has declared its intention to speed up the energy transition process – which has significantly raised the pressure. Greater efforts are needed to combat man-made climate change. At the same time, the war in Ukraine is drastically illustrating how important it is to free ourselves of our dependence on fossil fuels," said Franz-Xaver Bernhard, Chairman, VDW. "Available exclusively to our members, the study provides timely guidance on how worthwhile it is for machine tool manufacturers to expand their customer base to include the power industry," Bernhard added. 

The power sector is responsible for a quarter of CO₂ emissions. It therefore has a major role to play in the reduction of pollutants. Many industrialised countries have committed themselves to the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees by 2050, but massive investment will be required to achieve this. Key solutions include expanding low-emission energy sources, upgrading the power grid and developing a hydrogen economy. 

Major investment is therefore being made in zero-emission technologies such as solar and wind power, as well as in enabling technologies for the energy transition (such as power grid expansion, carbon emission reduction (CCUS), the establishment of a hydrogen economy and heat pumps).

• The development of renewable energy sources (wind power, solar power, hydropower) currently accounts for 288 billion euros of investment, a figure which is set to rise to 569 billion euros by 2040.
• Investment will need to be made in the future on securing global power supplies in the face of increasing volatility due to the increase in renewable energy sources. As a result, investment in the power grid will rise from around 220 billion euros at present to more than  600 billion euros in 2040.
• Similarly, major growth is expected in the development of a hydrogen economy and the expansion of carbon capture/storage technologies, including power-to-X technologies, where the political will to promote the technologies will be crucial.
• There is great demand for “transitional technologies” such as nuclear and gas-fired power plants to ensure base and peak load capability, and an undisputed need for their further development. Investment in these technologies will depend heavily on regional political developments. There will be a significant worldwide decrease in investment in emission-intensive technologies (such as coal-fired power generation) by 2040.

"But that's not all; the variety of applications and technologies makes it necessary to consider the individual areas in detail to identify potential areas of machine tool use," explained Bernhard. The VDW study does this by analysing demand for the machine tools needed to machine the relevant components in the individual segments. Metal components which involve a high degree of machining, and have exacting tolerances and surface quality demands, are required especially for mechanical conversion in gas, steam and water power plants as well as in wind turbines and flywheel storage systems.

“Accordingly, the greatest potential is offered by wind turbine components which involve sophisticated gearbox, tracking system and large-bearing production processes. This is further reinforced by the trend towards ever more powerful plants. Also relevant is the construction of gas turbines for power generation in gas and steam power plants. Finally, high volumes of many overlapping peripheral components (such as pumps, compressors, generators, bearings, valves, tanks and pipes) are required,” said the VDW.

Heat pumps used for heating buildings are of particular interest on account of the large volumes involved. In the future, the focus will shift to components for the expansion of the hydrogen economy (such as compressors and stack end plates for electrolysis, and mobile and stationary fuel cells). Beyond the generation, storage and distribution of power itself, potential also lies in automation technology to produce photovoltaic modules, battery cells and fuel or electrolysis stacks. Energy distribution requirements, for example in transport vehicles or special ships, as well as machines to produce components for the implementation of the energy turnaround complete the demand. 

“Overall, the energy sector does not currently feature strongly in machine tool sales. However, the projected 3.6 per cent real growth per year of the relevant market segment until 2040 is significantly above the average longer-term global market growth for machine tools (1.1 per cent). The study shows that the considerable growth predicted for the power industry up to 2040 offers clear potential for manufacturers," VDW Chairman Bernhard summed up.

"It is especially worthwhile for companies that are already active in the power industry and/or are looking to diversify their customer base to consider the study results carefully. They provide valuable information that is not available anywhere else at this level of detail," he concluded. 

The German machine tool industry ranks among the five largest specialist groupings in the mechanical engineering sector. Due to its key role for industrial production, its development is an important indicator for the economic dynamism of the industrial sector as such. In 2021, with an average of 64,500 employees (firms with more than 50 staff), the sector produced machines and services worth around 12.7 billion euros. See www.vdw.de