Our colleague Max from the Application Engineering team
provides a glimpse behind the scenes

Anyone who talks to Max Wunsch about his work at Torqeedo immediately realizes that this is someone with real passion at work. As part of the Application Engineering team, he and his five colleagues ensure that an idea on paper becomes a functioning drive system on the water. In this interview, he tells us what particularly excites him about his work.

"When you're on the water, what do you enjoy most?"

"I like the phenomenon of sailing itself, moving with the wind. But also the peace and quiet on the water. Everything is endless, I find that beautiful."

"What role does sustainability play in your job?"

"Sustainability plays a major role. The topic is becoming increasingly important, especially in large-scale projects in city centers, where passenger ferries are operated electrically, for example. It is also anchored in our corporate values: Powerful movement on water with respect for our natural and human environment."

"Good keyword! How do you translate your company values Pleasure, Power and Respect?"

"Pleasure is quite clear: I'm fascinated by the maritime sector, I like boats and I like travelling fast across the water in a sports boat."
And Power? We use the power of our batteries and motors to propel boats, but we also use solar power to recharge our systems.
For me, respect means respect for the environment, including noise emissions, especially for people in city centers and the marine life.

"What would you say are the advantages of an e-drive?"

"Similar to the electric car, we have more power and much more torque in the lower speed range. With an electric drive, I can fully utilize the torque everywhere. This is a particular advantage when manoeuvring in harbors and has a positive effect on the driving experience. E-drives are also an advantage for large boats such as sailing catamarans. Six to ten kW of solar power can be installed on the roofs, covering the entire on-board consumption and enabling better energy management without running generators or vibrating anything on board. Our electric drives are also very easy to integrate into existing systems. For example, we have customers who build unmanned ships and boats, which mainly involve surveying the seabed or collecting weather data. An electric motor is much easier to control from third-party components and only requires an energy source in the form of a battery."

"Starting in 2025, only emission-free boats will be allowed on Amsterdam’s canals. Cities and countries worldwide are increasingly embracing sustainable mobility and promoting electric propulsion. What opportunities does this present?"

"This is a great opportunity to make cities more sustainable. Electric boat propulsion not only reduces harmful emissions but also significantly lowers noise pollution. Especially in a growing metropolis like Amsterdam, where more and more people use the waterways for transport and leisure, this transition is a major benefit. For example, three years ago, Berlin converted its first canal boat, Oranje Nassau, to an electric drive. Today, it transports hundreds of people through the city center every day. The nearly 20-meter-long vessel is powered by a Torqeedo Deep Blue 50i electric motor and three lithium-ion batteries with a total storage capacity of 120 kWh."

"What else makes your products special?"

"Our Deep Blue system has a very high output of up to 100 kW. It acts as a central on-board system and is the interface for all other electrical components on board a ship. The advantage of this system is that we are very flexible. Because no two systems that we install are ever the same. But there are also our Travel and Cruise motors for the leisure sector, which anyone can install on their own boat in just a few steps. And all require just little maintenance."

"So, you could say that each of your systems is a customized solution?"

"In the high-voltage sector, yes. Because every customer has different requirements for the drive system. And we provide support in order to offer the best possible solution."

"What makes Torqeedo systems so innovative?"

"It's not just the drive itself, it's about the overall system. A lot of thought goes into how to offer such a system in its entirety. That is our real strength. In a series / OEM project, for example, there are particular challenges because there are different requirements for different models from one manufacturer and we can't always integrate our system in the same way. When we think about how to integrate the system, efficient integration into production / assembly lines plays a major role. If in the end the customer is so pleased with us that even a series solution is realized with it, then the project is a lot of fun."

"Is there anything you particularly love about your job?"

"What I enjoy most is the test drive after a successfully installed system. You learn something new with every commissioning and can always incorporate this experience into new projects. Basically, I also like the whole management of such a project. From the initial kick-off and lots of coordination with customers, development support or integrated new develop-ments, the best thing is when everything works as planned."

"Which project are you particularly proud of?"

"I would mention our DeAntonio project. We equipped the E23 sports boat model with one of our Torqeedo Deep Blue 50 drives for our customer. The special thing about the project was that the catamaran foiler became the official electric boat at the 37th America's Cup in Barcelona and was also honored with the Boat Builder Award. The whole project was fun and the result makes me proud."

"When you tackle a project, how do you work with partners and customers?"

"We start with a kick-off meeting. Here we clarify the basic framework conditions, present our overall system and talk about the requirements - such as journey times, performance, on-board power supply, consumers and the like. Together, we consider how the system can be integrated into the ship. The biggest challenges are always space and weight."

"Then the real work begins. During the technical realization, we check which solutions fit best and consult with the customer. This is a repetitive process, as many other trades are involved, especially in large projects. Once everything is finalized, we create the detailed documentation and start production of our system. The system is then delivered to the customer as a complete package."

Is there anything else you would like to tell us?

"The AE department is the best department there is! It's the most fun! You are very close to the final products, actively involved and get to see our motors in action."

About Torqeedo

Torqeedo is the market leader for electric mobility on the water. Founded in 2005 in Starnberg, the company develops and manufactures electric and hybrid drive systems from 0.5 to 200 kW for commercial applications and recreational use. Torqeedo products are characterised by an uncompromising high-tech focus, maximum efficiency, system integration and solutions for a holistic energy management aboard. www.torqeedo.com