Danfoss Drives- Experts & Thought Leaders

Danfoss Drives’ Hannes Leichtfried has been elected to serve on the National Electrical Manufacturers Association’s (NEMA) Board of Governors. NEMA announced the election of three new board members and three new officers on November 13, following its 2024 Annual Meeting. Hannes Leichtfried  Hannes Leichtfried, an industry veteran and current Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Danfoss Drives in North America, brings nearly 30 years of experience in electrification to the position.  He will serve a three-year term alongside executives from companies, such as Cisco Systems, Siemens, Schneider Electric, and Rockwell Automation. advancing electrical manufacturing “I am honored to join the NEMA Board of Governors and look forward to working with my colleagues to help advance electrical manufacturing,” said Hannes Leichtfried, adding “As industries move closer to electrification to achieve our climate goals, it is vital that Danfoss and other manufacturers work together to advocate for a safe and efficient transition.” (NEMA) represents over 300 electrical equipment and medical imaging manufacturers, which collectively contribute 1% of U.S. GDP and directly provide nearly 460,000 American jobs, contributing more than $250 billion to the U.S. economy.

Siemens Smart Infrastructure has agreed to acquire Danfoss Fire Safety, which specializes in fire suppression technology and is a subsidiary of Denmark-based Danfoss Group. The acquisition is expected to boost growth and accelerate the transition towards offering a sustainable fire safety portfolio. efficient extinguishing system Danfoss Fire Safety will report to the Buildings Business Unit, which is part of Smart Infrastructure, mainly enriching its portfolio with its high-pressure water mist, a superior and fast-growing fire suppression technology. The efficient extinguishing system is non-polluting, allowing Siemens to serve customers globally with an environmentally friendly solution. sustainability in fire suppression "With the acquisition of Danfoss Fire Safety, Siemens will be strongly positioned to cater to a shift towards sustainability in the fire suppression market. Improving our offering will position us to better address specific needs, especially in fast-growing industries such as data centers, industrial process space, and tunnels," said Susanne Seitz, CEO Buildings Business Unit at Siemens Smart Infrastructure. Susanne Seitz adds, "This strategic step will also enhance our position in the global fire safety market, paving the way for further growth."  certified fixed firefighting systems "Danfoss Fire Safety has grown into a global pioneer in the sales, development, production, and service of certified fixed firefighting systems. However, it falls outside our strategic focus," said Troels H. Petersen, Senior Vice President for Corporate M&A at Danfoss. Troels H. Petersen adds, "We are confident that the business, along with our Fire Safety colleagues, will thrive under Siemens' ownership. Our priority now is ensuring a smooth transition for our employees, customers, suppliers, and partners." Danfoss Fire Safety Since 2019, Danfoss Fire Safety has operated as a fully-owned, non-core business of Danfoss Group, and currently employs 125 people. It will continue to operate as a separate legal entity, under the banner - 'A Siemens Business'. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals, with closing expected by the end of calendar year 2024. Terms of the transaction are not disclosed.

The Fossil Free Future project is running at full steam with different projects, innovation work, and cooperation. The BEACON project is a collaborative research initiative aimed at accelerating the electrification of Non-Road Mobile Machinery (NRMM).  This two-year project, launched in April 2023, brings together a consortium of industry leaders and research institutions, spearheaded by LUT University, to develop and demonstrate next-generation fully-electric NRMMs. Fully Electric NRMMs BEACON focuses on transitioning the industry from current hybrid-electric NRMMs (1st and 2nd generation) to fully electric solutions. This ambitious goal involves developing key electrical subsystems, including: Advanced Electrical Subsystems Modelling: Utilizing a concrete converter prototype with cutting-edge Wide Bandgap (WBG) technology for enhanced efficiency and power density. High-Power Onboard Charger: Implementing a ~20kW onboard charger leveraging GaN WBG technology for faster and more efficient charging. Bi-Directional Charging: Utilizing a Dual Active Bridge (DAB) topology for vehicle-to-grid (V2G) capabilities, enabling energy storage and grid stabilization. High-Voltage Architecture: Targeting a DC voltage range of 750-800V and a switching frequency of ≥140 kHz for increased efficiency and reduced system size. Danfoss plays a crucial role in the BEACON project, contributing its expertise in power electronics and electrification solutions. Wide Band Gap (WBP) technology The BEACON project unites key players across the NRMM value chain, including LUT University "We will develop and provide electrics components needed and we are taking the next step in Wide Band Gap (WBP) technology by researching Sic&GaN semiconductor technologies and their applications in Non-Road Mobile Machineries (NRMM's)," said Tommi Kankaanranta, Project Lead in Danfoss, opens about the role. The BEACON project unites key players across the NRMM value chain, including LUT University (coordinator), Junttan, Hevtec, Logset, Valmet Automotive, MeVeA, Agco Power, Valtra, Normet, Celltech and Danfoss. high-efficiency solutions "Through this research, Danfoss is at the cutting edge of the power electronics industry by enabling reliable and high-efficiency solutions," says Tommi Kankaanranta with pride. The project's outcomes are expected to have a lasting impact on the industry, paving the way for a more sustainable and electrified future.