Search Results (49)

The article explores the capacity of zero-emission urban public transport (PT) and proposes a standardised method for calculating it across different PT corridors (bus, tram, metro and urban railway). As the European Union (EU) tightens regulations on emissions, targeting also PT, cities are increasingly shifting to electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles. A significant challenge was the lack of a unified methodology to calculate the capacity of zero-emission vehicles, e.g., battery-powered buses carry fewer passengers than diesel ones due to weight restrictions. The article addresses this gap by creating capacity matrices for various vehicle types based on standardised assumptions. Vehicle capacity is calculated based on seating and standing space, with standing passenger space standardised to 0.2 m²/person (E Level of Service). A detailed rolling stock analysis shows how modern designs and floor layouts impact passenger space. Matrices were developed for each mode of transport, showing the number of transported passengers per hour depending on vehicle type and service frequency. The highest capacity is achieved by metro and urban railway systems (up to 95,000+ passengers/hour/direction), while buses offer the lowest (up to 7800 passengers/hour/direction). The authors recommend standardising calculation methods and integrating matrices into planning tools for urban PT corridors. Full article

The deployment of large installed power capacities from intermittent renewable energy sources requires balancing to ensure the steady and safe operation of the electrical grid. New methods of energy storage are essential to store excess electrical power when energy is not needed and later use it during high-demand periods, both in the short and long term. Power-to-Gas (P2G) is an energy storage solution that uses electric power produced from renewables to generate gas fuels, such as hydrogen, which can be stored for later use. Hydrogen produced in this manner can be utilized in energy storage systems and in transportation as fuel for cars, trams, trains, or buses. Currently, most hydrogen is produced from fossil fuels. Solid-oxide electrolysis (SOE) offers a method to produce clean hydrogen without harmful emissions, being the most efficient of all electrolysis methods. The objective of this work is to determine the optimal operational parameters of an SOE system, such as lower heating value (LHV)-based efficiency and total input power, based on calculations from a mathematical model. The results are provided for three different operating temperature levels and four different steam utilization ratios. The introductory chapter outlines the motivation and background of this work. The second chapter explains the basics of electrolysis and describes its different types. The third chapter focuses on solid-oxide electrolysis and electrolyzer systems. The fourth chapter details the methodology, including the mathematical formulations and software used for simulations. The fifth chapter presents the results of the calculations with conclusions. The final chapter summarizes this work. Full article

This article presents a review of renewable energy systems in Latin America, highlighting recent advances aimed at transforming electricity markets to make them more environmentally sustainable. The transition of energy systems in these countries is closely linked to policies and legislation that promote the adoption of renewable energy, guided by roadmaps that facilitate planning and decision-making processes. Transportation stands out as a crucial sector in these transition efforts, and support for renewable energy is already driving significant changes in several continents, albeit with different levels of impact. The analysis involved a review of 180 articles published in ScienceDirect since 2000, focused on renewable energy systems in Latin America. Among them, only 40 scientific articles were identified that specifically address electric mobility systems for mass transportation, such as trams and railways, that is environmentally friendly. Currently, their contribution in Latin America is only 1.7%, and it is expected that they will play a fundamental role in the energy transition in 2050, contributing 9.3% within the electrified transportation sector. The results of the research revealed that Brazil, Cuba, Ecuador, Colombia, and Costa Rica are the countries that have carried out the most high-impact research in relation to mobility systems with 100% renewable energy systems. In Latin America, there is a limited number of authors focused on massive electric propulsion systems. The purpose of this research is to provide an overview of the energy situation related to electric propulsion systems for transport in South American countries. Full article

The influence of mobility modes within Positive Energy Districts (PEDs) has gained limited attention, despite their crucial role in reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Buildings in the European Union (EU) account for 40% of energy consumption and 36% of greenhouse gas emissions. In comparison, transport contributes 28% of energy use and 25% of emissions, with road transport responsible for 72% of these emissions. This study aims to design and optimize a synthetic PED in Istanbul that integrates renewable energy sources and public mobility systems to address these challenges. The renewable energy sources integrated into the synthetic PED model include solar energy, hydrogen energy, and regenerative braking energy from a tram system. Solar panels provided a substantial portion of the energy, while hydrogen energy contributed to additional electricity generation. Regenerative braking energy from the tram system was also utilized to further optimize energy production within the district. This system powers a middle school, 10 houses, a supermarket, and the tram itself. Optimization techniques, including Linear Programming (LP) for economic purposes and the Weighted Sum Method (WSM) for environmental goals, were applied to balance cost and CO₂ emissions. The LP method identified that the PED model can achieve cost competitiveness with conventional energy grids when hydrogen costs are below $93.16/MWh. Meanwhile, the WSM approach demonstrated that achieving a minimal CO₂ emission level of 5.74 tons requires hydrogen costs to be $32.55/MWh or lower. Compared to a conventional grid producing 97 tons of CO₂ annually, the PED model achieved reductions of up to 91.26 tons. This study contributes to the ongoing discourse on sustainable urban energy systems by addressing key research gaps related to the integration of mobility modes within PEDs and offering insights into the optimization of renewable energy sources for reducing emissions and energy consumption. Full article

In the current era of energy conservation and emission reduction, the development of electric and other new energy vehicles is booming. With their various attributes, lithium batteries have become the ideal power source for new energy vehicles. However, lithium-ion batteries are highly sensitive to temperature changes. Excessive temperatures, either high or low, can lead to abnormal operation of the batteries, posing a threat to the safety of the entire vehicle. Therefore, developing a reliable and efficient Battery Thermal Management System (BTMS) that can monitor battery status and prevent thermal runaway is becoming increasingly important. In recent years, deep learning has gradually become widely applied in various fields as an efficient method, and it has also been applied to some extent in the development of BTMS. In this work, we discuss the basic principles of deep learning and related optimization principles and elaborate on the algorithmic principles, frameworks, and applications of various advanced deep learning methods in BTMS. We also discuss several emerging deep learning algorithms proposed in recent years, their principles, and their feasibility in BTMS applications. Finally, we discuss the obstacles faced by various deep learning algorithms in the development of BTMS and potential directions for development, proposing some ideas for progress. This paper aims to analyze the advanced deep learning technologies commonly used in BTMS and some emerging deep learning technologies and provide new insights into the current combination of deep learning technology in new energy trams to assist the development of BTMS. Full article

This study presents an energy regeneration model and some theory required to construct a regeneration braking system. Due to the effects of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions, there is increasing interest in the use of electric vehicles (EVs), electric bikes, electric bicycles, electric buses and electric aircraft globally. In order to promote the use of electric transportation systems, there is a need to underscore the impact of net zero emissions. The development of EVs requires regenerating braking system. This study presents the advantages of regenerative braking. This system is globally seen in applications such as electric cars, trams, and trains. In this study, the design specification, design methodology, testing configurations, Simulink model, and recommendations will be outlined. A unique element of this work is the practical experiment that was carried out using 1.5 Amps with no load and 2.15 Amps with a load. The discharge voltage was purely from the 22 W bulb load connected to the capacitor bank as we limited this study to the use of 1.5 Amps and it took 15 min for a full discharge cycle, after which no charge was left in the capacitor bank. The results showed that the discharge rate and charging rate for the regenerative braking system were effective but could be improved. The objective of this paper is to investigate how a supercapacitor works alongside a battery in regenerative braking applications. This study demonstrates that the superconductor used can deliver maximum power when required. Also, it can also withstand elevated peaks in charging or discharging current via the supercapacitor. Combining a battery with a supercapacitor reduces the abrupt load on the battery by shifting it to the capacitor. When these two combinations are used in tandem, the battery pack’s endurance and lifespan are both boosted. Full article

Population and tourism growth has increased congestion, collisions, climate harming emissions, and transport inequities in the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia (B.C.), Canada. Surveys indicate a willingness among residents to switch from cars to public transit featuring better service levels and connections. We conducted an analysis on the economic feasibility of an Okanagan Valley Electric Regional Passenger Rail (OVER PR) powered by zero-emission (ZE) Fuel Cell/Battery Hybrid Rail (Hydrail) technology along a 342-km route between Osoyoos, B.C., at the US Border and Kamloops, B.C., the Canadian VIA rail hub. Hydrail passenger light-rail has operated successfully since 2018 in Germany and was demonstrated in Quebec, Canada, in 2023. Technical analyses have confirmed the feasibility in B.C. on steep Highway (Hwy) 97 grades and mountainous weather, with mode shift forecasts in the range of 30%. OVER PR economic analyses were also favorable, with net present value (NPV) = CAD 40 billion (CDN, base year 2023), benefit–cost ratio (BCR) = 9:1, and Return on Investments (IRR) = 33% over 30 years. Subject to additional stakeholder consultations and final design reviews, these results were tested against risks using Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS) and Reference-Class Forecasting (RCF), including worst-case risks such as 70% cost over-runs. OVER PR promises an economic transition to clean energy, sustainable transportation, and more livable communities, benefiting all Valley communities through greater transportation equity. Full article

Public transportation systems, including trams and buses, play a crucial role in urban traffic. However, these traditional modes of transport have some well-known drawbacks, such as long distances between stops, lengthy waiting times, and a lack of privacy. In response to these challenges, an innovative mobility concept called “FLAIT-train” offers potential solutions. The FLAIT-train operates on regular roads and aims to provide DOOR-2-DOOR transport, addressing the issues associated with fixed stops and offering increased accessibility and convenience. In its initial phase, the FLAIT-train operates on exclusive lanes, but it is designed to integrate with other traffic eventually. The vehicle technology of FLAIT-trains closely resembles that of battery electric autonomous vehicles. To assess whether FLAIT-trains can be used as a suitable alternative to conventional public transportation systems, this paper employs traffic simulations that consider key performance indicators, including the average waiting time per passenger, maximum waiting time of a single passenger, average in-vehicle time per passenger, and average occupancy rate of the vehicles. Using SUMO software (“Simulation of Urban Mobility”, version 1.12.0), a night bus service scenario is meticulously designed and generated. Within this scenario, both FLAIT-trains and conventional buses are simulated under identical conditions and based on statistical data. Full article

Booming population and tourism have increased congestion, collisions, climate-harming emissions, and transport inequities in The Okanagan Valley, Canada. Surveys suggest that over 30% of residents would shift from cars back to public transit and intercity tram–trains if regional service and connections were improved. Intercity streetcars (aka light-rail tram–trains) have not run in Canada since their replacement in the 1950′s by the national highway system. UBC researchers analyzed a tram–train service fashioned after the current Karlsruhe model but powered by zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell/battery hybrid rail power (hydrail) technology, along a 342 km route between Osoyoos, B.C. at the US Border and Kamloops, B.C., the Canadian VIA rail hub. Hydrail trains have operated successfully since 2018 in Germany and were demonstrated in Quebec, Canada in 2023. However, hydrail combined with tram–train technology has never been tried in Canada. Single-train simulations (STSs) confirmed its technical feasibility, showing a roughly 8 h roundtrip travel time, at an average train velocity of 86 km/h. Each hydrail tram–train consumed 2400 kWh of energy, translating to 144 kg of hydrogen fuel per roundtrip. In total, five tons of H₂/day would be consumed over 16 h daily by the 16-tram–train-vehicle fleet. The results provide valuable insights into technical aspects and energy requirements, serving as a foundation for future studies and decision-making processes in developing zero-emission passenger tram–train services not just for Okanagan Valley communities but all of Canada and NA. Full article

This study focuses on minimizing fuel consumption of a fuel cell hybrid tram, operated with electric power from both the fuel cell stack and the energy storage system, by optimizing energy distribution between distinct energy sources. In the field of fuel cell hybrid system application, dealing with real-world optimal control implementation becomes more important. Some ‘online control’ strategies optimize energy management by measuring the current battery’s state and planning for future cycles. However, its dependence on stochastic processes remains a limitation for adapting ‘online control’ even when driving in the same way. In order to optimize energy distribution robustly during the tram’s repetitive cycle operation, we develop a practical control map with a fuel cell hybrid tram simulation model and conduct energy distribution. The control map is based on a mathematical equivalent consumption minimization strategy (ECMS) equation reflecting the characteristics of the fuel cell stack and electric cells. The comparison of fuel consumption with another practical control strategy optimized for a specific railway cycle shows that the suggested map-based optimal control achieves a reduction in fuel consumption while satisfying a boundary condition. Full article

The Mediterranean region is a hot spot for climate change, with transportation accounting for a quarter of global CO₂ emissions. To meet the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a sustainable urban transport network is needed to cut carbon emissions and improve air quality. This study aims to investigate the electrification of public transport in both developed and underdeveloped countries by examining the existing public transport network of two modes of transportation (buses and trams) across the Mediterranean region. This study suggests that the electrification of public transportation could result in a significant additional demand for more than 200 GWh of electricity, depending on the size and congestion of the city. It also studies the potential reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through the electrification of buses. Results show that electrification significantly impacts decreasing GHG emissions, helping achieve SDG 13. Furthermore, a financial analysis was conducted to determine the feasibility of using different bus fuel technologies. Regarding economic benefits, electric buses are not consistently optimal solutions, and diesel buses can be advantageous. Our finding shows that, at a 5% discount rate, the diesel bus is most favorable for Marseille, and, as discount rates increase, the advantage of electric buses diminishes. However, the high purchase price of electric buses compared to diesel buses is currently a major obstacle in achieving SDG 11, particularly for developing countries. Full article

The electrification of transport is expected to progressively replace significant shares of light duty mobility, especially in large cities. The European Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) aims to drive the adoption of electric mobility by establishing specific targets for charging point deployment. Innovative charging concepts may complement and accelerate the uptake of this fundamental part of the urban mobility transition. In this paper, one such innovative concept is described and its potential impact is assessed. The core idea involves integrating charging points into existing city tramway infrastructures. Turin’s tramway network is taken as a representative case study. The proposed technical solution encompasses a charging hub powered by four isolated DC/DC converters of 50 kW, directly connected to the DC tramway distribution line. Three of these constitute the heart of a 150 kW charger, while the fourth acts as voltage regulator. This native DC installation greatly simplifies the architecture of the DC chargers. Using a conservative approach, it was estimated that a single recharging station could charge more than 60 vehicles daily. This highly scalable and replicable solution, with the potential for over 100 conversion substations across Italy, would enable the installation of numerous high-power chargers in urban settings. Furthermore, additional benefits could be realized through enhanced recovery of kinetic energy from trams, which is currently dissipated on-board. Full article

Energy savings in electric rail transport are important in order to increase energy efficiency and reduce its carbon footprint. This can be achieved by storing and using the energy generated during regenerative braking. The system described in this paper consists of a supercapacitor energy storage system (SC ESS), a bidirectional DC/DC converter, and an algorithm to control the energy flow. The proper design of the algorithm is critical for maximizing energy savings and stabilizing the power grid, and it affects the lifetime of the SC ESS. This paper presents an energy flow control algorithm based on Pontryagin’s minimum principle that balances maximum energy savings with maximum SC ESS lifetime. The algorithm also performs SC ESS recharging while the rail vehicle stops on inclines to reduce the impact of its next acceleration on the power grid. To validate the algorithm, offline simulations are performed using real tram speed measurements. The results are then verified with a real-time laboratory emulation setup with HIL simulation. The tram and power grid are emulated with LiFePO4 batteries, while the SC ESS is emulated with a supercapacitor. The proposed algorithm controls a three-phase converter that enables energy exchange between the batteries and the supercapacitor. The results show that the proposed algorithm is feasible in real time and that it can be used under real operating conditions. Full article

This study shows the concept of an innovative road and rail vehicle as a new form of public transport. Our literature review shows that the idea of a “smart city” contains not only new tools but also vehicles or infrastructure. The new vehicle is proposed based on the observed development of urban public transport means and other novel solutions. A slight innovation proposed here could allow the use of typical and operated tram routes for modified buses. A new type of vehicle could use both the existing tram routes and newly constructed sections with no tracks. It is assumed that new vehicles would drive with trams on the same, shared tracks. All of the conditions should reduce the costs of developing public transport networks in many cities where tram networks already exist. This paper contains a description of the idea and a potential case study location. The implementation conditions are outlined in the Discussion section. The title’s question is also considered there: “Should smart cities introduce a new form of public transport vehicles?” In addition, the potential benefits as well as threats are presented. Conclusions define the next steps for the research. So, this paper is an introduction to the wider research. It will popularize the idea of a new vehicle and could motivate the industry to construct a prototype. At this stage, no models or detailed calculations were conducted. Full article

Driving a tram in city traffic is a challenging task. It is especially difficult to drive smoothly (without unnecessary jerks) when the route runs through streets with many other vehicles, pedestrians, and traffic lights. A smooth driving style of the tram driver not only has a significant impact on the comfort of passengers being transported, but also affects the energy consumption of the tram. The paper focuses on the analysis of the tram driver’s way of driving and the resulting energy savings. The energy consumption of the tram was measured depending on the driver’s driving technique. For the analysis of the driving technique, an innovative electronic device was proposed to be installed on the tram. It detects jerks in the lateral and longitudinal directions. Based on vibration analysis, it evaluates the driver’s driving technique on an ongoing basis and displays the result of this assessment. The device is cheap and uses a popular minicomputer, a GPS system receiver, an IMU accelerometer, and a screen. It is independent of the electronic systems of the tram. Due to this, it is possible to increase passenger comfort and reduce electricity consumption. It can be useful when learning to drive a tram. Preliminary tests of this device were carried out on a real tram during rides with passengers in city traffic. Tests have confirmed its effectiveness. Full article