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Description
InDigital SA Technology is a Greek ICT services provider (incl. for applications related to Neural Networks and Machine Learning techniques). Indigital has recently focused on projects related to Public Road Transportations.
Even though emission targets set by the EU are becoming increasingly strict, Greece, as other countries in the EU and internationally, has an large and aging fleet of internal combustion engine buses, which is difficult to replace with electric buses mainly due to the high cost that this would entail.
The main objective for project BUS2GREEN by InDigital SA Technology is to reduce the environmental footprint of public transportation in Greece, Europe and abroad. The R&D project aims to design and develop a "hybridization kit" for road-based public transportation (mostly buses with thermal combustion engines) in urban areas, to reduce fossil fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. In addition, introduce energy-saving measures as well as energy production and storage solutions in conventional vehicles.
The project has two partners; Dimosthenes Stampas & SIA EE (“Power Sales”) and Democritus University of Thrace (DUTH). In the frame of BUS2GREEN project, PowerSales shall undertake the prototyping of the proposed concept. DUTH shall provide the necessary technology transfer in terms of modeling, simulation and design of the solution.
Through the project, 4 new jobs will be created, 1 IPR and a significant decrease in emissions in the fields where the solution can be implemented. The project will result in increased competitiveness and revenues for IndDigital SA Technology in Greece.
Summary of project results
Even though emission targets set by the EU are becoming increasingly strict, Greece, as other countries in the EU and internationally, has an large and aging fleet of internal combustion engine buses, which is difficult to fully replace with electric buses mainly due to the high cost that this would entail.
The main objective for project BUS2GREEN by InDigital SA Technology is to reduce the environmental footprint of public transportation in Greece, Europe and abroad. The R&D project aims to design and develop a "hybridization kit" for road-based public transportation (mostly buses with thermal combustion engines) in urban areas, to reduce fossil fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. The "kit" will also introduce energy-saving measures as well as energy production and storage solutions in conventional vehicles.
The project developed a "hybridization kit" for conventional, internal combustion engine city buses. The kit comprised of solar panels installed on the roof of the bus, semi-transparent panels installed on the bus side windows, energy storage through the bus battery system, a smart algorithm that dictates streamlines and optimises energy production, consumption and storage, as well as a digital remote-control platform to monitor the operation and performance of the buses'' microgeneration system (micro-grid). The aim of the kit is to cover the buses'' electricity needs, which are currently supported through electricity generated by the bus diesel engine, therefore increasing efficiency and reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
The kit was tested in the lab through the run of extensive simulations, and then also pilot-tested on city buses operated by OSY (Transport for Athens). The objective of the trials is twofold: firstly, to calculate the fuel savings achieved by reducing the consumption of diesel fuel for supplying the electric loads of the bus, and secondly, to assess the environmental benefits resulting from the avoidance of emissions of hazardous pollutants through the reduction of diesel consumption. The main electrical loads of the bus that are supported by the hybridization kit are external bus lights, internal bus lighting, telemetry, ticket cancellation system, ventilators and security video recording system.
The pilot test validated that the kit results in significant fuel savings (fuel consumption was reduced by 13.9%), that equates to about 4,500 litres of diesel saved annually per bus. The test was conducted during spring, so the savings may be reduced during winter, unless more solar panels can be installed. Initially the plan was to install 5 panels on the bus rooftop, but 2 had to subsequently be removed due to safety regulations (as they were blocking two emergency exits). However, it may be possible to reinstall them with some adjustments.
In order to accurately calculate the cost and payback period of the proposed investment, as well as assessing its environmental footprint based on diesel energy savings, a life cycle cost analysis (LCCA) was executed. Conducted over a 25-year period for a single bus, the analysis considers key financial parameters including the initial cost of about 22,000 €/ system, annual maintenance costs of 6,000 €, and battery replacement costs. The study explores three scenarios for diesel price increases (current price, 2.5% annual increase, and 3.5% annual increase) to estimate the annual operating costs and energy savings, in order to determine the investment payback period
The payback period ranges from 3 to 4 years, with increasing profits over 25 years varying from 132,237 € to 344,805 €, depending on the diesel price scenario. The environmental impact assessment points out significant reductions in emissions, with annual decreases 6.35 kg in CO, 1,613 kg in CO2, 1.02 kg in NOx, and 0.33 kg in HC for one bus installation.
These results highlight the system''s potential to increase sustainability and efficiency, reduce fuel consumption and C)2 emissions on a large scale, as well as generate savings for the transport authorities, especially if they are widely installed in urban bus fleets.